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METHOD

Short Reference

Other versions: 7.31 | 7.40 | 7.54

Syntax

METHOD meth. 
  ... 
ENDMETHOD. 

Effect

Between the statements METHOD and ENDMETHOD the function of a method declared with [CLASS-]METHODS meth is implemented in a class. The implementation of a method is only possible in an implementation part of a class that begins with CLASS class IMPLEMENTATION

Local data types and data objects can be declared within the method. It is also possible to access the formal parameters of the method and all the components of all instances of its own class. The method and its interface are defined either using the statement [CLASS-]METHODS for a local class, or in the Class Builder tool for a global class.

In instance methods, all components of the method's class and the methods instance's can also be addressed explicitly using the self reference me->, as well as using their names. In addition, all components of other instances from the method's class can be addressed using reference variables.

A method can be called statically or dynamically. For static calls, both standalone and functional call forms are available. Dynamic calls are always standalone calls.

Note

• When a method of an interface intf is implemented, meth can be specified either as the name declared in the interface (prefixed with intf~) or as an alias name of the class defined using ALIASES. The method must exist in the interface; otherwise a syntax error is produced. If intf~ is used, only a syntax warning will appear for global interfaces, so that classes are not immediately rendered invalid if an unused method is deleted from a global interface.
• The addition BY DATABASE PROCEDURE transforms a method implemented in a database-specific language (and not in ABAP) and executed in the database system to an AMDP method.
  

Example

In this example, the two methods m1 and m2 of the class c1 between METHOD and ENDMETHOD are implemented. Although the local data object a1 hides the attribute of the same name, the attribute a1 can be addressed using me->a1.

CLASS c1 DEFINITION. 
  PUBLIC SECTION. 
    METHODS m1 IMPORTING p1 TYPE string. 
  PRIVATE SECTION. 
    DATA a1 TYPE string. 
    METHODS m2. 
ENDCLASS. 
CLASS c1 IMPLEMENTATION. 
  METHOD m1. 
    a1 = p1. 
    m2( ). 
  ENDMETHOD. 
  METHOD m2. 
    DATA a1 TYPE string. 
    a1 = me->a1. 
  ENDMETHOD. 
ENDCLASS. 

Continue

METHOD - Internal Additions