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ABAP Keyword Documentation →  ABAP - Release-Specific Changes →  Changes in Release 6.20 

System Classes and Methods in Release 6.20


1. Class for calculating with time stamps


2. Class for formatting lists

3. Error handling of exceptions

4. Methods for determining type properties

Other versions: 7.31 | 7.40 | 7.54

Modification 1

Class for Calculating with Time Stamps

Class CL_ABAP_TSTMP has been introduced for calculating with time stamps.

Modification 2

Class for Formatting Lists

Class CL_ABAP_LIST_UTILITIES has been introduced to calculate output lengths, convert values from the list buffer, and define field limits. With the return values for their methods, a correct column alignment for ABAP lists can be programmed - even when Eastern Asian scripts are displayed.

The objects in a list can be displayed in different output lengths by specifying the desired length in the menu under System → List → Unicode Display. This is of particular use with screen lists in Unicode systems where the output has been cut off - which is displayed by the characters (> or <).

Modification 3

Error Handling of Exceptions

Interfaces IF_MESSAGE and IF_SERIALIZABLE_OBJECT have been added to class CX_ROOT, the global superclass for all exceptions. You edit texts from classes that implement these interfaces as message texts. Using method GET_LONG_TEXT, the long text for an exception text is provided.

Modification 4

Methods for Determining Type Properties

For determining type properties at runtime (RTTI), two new methods have been introduced in class CL_ABAP_DATADESCR:

  • Method IS_READ_ONLY determines whether a reference data object is write-protected.
  • Method APPLIES_TO_DATA_REF executes a type check between the description and the data object. This makes it possible to determine the compatibility of data objects.