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ABAP Keyword Documentation →  ABAP - Release-Specific Changes →  Changes in Release 6.10 

File Interface in Release 6.10

The file interface in Release 6.10 has been completely overhauled. The changes and developments affect the following topics:


1. Adapting to Unicode

2. Reading and changing file properties at runtime

3. New classes for converting files

4. Support for files larger than 2 gigabytes


5. Limiting data range when reading files

Other versions: 7.31 | 7.40 | 7.54

Modification 1

Adapting to Unicode

Extensive changes to the file interface have been made as a result of the switch to Unicode.

Modification 2

Reading and changing file properties at runtime

The statement GET DATASET ... returns both the current read or write positions and the file properties. In turn, a desired file position can be set at runtime using the statement SET DATASET .... It is also possible to change the properties of the file, but the system only applies values compatible with the opening mode.

Modification 3

New classes for converting files
Three classes have been implemented for file conversion:

  • CL_ABAP_CONV_IN_CE: Instances of
    this class enable the conversion of external binary data to valid ABAP data objects
  • CL_ABAP_CONV_OUT_CE: Instances of this class convert ABAP data objects to binary data.
  • CL_ABAP_CONV_X2X_CE: Instances of this class enable the text data of various character sets and the numeric data of various number formats to be transformed.

    • Modification 4

    Support for files larger than 2 gigabytes

    Files larger than 2 gigabytes can now be read and written on all platforms that support large files. Only the platforms OS/390 and IBM System i (previously AS/400) are currently not included in this change. Additionally, the statement OPEN DATASET has been enhanced in such a way that, when opening a file, the file pointer also addresses positions larger than 2 gigabytes.

    Modification 5

    Limiting data range when reading files

    The amount of data to be read can be limited using the addition MAXIMUM LENGTH maxlen. Depending on the mode in which the file was opened, maxlen defines the maximum number of characters or bytes that are to be read from the file.