ABAP Keyword Documentation → ABAP − Reference → Program Flow Logic → Expressions and Functions for Conditions → log_exp - Logical Expressions → rel_exp - Predicates → rel_exp - Predicate Expressions

rel_exp - IS INITIAL

Other versions: 7.31 | 7.40 | 7.54

Syntax


... operand IS [NOT] INITIAL ...

Effect

This predicate expression checks whether the operand operand is initial. The expression is true, if the operand contains its type-dependent initial value. Any data objects can be specified for operand. This is an extended functional operand position in which, alongside functional method calls, constructor expressions, or table expressions, certain built-in functions can also be specified.

If the addition NOT is specified, the expression is true if the operand contains a value other than its type-dependent initial value

Notes

The expression IS [NOT] INITIAL is suitable for checking the type-dependent initial value (regardless of its actual data type), instead of comparing it with a type-friendly operand that contains the initial value.

If a functional method call is specified as operand, a potential short form of the following:

... operand IS NOT INITIAL ...

is a predicative method call.

It is possible, but not recommended, to always specify built-in functions or expressions as operand, for example:

It is better to use str IS INITIAL or itab IS INITIAL instead of strlen( str ) IS INITIAL or lines( itab ) IS INITIAL.

It is better to use the predicate function matches instead of match( ... ) IS INITIAL.

It is better to use the arguments of the constructor expression instead of VALUE type( ... ) IS INITIAL.

An enumerated object can be specified for operand. A check is made on the initial value in accordance with its base type.

Calculation expressions cannot be specified for operand.

Example

The logical expression in the IF statement is true if the internal table in the SELECT statement was filled with rows.

DATA spfli_tab TYPE TABLE OF spfli.
...
CLEAR spfli_tab.
SELECT *
       FROM spfli
       WHERE ...
       INTO TABLE @spfli_tab.

IF spfli_tab IS NOT INITIAL.
  ...
ENDIF.