Creating Domains 

Before creating a new domain, check whether a domain with the same value range already exists. In this case you should use the existing domain if possible.

Procedure

  1. Select the object type Domains in the initial screen of the ABAP Dictionary, enter the name of the domain and choose Create.

    2. The domain maintenance screen appears.

  2. Enter an explanatory short text in the field Short text.
  3. Select the data type of the domain in the field Data type.
  4. Select the Number of places, that is, the valid positions of a field without editing characters (such as commas or periods). This defines the length of all the table fields referring to this domain.

    5. Note that some data types have a fixed length. For example, the data type CLNT (client) always has 3 places. If you enter an invalid number of places for such a data type, the system corrects this automatically after issuing a warning.

  5. Save the domain if you do not want to make any of the optional settings described below.

    6. You are requested to assign a development class to the domain.

  6. Activate the domain with Domain ® Activate.

Information on the activation process can be found in the activation log. You can call the activation log with Utilities ® Activation log. If errors occurred when the domain was activated, the activation log is automatically displayed.

Other Options

Value Table

You can enter the name of a table in the field Value table. It is automatically proposed as check table when you attempt to define a foreign key for a field that refers to this domain. This proposal can be overridden when the foreign key is defined.

Fixed Values

If you want to limit the value range of the domain by defining fixed values, select Goto ® Fixed values in the maintenance screen for fixed values.

You can define value ranges either by entering upper and lower limits or by specifying single values. Value ranges and single values can be combined as required. You can enter an explanatory short text for each single value or interval in the field Short text.

It is only possible to define fixed values for domains of data types CHAR, NUMC, DEC, INT1, INT2 and INT4. There is only an input check of the template for data types CHAR and NUMC.

Both fixed values and a value table can be specified for a domain.

Documentation

If necessary, create documentation for the domain with Goto ® Documentation. This is purely technical documentation that is not displayed in the online help system.

Restricting the Output Length

Maximum field length including editing characters for input/output of the values. This value is computed automatically, but can be overwritten.

Defining a Conversion Routine

If you want to edit the domain values differently from the standard version, you can define the name of a conversion routine in the field Convers. routine. You can find more information about this in Input and Output Conversions.

Options Depending on the Data Type

There is a number of options for editing the input and output of a field. These depend on the data type chosen. Depending on the data type selection, these parameters are displayed or suppressed.

Defining the Decimal Places

The number of places a value can have after the decimal point is defined in the field Decimal places. This field is visible only when you choose a numeric data type (DEC, FLTP, QUAN and CURR).

Sign for Numeric Data Types

If the sign field is selected, the first output position is reserved for a sign. This field is visible only when you choose a numeric data type (DEC, FLTP, QUAN and CURR).

Distinguishing Uppercase and Lowercase

Select the Lowercase flag if you want to distinguish lowercase and uppercase letters. Otherwise, all the entered letters are converted to uppercase. This field is visible only when you choose a CHAR-like data type (such as CHAR, NUMC).