Transform Types

A transform is a step in a data flow that acts on a data set. A data flow may contain one or more transforms.

Available transforms and their purposes are shown in the following table:

Transform type	Purpose
Query	Retrieves a data set from a source and optionally transforms the data according to the conditions that you specify.
Target Query	A special type of Query transform that must be the last transform before the target. In addition to Query transform capabilities, the Target Query transform also loads the data to the target.
Aggregation	Collects data across multiple records. An Aggregation transform groups by the specified columns and then aggregates the data on a per column basis.
XML Map	Retrieves one or more flat or hierarchical source data sets and produces a single target data set. You can use the XML Map transform to perform a variety of tasks. For example: You can create a hierarchical target data structure such as XML from a hierarchical target data structure. You can create a hierarchical target data structure based on data from flat tables. You can create a flat target data set such as a database table from data in a hierarchical source data structure.
Target XML Map	A special type of XML Map transform that must be the last transform before the target when the target is an XML template. In addition to XML Map transform capabilities, the Target XML Map transform also defines the schema of the target XML file and loads the data to the target.
XML Batch	Groups of flat or hierarchical data sets as blocks of rows before sending them to the next transform. For example, you might use XML Batch to create groups of rows before sending them to a web service target.
Web Service Call	Loads structured data using a call to an external web service target.
Row Generation	Generates a column filled with integer values starting at zero by default and incrementing by one in each row. You can set the column starting number in the Row number starts at option and specify the number of rows in the Row count option. For flexibility, you can enter a global variable. Row Generation transform does not have any data inputs.
ABAP Query	Retrieves a data set from an SAP Applications source and optionally transforms the data inside the SAP application according to the conditions that you specify. The transformed data is returned to SAP Cloud Integration for data services.
ABAP Aggregation	Collects data across multiple records from an SAP Applications source. An ABAP Aggregation transform groups by the specified columns and then aggregates the data on a per column basis inside the SAP application. The transformed data is returned to SAP Cloud Integration for data services.
Custom ABAP	Allows you to use your own ABAP programs.

Considerations for choosing a transform type

When aggregating data from SAP applications sources, for the best performance use an ABAP Aggregation transform rather than an Aggregation transform. The ABAP Aggregation transform pushes down the operations to the SAP application server.

When performing joins where all sources are extractors, for best performance use a Query transform rather than an ABAP Query transform. However, if you need to join an extractor to a table, then you must use an ABAP Query transform.