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Physical and Logical File Names

• Physical File Names

• Logical File Names and Logical Paths

Other versions: 7.31 | 7.40 | 7.54

Physical File Names

Files are addressed in all the statements of the file interface by using the physical file name by which they are known in the particular platform. This is why a file cannot be opened more than once in the same program. The physical name of a file is usually made up of a path description and the file name itself. File names with blank spaces are permitted where the blanks are part of the file name. The actual notation depends on the operating system of the application server. Any file names that do not contain an absolute path reference the directory defined using the profile parameter DIR_HOME.

Note

File names cannot contain blanks in obsolete non-Unicode programs.

Logical File Names and Logical Paths

Logical file names and logical paths support both cross-platform programs and secure programs. Logical file names and logical paths can be created as follows and associated with the actual physical file names for each platform:

• Non-client-specific logical file names with transaction FILE.

• Client-specific logical file names with customizing activity SF01.

The following function modules and methods are available for the use of logical file names in programs:

• Using the FILE_GET_NAME function module it is possible to, for a logical file name, ascertain the physical file name or directory valid for the current platform and use it in statements of the file interface.

• Input fields for logical file names in SAP GUI are supported by the function modules FILE_LOGFILE_ALIAS_PBO, FILE_LOGFILE_ALIAS_PAI, and FILE_LOGFILE_ALIAS_F4. These modules create an appropriate list box, check the value entered, and produce a suitable input help.

Notes

• Logical file names are one way of validating file names and securing a program against attack by directory traversal.

• More information about logical file names and logical paths is available in the

SAP NetWeaver documentation in SAP Help Portal.

• The class CL_FS_PATH contains methods to analyze, transform, or create file names and path entries.