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A virtual data model (VDM) is a structured representation of HANA database views used in SAP HANA Live for SAP Business Suite and follows consistent modeling rules.

It provides direct access to SAP business data using standard SQL or OData requests. Business data is exposed through well-defined database views, operating directly on the tables of the SAP Business Suite systems and transforming them into consistent and easily understandable views. These views can be consumed directly by rich client UIs (such as HTML5, SAP BusinessObjects, and Excel) without any additional software layer (an ABAP application system, for example) in between (two-tier architecture).

Structure

A virtual data model consists of the following types of views:

  • Query views are designed for direct consumption by an analytical application (based on HTML5, for instance) or a generic analytical tool (for example, BusinessObjects tools). They are always the top view in a hierarchy of views and are not designed for reuse in other views. However, the virtual data model also includes query views to support (showcase) applications based on the virtual data model.

    Note

    The interface of the query views is kept stable.

    The name of a query view ends with Query and provides output fields in a format consumable by UIs:

    Example

    CostCenterPlanActualCostsQuery

  • Reuse views are the heart of the virtual data model. They expose the business data in a well-structured, consistent and comprehensible way, covering all relevant business data in SAP Business Suite systems. They are designed for reuse by other views and must not be consumed directly by analytical tools.

  • Private views encapsulate certain SQL transformations on one or several database tables or even other views. They are not classified as reuse views, as they might not carry clear business semantics, but are rather intended to be reused in other views. They are comparable to subroutines or (private) methods in programming languages. A private view may be based on database tables, other private views, or on reuse views.

  • Value help views (VHVs) provide the value list for a specific business entity that is used in a value help in a query view. Relevant business entities are specified by an identifier or code. A maximum of one VHV is defined for each business entity per package. A VHV is included either in an underlying package to the business query views that make use of it, or in the same package. In SAP HANA, for each main package a specific VHV exists for a specific business entity.

You can find a complete list of views in the SAP HANA Live Browser.

For information about classification views, see SAP Note 1892589 Information published on SAP site.

For information about variant configuration views, see SAP Note 1987669 Information published on SAP site.

Enhancing SAP HANA Live

Note that you cannot extend views delivered by SAP directly; you must make a copy first.

For more information about how to enhance SAP HANA Live, see https://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-44726Information published on SAP site.

Note that this link intends to serve as a hint where to find supplementary documentation. SAP does not warrant the availability and correctness of such supplementary documentation or the ability to serve for a particular purpose. SAP shall not be liable for any damages caused by the use of such documentation unless such damages have been caused by SAP's gross negligence or willful misconduct.