ABAP Keyword Documentation → ABAP − Release-Specific Changes → Changes in Release 4.6A

Data Objects and Data References in Release 4.6A

In Release 4.6A references to data objects have been introduced with the following variants:

2. Creation of data objects and reference procurement

Other versions: 7.31 | 7.40 | 7.54

Modification 1

Reference variables for data objects

Previously, reference variables were only available within ABAP objects. You can now use DATA f TYPE REF TO DATA to declare f as a reference variable that points to a data object.

Modification 2

Creation of data objects and reference procurement

CREATE DATA dref ... allows you to create a new data object (field) at runtime, where dref can be any reference variable with type REF TO DATA. You can also use GET REFERENCE to get a reference to a data object (field).

Modification 3

Assignment of Referenced Fields

The statement ASSIGN dref->* TO <fs> makes the field symbol <fs> point to the same content as the data reference dref at runtime. If the field symbol is typed, the system checks the type during the assignment.