ABAP Keyword Documentation → ABAP Dictionary → Classic Objects in ABAP Dictionary → Data Types
Structures
A structure in ABAP Dictionary defines a structured type that contains other data types as components. These components can be:
- Elementary data types
- Reference types
- Structured types
- Table types
A structure that contains other structures as components is called a nested structure. Structure components are substructures and substructures can themselves be nested. A structure that contains a reference type or a table type as a direct or nested component is a deep structure. A structure that contains only elementary data types as a direct or nested component is a flat structure. An internal program object declared with reference to a structure is a data object structured correspondingly (or structure for short).
A structure in ABAP Dictionary can be included in another structure as an include structure, with the components of the included structure being added as the components of the including structure.
Other versions:
7.31 | 7.40 | 7.54
Notes
- The data types of database tables and classic views are all flat (not nested) structures.
- The CDS entity of a CDS view also represents a structured type and cannot be used as this sort of type in ABAP programs within ABAP Dictionary.
- Mesh types cannot currently be defined in ABAP Dictionary.
- Customizing includes and append structures are available for making enhancements to structures in ABAP Dictionary delivered by SAP, without making modifications.
Example
The structure SOADDRESS for the address of a SAPoffice user is a nested structure with substructures.
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Technical Attributes of Structures