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ABAP CDS Glossary

In the following, terms of the ABAP Glossary are listed that are relevant for ABAP CDS.

ABAP annotation

SAP annotation that can be specified in CDS source code and that is evaluated by the ABAP Core Data Services framework, namely the ABAP runtime framework itself. Any other CDS annotations are framework-specific annotations and must be evaluated by their own frameworks.

ABAP CDS

-> ABAP Core Data Services

ABAP Core Data Services

ABAP CDS for short. An infrastructure for defining and consuming semantically rich data models on AS ABAP. ABAP CDS provides different languages for defining metadata realized as CDS objects. ABAP CDS is based on SQL but provides more features and sublanguages than SQL.

ABAP tuning object

Synonym for app-server tuning object. A tuning object that defines the technical settings for a CDS entity on AS ABAP. ABAP tuning objects are defined as CDS objects in CDS source code. Currently, there are the following ABAP tuning objects:

CDS entity buffers

aggregate

The result of an aggregate function. Can be determined using aggregate functions in an ABAP SQL SELECT statement or in the SELECT list of a CDS view entity.

aggregate expression

In ABAP SQL or in CDS DDL, an aggregate expression uses an aggregate function to determine a value from the values of a column of the result set of a query.

aggregate function

A function that processes multiple values together and returns a single value as a result. The calculation is done in the database system. An aggregate function can be used in an aggregate expression. In ABAP SQL, it can also be used as a window function in a window expression, and in a hierarchy aggregate navigator.

alias name

A name that is assigned as a substitute name to an element, an object, etc. The following alias names can be defined in ABAP:

The statement ALIASES can be used to declare an alias name for an interface component in a class or in a compound interface.
The addition ALIAS can be used to specify an alias for the primary table key and secondary table key when declaring an internal table.
In ABAP SQL, the addition AS can be used to define aliases for columns of the result set in a SELECT list or for data sources in the FROM clause.
In ABAP CDS, the addition AS can be used to define aliases for elements in the SELECT list or for CDS associations.

analytical formula

An analytical formula is an element of a CDS analytical projection view that is added as a new element in the projection layer and performs a calculation.

analytical scalar function

CDS scalar function that is evaluated by an analytical runtime environment. Analytical scalar functions can be used in analytical projection views in operand positions that expect a scalar value.

Analytical scalar functions are system functions. They can only be defined and implemented internally by SAP. They are available for internal and external use in CDS analytical queries.

For a list of analytical scalar functions delivered by SAP, see ABAP CDS - Analytical Scalar Functions.

analytical selection

Also called restricted measure. An analytical selection is an element of a CDS analytical projection view that is newly added in the projection layer. A selection is defined by means of a selection-related case expression.

annotation array

CDS annotation defined with the addition array of in its annotation definition. When an annotation array is specified in annotation syntax, any number of similar elements are listed in square brackets [ ].

annotation value

A value specified for a CDS annotation in the CDS annotation syntax. The possible values can be specified in the CDS annotation definition using a type specification, enumeration symbols, and a default value.

arithmetic expression

Formulation of an arithmetic calculation.

In general ABAP, an arithmetic expression is a calculation expression. It is assigned a calculation type that is used to execute the calculation. The result of an arithmetic expression is a numeric value that exists in the calculation type. Arithmetic expressions occur in the read positions of specific statements.
In ABAP SQL, arithmetic expressions are SQL expressions.
In ABAP CDS, arithmetic expressions can be used in the SELECT list of CDS view entities.

arithmetic operator

Combines two numeric operands in an arithmetic expression.

In ABAP, arithmetic operators are +, -, *, /, DIV, MOD, and **. See the topic arith_exp - Arithmetic Operators for further details.
In ABAP SQL, arithmetic operators are +, -, *, /.
In ABAP CDS, arithmetic operators are +, -, *, /.

association source

Data source that serves as the source of an association.

association target

Data source that serves as the target of an association.

base type

Technical storage type of enumerated constants, enumerated variables, and CDS enumerated elements. In ABAP CDS, the base type of an enumerated type is also used for compatibility checks in cast expressions and in comparisons. In ABAP, the base type of an enumerated type can be used in special conversions using CONV. A base type is flat, elementary, and has a maximum length of 16 bytes.

binary floating point literal

A numeric literal that has the binary floating point data type f or FLTP.

Not available in general ABAP.
In ABAP SQL and ABAP CDS, binary floating point literals are available as typed literals.

See also:

built-in function

A predefined function in ABAP, ABAP SQL, and ABAP CDS.

In ABAP, built-in functions can be used as expressions in certain operand positions. Numeric functions, string functions, table functions, and byte chain functions that have a return value of the corresponding data type can be distinguished. Description functions that provide information on data objects, are also available. The names of the built-in functions are a subset of the reserved names. For further details, see the topic Built-In Functions.
For ABAP SQL, built-in functions are part of the SQL expressions.
For built-in functions in ABAP CDS, see the topic CDS built-in function.

Actual parameters passed to the formal parameters of built-in functions are called also called arguments of the function.

byte field literal

A literal of the byte field type x or RAW with the length of the specified bytes. Only typed byte field literals are available.

Not available in general ABAP.
In ABAP SQL and ABAP CDS, byte field literals are available as typed literals

See also:

byte string literal

A literal of the byte string type xstring or RAWSTRING.

Not available in general ABAP.
In ABAP SQL and ABAP CDS, byte string literals are available as typed literals.

See also:

case distinction

Control structure with the control statement CASE or CASE TYPE OF, condition expression with the conditional operator SWITCH, CASE expression in ABAP SQL, or CASE expression in CDS DDL. In a case distinction, the value of an operand determines which of multiple source code sections is executed. In the ABAP language, there are only simple case distinctions. In ABAP CDS and ABAP SQL, there are simple case distinctions and complex case distinctions.

cast

In ABAP, see casting. In SQL, a cast is a type conversion.

In ABAP SQL, the operator CAST is used.
In the CDS DDL of ABAP CDS, the operator CAST is used (see cast in CDS view entities or cast in CDS DDIC-based views (obsolete)).

CDS

-> Core Data Services

CDS abstract entity

A CDS transient entity defined using DEFINE ABSTRACT ENTITY in a CDS data definition. A CDS abstract entity defines the type properties of a CDS entity without defining a database object.

CDS abstract entity extension

CDS entity extension of a CDS abstract entity. A CDS abstract entity extension can be used to add elements to an abstract entity without making any modifications to the original entity. It is defined using the statement EXTEND ABSTRACT ENTITY.

CDS access condition

Condition in a CDS role defined in an access rule of the statement DEFINE ROLE for a CDS entity. CDS access control evaluates the access conditions of a CDS entity by default when ABAP SQL is used to access objects. Access conditions can include for example PFCG conditions, literal conditions, user conditions, and other conditions.

CDS access control

Implicit restriction applied to a selection of CDS entities when accessing objects with ABAP SQL using access conditions defined in CDS roles. CDS access control is switched on by default for each CDS view entity, CDS DDIC-based view (obsolete), and CDS table function. It can be switched off for individual views and table functions using a view annotation or table function annotation.

CDS access policy

Framework defined in the DCL of the ABAP Core Data Services using DEFINE ACCESSPOLICY. Currently, only one CDS access policy is used as a frame for the definition of exactly one PFCG mapping.

CDS access rule

An access rule formulates an access condition for a CDS entity or guarantees open access in a CDS role.

CDS amount field

A component of a CDS entity of data type CURR, DECFLOAT34, DEC, or FLTP in ABAP CDS. It is used for entering an amount in a particular currency. The content of an amount field is interpreted as an integer in the smallest unit of the currency. An ABAP CDS amount field must be linked with a currency key of the same CDS entity that specifies the currency and the number of decimal places.

Related terms:

CDS analytical cube view

CDS view entity or CDS DDIC-based view (obsolete) annotated with @Analytics.dataCategory: #CUBE. Serves as a data source for CDS analytical projection views.

CDS analytical dimension field

An analytical dimension field is an element of an analytical cube view that describes a characteristic of the view's subject and that can be used for grouping or filtering. For example if a view describes a sales order, the following columns can be dimensions: customer, date, region.

CDS analytical dimension view

CDS view entity or CDS DDIC-based view (obsolete) annotated with @Analytics.dataCategory: #DIMENSION. Can serve as a data source for CDS analytical projection views.

CDS analytical measure field

An analytical measure field is a field of an analytical cube view or an analytical dimension view that contains measurable data. In other words, an analytical measure field can be any field that contains quantifiable data that can be calculated, for example, the total price of all sales order positions.

CDS analytical projection view

Synonym for CDS analytical query. CDS projection view that is intended for modeling analytical queries within a CDS data model. A CDS analytical projection view is defined using the CDS DDL statement DEFINE TRANSIENT VIEW ENTITY AS PROJECTION ON and it must have the provider contract set to ANALYTICAL_QUERY. A CDS analytical projection view is a CDS transient entity.

CDS analytical query

-> CDS analytical projection view

CDS annotation

A CDS annotation adds metadata to a CDS object that goes beyond the syntax features of SQL. An annotation is specified using the annotation syntax in the CDS source code of the CDS object. CDS annotations and their syntax are defined using CDS annotation definitions. SAP delivers a predefined set of SAP annotations.

CDS annotation definition

Defines a CDS annotation as a CDS object using the statement DEFINE ANNOTATION in DDLA source code in CDS DDL in ABAP CDS. A CDS annotation definition specifies the CDS annotation syntax that is to be used when the annotation is specified in CDS source code.

CDS annotation syntax

Syntax for specifying a CDS annotation in CDS source code. The CDS annotation syntax is fixed and the CDS annotation definition specifies further rules for the use of the respective annotation.

CDS aspect

CDS object available in ABAP CDS. The following types of CDS aspects are available:

CDS association

An association of ABAP CDS. Associations define join relationships between association sources and association targets. CDS associations can be defined for CDS view entities, CDS DDIC-based views (obsolete), CDS projection views, CDS custom entities, and CDS abstract entities using the addition ASSOCIATION in the CDS DDL in ABAP CDS. They can be evaluated in CDS DDL, CDS DCL, and in ABAP SQL using SQL path expressions. To-child associations and to-parent associations are specialized associations that together build a CDS composition relationship for the CDS composition tree of a RAP business object.

CDS association path

A sequence of CDS associations. CDS association paths can be specified in the form of SQL path expressions in ABAP SQL and in ABAP CDS.

CDS buffer propagation

Buffer propagation means that the joins defined by a CDS association are processed by the ABAP SQL in-memory engine on data stored in the table buffer. Instead of using joins instantiated on the SAP HANA database, temporary joins for processing the table buffer are established on the AS ABAP. This can lead to performance gains.

CDS built-in function

A predefined function in ABAP CDS that can be used in operand positions of CDS entities. ABAP CDS offers numeric functions, string functions, and date and time functions that have a return value of the corresponding data type. Conversion functions are available to perform conversions between data types.

CDS built-in type

Built-in elementary CDS type. CDS built-in types are based on the built-in Dictionary types and the same rules apply as to the corresponding built-in ABAP Dictionary types. CDS built-in types can be used for the typing of CDS elements, CDS parameters, and CDS simple types, and for casting in ABAP CDS.

CDS calculated quantity

A component of a CDS view entity in ABAP CDS. A calculated quantity is always the result of a calculation using CDS amount and / or CDS quantity fields. The DDIC data type is DECFLOAT34. An ABAP CDS calculated quantity must be linked with a CDS calculated unit of the same CDS view entity that specifies a user-defined unit for the calculated quantity.

CDS calculated unit

A component of a CDS view entity of data type CHAR that specifies a user-defined unit which is not contained in any list of predefined values. A CDS calculated unit can be linked with a CDS calculated quantity of the same CDS view entity.

CDS child entity

Any CDS entity of a CDS composition tree other than the root entity. A child entity is defined as the composition target of a to-child association in its parent entity and has a to-parent association to its parent entity. A child entity has exactly one parent entity.

CDS composition

A CDS composition consists of a to-parent association and a to-child association. A CDS composition defines an existential dependency between two entities, where the child entity cannot exist without the parent entity.

CDS composition path

A sequence of CDS compositions that link the CDS entities of a CDS composition tree. CDS composition paths can be specified like CDS association paths in SQL path expressions.

CDS composition tree

A tree hierarchy of a RAP business object that consists of parent entities and child entities that are themselves defined using CDS compositions. The top parent entity of a CDS composition tree is the root entity which represents the business object.

CDS condition

Logical expression in a CDS operand position.

CDS custom entity

A CDS transient entity defined using DEFINE CUSTOM ENTITY in a CDS data definition. A CDS custom entity allows developers to implement their own data retrieval using the ABAP language. The data retrieval is implemented by a method of an ABAP class that is called when accessing the custom entity in a framework such as the RAP query engine. Custom entities cannot be used in ABAP SQL. In RAP, custom entities are used as the data model basis for unmanaged queries.

CDS custom entity extension

CDS entity extension of a CDS custom entity. A CDS custom entity extension can be used to add elements to a custom entity without making any modifications to the original entity. It is defined using the statement EXTEND CUSTOM ENTITY.

CDS data definition

A definition or extension of a CDS entity using language elements of the CDS DDL in ABAP CDS in DDL source code. A CDS data definition might also contain DQL parts that define the data retrieval. For example, the DQL statement SELECT is embedded in CDS DDL for CDS views.

CDS DCL

Data control language (DCL) of ABAP CDS used to define CDS roles and CDS access policies in DCL source code in CDS access control.

CDS DCL aspect

Object used for the definition of user-specific values and their use in the conditions of a CDS role. Currently, the predefined aspects pfcg_auth and user are available, plus the user-defined aspects defined with DEFINE ASPECT.

CDS DDIC-based entity (obsolete)

A CDS persistent entity for which a CDS-managed DDIC view (obsolete) is created in the ABAP Dictionary alongside the CDS entity upon activation.

There is only one kind of DDIC-based entity available, namely CDS DDIC-based views.

CDS DDIC-based view

An obsolete type of CDS view that is technically based on a CDS-managed DDIC view (obsolete) in the ABAP Dictionary. A CDS DDIC-based view (obsolete) is defined with the CDS DDL statement DEFINE VIEW ddic_based_view.

CDS DDIC-based view extension

A CDS entity extension of a CDS DDIC-based view. A CDS DDIC-based view extension can be used to add elements and/or clauses to a view without making any modifications to the original view. It is defined using the statement EXTEND VIEW.

CDS DDL

The data definition language of ABAP CDS. Besides CDS DDL for CDS data definitions, there two further dialects, namely CDS DDLA and CDS DDLX.

CDS DDL aspect

A CDS object defined in ABAP CDS that defines reusable components for CDS entities. A CDS aspect is defined using the syntax DEFINE ASPECT. An aspect can be included in one or more CDS data definitions by a CDS aspect binding.

CDS DDL aspect binding

An optional component of a CDS data definition, specified in front of the SELECT list. With a CDS aspect binding, a CDS aspect is bound to a CDS data definition using the syntax BIND ASPECT. This makes the elements of the aspect available for use in an operand position of the data definition, using the syntax INCLUDE.

CDS DDL expression

Expression in a CDS DDL operand position that is passed to the database system for evaluation.

CDS DDLA

A CDS DDL dialect that contains language elements for CDS annotation definitions in DDLA source code.

CDS DDLX

A CDS DDL dialect that contains language elements for CDS metadata extensions in DDLX source code.

CDS delegated buffer

A CDS view entity buffer that delegates the buffer usage from one CDS entity to its base entity, which avoids numerous entries of the same data in the memory of the AS ABAP. This can improve performance.

Defined using the syntax TYPE DELEGATED in the definition of a CDS entity buffer.

CDS element

An element in a CDS entity. A CDS element is defined in an element list of a CDS data definition and is a structure component of the structured type defined by the CDS entity. CDS elements can be, for example, CDS source fields, CDS literals, or CDS DDL expressions.

CDS entity

CDS object in ABAP CDS. A CDS entity is defined in a CDS data definition using the CDS DDL of ABAP CDS in DDL source code. A CDS entity is defined when it is activated. Within CDS, a CDS entity can access other entities. Currently, there are the following CDS entities available:

In ABAP programs, a CDS entity can be used as a global type and ABAP SQL read statements can be used to access CDS entities.

CDS entity buffer

An ABAP tuning object that defines table buffering settings for CDS entities. The following types of CDS entity buffers are available:

Sometimes, CDS entity buffer is also used as a synonym for the area of the table buffer in the shared memory where data from CDS entities is buffered.

CDS entity extension

A transportable extension of a CDS entity. A CDS entity extension can be used to add elements and/or clauses to a CDS entity without making any modifications to the original entity.

There are currently four different statements that can be used to extend a CDS entity in CDS DDL:

CDS enumerated element

CDS element that is typed with a CDS enumerated type. A CDS enumerated element can only contain one of the enumerated values of the respective enumerated type.

CDS enumerated type

CDS user-defined type in ABAP CDS that defines an enumerated type. A CDS enumerated type is defined using the statement DEFINE TYPE ENUM.

CDS external entity

A CDS persistent entity defined using DEFINE EXTERNAL ENTITY in a CDS data definition. A CDS external entity can be used to access data from external database systems within the AS ABAP. The external systems can be other SAP HANA or non-SAP HANA database systems. The properties of the connection between an external entity and the external system are configured using a logical external schema. The connection is managed using SAP HANA Smart Data Access. Currently, only dynamic external entities are available.

CDS FDL

Function Definition Language in ABAP CDS. CDS FDL contains language elements for CDS scalar functions in FDL source code.

CDS function

Function in ABAP CDS that can be used in operand positions of CDS entities. A CDS function can be a user-defined function, a built-in function, or a system function.

CDS function definition

A CDS object that defines a CDS function using language elements of the CDS FDL in ABAP CDS in FDL source code. Currently, CDS scalar function definitions are the only type of CDS function definition available.

CDS generic type

Built-in generic CDS type. The generic CDS types are: any and numeric. Generic CDS types can be used for the typing of parameters of CDS scalar functions.

CDS hierarchy

A CDS persistent entity defined using DEFINE HIERARCHY in a CDS data definition. A CDS hierarchy allows the retrieval of the nodes of hierarchical data. In ABAP SQL read statements, a CDS hierarchy can be accessed as a SQL hierarchy. Additional hierarchy columns containing the hierarchy attributes are available.

CDS literal

An elementary CDS operand defined by the textual specification of a value in a CDS object. ABAP CDS provides typed literals and untyped literals.

CDS literal condition

Part of an access condition in a CDS role that associates an element of a CDS entity with a literal value.

CDS localized field

A SQL path target field in a CDS entity whose original data source is a CDS text provider view and that is automatically displayed in the user's logon language. Defined using the keyword LOCALIZED. Currently available in CDS projection views only.

CDS logical external schema

A logical database schema that maps one or more CDS external entities to a concrete physical external system or database, and a specific database schema in such a remote system. A logical external schema is represented by a transportable repository object whose configuration specifies the connection details required by the SAP HANA remote source to connect to an external system.

CDS metadata extension

Short MDE. A CDS object of the ABAP CDS is defined in DDLX source code with language elements of the CDS DDL. In a CDS metadata extension, CDS annotations are specified for a CDS entity outside its data definition. A CDS metadata extension is always assigned to a layer such as industry, partner or customer.

CDS object

A repository object of ABAP CDS. CDS objects are, for example, CDS entities, CDS annotation definitions, CDS metadata extensions, CDS roles, CDS user-defined types, CDS functions, and ABAP tuning objects.

CDS operand

A syntax element of a CDS data definition at an operand position. Defined directly or as a formal parameter, built-in function, or expression. Operands can be combined with operators to form expressions that in turn can be listed at certain operand positions.

More about:

CDS parameter

An input parameter of a CDS object. A CDS parameter can be defined, for example, in the parameter list of a CDS data definition or of a CDS scalar function definition. When a CDS object with parameters is used in another CDS object or in an ABAP SQL statement, actual parameters must be assigned to their CDS parameters.

CDS parent entity

A CDS entity of a CDS composition tree that uses a to-child association to define a child entity. A parent entity can have multiple child entities. Each child entity must define and expose a to-parent association to its parent entity.

CDS persistent entity

A CDS entity for which an artifact is created on the database and which can be used as a data source in ABAP SQL, such as a CDS view entity or a CDS table function.

Caution

CDS variants are not currently released for general use. It is not possible to define standalone CDS variants and the use of CDS variants in metadata extensions produces a syntax check warning.

CDS view

A CDS entity defined in a CDS data definition that implements a view. There are three types of CDS views:

CDS view entity defined by DEFINE VIEW ENTITY.
CDS projection view defined by DEFINE VIEW ENTITY AS PROJECTION.
CDS DDIC-based view (obsolete) defined by DEFINE VIEW.

Read access on a CDS view is possible using ABAP SQL or from other CDS entities.

CDS view entity

A view defined in ABAP CDS as a CDS persistent entity with the CDS DDL statement DEFINE VIEW ENTITY.

CDS view entity buffer

A CDS entity buffer that defines the kind of table buffering for a CDS entity. Defined using the statement DEFINE VIEW ENTITY BUFFER.

CDS view entity extension

CDS entity extension of a CDS view entity or a CDS projection view. A CDS view entity extension can be used to add elements and/or clauses to a view without making any modifications to the original view. It is defined using the statement EXTEND VIEW ENTITY.

CDS virtual element

Element in the element list of a projection view which is not included in the projected entity. Virtual elements are not persistent on the database, but calculated during runtime, usually in ABAP classes. In order to fill and analyze the virtual elements of a projection view, special frameworks like the RAP query engine have to be involved.

CDS-Based Enterprise Search

The ABAP-CDS-specific version of the SAP Enterprise Search technology. It is based on CDS view entities in the backend. These view entities are annotated with framework-specific annotations from the EnterpriseSearch domain. The annotations define search capabilities and they also trigger the generation of a CDS-based search connector. CDS-based enterprise search provides enhanced search capabilities in SAP Fiori launchpad.

CDS-based search connector

A search connector that enables communication between an ABAP system and the SAP HANA database in the context of CDS-based enterprise search.

CDS-managed DDIC view

An obsolete DDIC database view of the ABAP Dictionary that is created in addition to the CDS entity when a CDS DDIC-based view (obsolete) is activated. CDS-managed DDIC views are used as technical foundations for a CDS view of this type, but should not be used directly in ABAP or ABAP CDS.

CDS/CTE association path

A sequence of CDS associations and CTE associations that associate CDS entities and common table expressions with association targets. In other words, a mixture of CDS and CTE association paths. CDS or CTE association paths can be specified in the form of SQL path expressions in ABAP SQL.

character literal

Also referred to as text literal. A literal with a character-like data type whose value is a character string.

In general ABAP, character literals are untyped literals.
In ABAP SQL and ABAP CDS, character literals can be typed literals or untyped literals.

See also:

client dependency

Property of a SQL data source. A SQL data source can be client-dependent or client-independent. When accessing a client-dependent SQL data source in ABAP SQL, an implicit client handling takes place.

client handling

Processing of the application data of a client. When accessing client-dependent DDIC database tables or views, ABAP SQL statements use implicit client handling, which by default accesses the current client. By using additions to the ABAP SQL statements, the implicit client handling can be switched to other clients. The client handling of AMDP methods can be defined with special AMDP options.

client isolation

Client isolation on an AS ABAP means that an ABAP user has access to data of the current client only. In ABAP Cloud, client isolation is enforced as follows:

Implicit client handling in ABAP SQL.
AMDP methods can access client-safe repository objects only.
CDS entities that are released APIs must be client-safe.

client literal

A literal that contains a client ID and has the data type CLNT.

Not available in general ABAP.
In ABAP SQL and ABAP CDS, client literals are available as typed literals.

See also:

client-dependent

A SQL data source for which an implicit client handling takes place when accessed with ABAP SQL.

A DDIC database table or DDIC view in ABAP Dictionary is client-dependent if the first column is a client column. The system table T000, which contains the AS ABAP client IDs, is an exception to this rule.
The client dependency of a CDS entity is determined by its data sources. Client handling is by done implicitly by filtering the session variable $session.client.
The client dependency of CDS DDIC-based views (obsolete) is declared in the CDS source code by the ABAP annotation @CLientHandling.type.

See also:

currency field literal

A literal of the data type CURR.

Not available in general ABAP.
In ABAP SQL and ABAP CDS, currency field literals are available as typed literals.

See also:

currency key literal

A literal of the data type CUKY that contains a currency code.

Not available in general ABAP.
In ABAP SQL and ABAP CDS, currency key literals are available as typed literals.

See also:

current client

The current client of a user session is the client whose client ID was specified during logon.

database query

Query for short. A database query is used to retrieve data from database tables. In SQL, queries are generally expressed in its subset DQL (Data Query Language). In ABAP SQL a query is called ABAP SQL Query. In ABAP CDS, queries appear in the SQL-part of the definitions of CDS views.

DCL

Short for Data Control Language. A subset of SQL. The statements of the DCL perform authorization and consistency checks on relational databases.

ABAP SQL does not support DCL. On an Application Server ABAP, the functionality of the DCL is implemented using authorization objects and SAP locks.
ABAP CDS provides a DCL that implements an access control, where database objects can be linked to authorization objects of AS ABAP.

DCL source code

CDS source code for the definition of CDS roles and of CDS access policies for CDS access control in the CDS DCL in ABAP CDS.

DDL

Short for Data Definition Language. A subset of SQL. The statements in the DDL create and delete the objects of a relational database. In an ABAP system, ABAP-managed database objects are edited using tools and frameworks in AS ABAP, such as ABAP Dictionary, ABAP CDS, and AMDP, where DDIC DDL, CDS DDL, or Native SQL are used. ABAP SQL does not support DDL.

DDL source code

The CDS source code for CDS data definitions or their extensions in CDS DDL. See also DDLA source code and DDLX source code.

DDLA source code

CDS source code for CDS annotation definitions in CDS DDLA.

DDLX source code

CDS source code for CDS metadata extensions in CDS DDLX.

decimal floating point literal

A numeric literal of a decimal floating point type.

Not available in general ABAP.
In ABAP SQL and ABAP CDS, decimal floating point literals are available as typed literals.

See also:

DML

Short for Data Manipulation Language. Subset of SQL. The statements in DML perform CUD operations on relational database tables. In the ABAP language, DML is implemented predominantly by the statements for write accesses of ABAP SQL. Note: Sometimes the term DML also includes the statements of DQL.

DQL

Short for Data Query Language. Subset of SQL. The statements in DQL perform read operations on relational database tables. In the ABAP language, DQL is implemented predominantly by the statements for read accesses of ABAP SQL. In ABAP CDS, the DQL statement SELECT is embedded in CDS DDL for CDS views. Note: Sometimes the statements of DQL are included in the term DML.

dynamic external entity

A CDS external entity that does not specify a logical external schema in its data definition, but instead uses the addition PROVIDED AT RUNTIME. The logical external schema for a dynamic external entity must be provided as a part of the ABAP SQL SELECT statement when accessing the external entity, using a PROVIDED BY clause. Dynamic external entities can only be accessed by ABAP SQL; they cannot be used as a data source for other CDS entities.

enumerated structure

A constant structure declared in the definition of an enumerated type, whose components contain all enumerated values of the enumerated type. The components are special enumerated objects. For an ABAP enumerated type, the declaration of an enumerated structure is optional. A CDS enumerated type is always connected to an enumerated structure. See also enumerated constant.

enumerated type

Enum for short. An enumerated type is a data type that specifies a value set in addition to the actual type properties. Enumerated types can be defined in ABAP with TYPES BEGIN OF ENUM or in ABAP CDS with DEFINE TYPE ENUM.

See also:

enumerated value

An enumerated value is an allowed value of an enumerated variable or a CDS enumerated element. The possible enumerated values are defined in the definition of the respective enumerated type as the values of enumerated constants or of components of an enumerated structure. The technical data type of an enumerated value is the base type of the enumerated type.

enumeration

-> enumerated type

FDL source code

CDS source code for CDS function definitions in CDS FDL.

filter condition

Specifies a condition for a CDS association or CTE association in an SQL path expression.

framework-specific annotation

SAP annotation that is evaluated by a framework of an SAP software component.

grouping set

Grouping sets are used in the GROUP BY clause of a query. A grouping set is specified either as an empty grouping set or as a comma-separated list. Columns and SQL expressions can also be used in the list. The GROUP BY addition GROUPING SETS makes it possible to define multiple grouping sets under a GROUP BY clause. The grouping sets are aggregated separately and merged into one result set.

inheritance condition

Part of an access condition in a CDS role that inherits conditions from another CDS role or a different CDS entity.

integer literal

A numeric literal of an integer type.

In general ABAP, integer literals are untyped literals.
In ABAP SQL and ABAP CDS, integer literals can be typed literals or untyped literals.

See also:

join

A combination of two SQL data sources into one result set, consisting of columns of both data sources. The rows of the result set are determined by the join type and by join conditions between columns of the data sources. The relation between the rows of the data sources can be expressed by a cardinality. Joins can be implemented in ABAP as follows:

DDIC views in the ABAP Dictionary
Join expressions in queries of ABAP SQL
Join expressions in the CDS DDL of ABAP CDS

Furthermore, CDS associations and CTE associations define join relationships that are instantiated when the associations are used in SQL path expressions.

join condition

A SQL condition or a CDS DDL condition specified after the addition ON of a join expression. Also called ON condition.

join expression

The implementation of a join in SQL using the addition JOIN. Join expressions can be defined in queries, defined by the SELECT statement of ABAP SQL, the SELECT statement in CDS view entities, or the SELECT statement in CDS DDIC-based views (obsolete).

join type

The join type determines, together with the join conditions of a join expression, how the rows of its result set are combined from its SQL data sources. ABAP SQL and ABAP CDS support inner joins, outer joins (left and right), and cross joins.

language key literal

A literal of the data type LANG that contains a language key.

Not available in general ABAP.
In ABAP SQL and ABAP CDS, language key literals are available as typed literals.

See also:

leaf entity

A CDS entity of a CDS composition tree of a RAP business object that does not have any child entities. The root entity can also be a leaf entity.

left outer join

A join type that determines the same rows as an inner join and an additional row for each row of the left SQL data source that is not included by the join conditions. In these rows, the columns coming from the right data source contain null values.

literal

The textual representation of a value in the ABAP source code of an ABAP program or in a CDS object. There are typed literals and untyped literals available.

See also:

logical expression

Formulation of a condition for operands. A logical expression is a single relational expression or is made up of multiple relational expressions combined by Boolean operators. The result of a logical expression is a truth value, that is, either true or false.

In general ABAP, logical expressions are used in control statements or other statements that contain conditions, as well as in conditional expressions and Boolean functions. For further details, see the topic Logical Expressions (log_exp).
In ABAP SQL, logical expressions are used in conditions, such as WHERE and ON conditions.
In ABAP CDS, logical expressions are used in conditions, such as WHERE and ON conditions.

main annotation

Also called root annotation. The CDS annotation defined after the statement DEFINE ANNOTATION in a CDS annotation definition, or a name of an annotation specified on its own or in front of a period in the annotation syntax. A main annotation can be structured using subannotations.

null value

A special value returned by a database to indicate an undefined value or result. There are no special null values in ABAP. In assignments made to ABAP data objects in ABAP SQL, Native SQL, and AMDP, null values are transformed to type-dependent initial values. The ABAP SQL in-memory engine for accessing the table buffer and internal tables as data sources of ABAP SQL queries, however, handles null values as null values.

ABAP SQL - Null Values

ABAP CDS - Null Values

numeric literal

A literal that has a numeric data type and whose characters represent a numeric value.

In general ABAP, numeric literals are untyped literals.
In ABAP SQL and ABAP CDS, numeric literals can be typed literals or untyped literals.

See also:

numeric text literal

A literal that contains numeric text and has the length of the specified characters. The data type is n or NUMC.

Not available in general ABAP.
In ABAP SQL, numeric text literals are available as untyped literals.
In ABAP CDS, numeric text literals can be typed literals or untyped literals.

See also:

operand

A component of an ABAP statement or of a CDS data definition at an operand position. An operand can be an elementary operand or an expression.

There are different types of operands:

operand position

Position of an ABAP statement or of a CDS data definition at which an operand is listed. There are read and write positions. In an ABAP statement, such an operand position is typed with an operand type and appropriate data objects or expressions can be specified. The operand positions for the latter are expression positions. Besides that there are other operand positions, where types, callable units or other external resources such as CDS entities or DDIC database tables can be specified as operands.

operator

Component of an ABAP statement or of a CDS data definition that, when combined with operands, forms an expression. When the statement is executed, an operation is executed for two operands connected by one operator, and the result is processed further in the statement. There are arithmetic, bit, string, Boolean, relational, and assignment operators. There are also operators that do not combine operands, but perform other operations in operand positions. Operators of this type are the dereferencing operator, declarations operators, and constructor operators. Finally, the literal operator is used to combine two literals.

outer join

A type of join. There are two types of outer joins:

packed number literal

A numeric literal of packed number type.

In general ABAP, packed number literals are untyped literals.
In ABAP SQL and ABAP CDS, packed number literals can be typed literals or untyped literals.

See also:

path expression

A sequence of associations specified at an operand position. Either an SQL path expression or a mesh path expression.

path specification

-> Path expression

quantity field literal

A literal of the data type QUAN.

Not available in general ABAP.
In ABAP SQL and ABAP CDS, quantity field literals are available as typed literals.

See also:

query

-> database query

replacement object

A replacement object is a CDS view that can be specified for a DDIC database table or a DDIC database view. In case of a read access using ABAP SQL, the replacement object is addressed instead of the original object.

return value

The result of functional methods, built-in functions, and CDS scalar functions.

In the ABAP language, the result of functional methods is the formal parameter defined by the addition RETURNING of the statement [CLASS-]METHODS.
in ABAP CDS, the result of a CDS scalar function whose data type is defined after the addition RETURNS.

reuse expression

A CDS element that reuses an expression from the SELECT list of the same entity using the syntax $projection.

right outer join

A type of join that determines the same rows as an inner join and an additional row for each row of the right SQL data source that is not included by the join conditions. In these rows, the columns coming from the left data source contain null values.

root annotation

-> main annotation

SAP annotation

CDS annotation delivered by SAP as a CDS annotation definition. There are the following categories of SAP annotations:

ABAP annotations, which are evaluated by the ABAP runtime framework for every CDS object.
Framework-specific annotations, which are evaluated by the frameworks of other software components.

SDL source code

CDS source code for CDS service definitions in CDS SDL.

self-association

An association in which the association source and the association target are the same. Also referred to as reflexive association.

service binding

SB for short. A service binding is a repository object that binds a CDS service definition to a communication protocol and publishes it as a business service of AS ABAP.

session variable

A global variable of a database system that contains information about the current context. The SAP HANA database has special ABAP-specific session variables whose content matches the value of certain ABAP system fields when accessed from ABAP. In CDS views, these ABAP-specific session variables can be accessed on all supported platforms.

set operator

A set operator merges the result sets of multiple queries into a single result set. In CDS view entities and ABAP SQL, the following set operators are available:

EXCEPT returns all distinct rows of the first result set that are not part of the following result sets.
INTERSECT returns all distinct rows that are part of all result sets.
UNION merges the result sets of all queries.

Set operators in CDS view entities

Set operators in ABAP SQL

simple case distinction

A case distinction that matches an operand to another operand specified in one or more WHEN clauses. Available in ABAP CDS and ABAP SQL.

source cardinality

The cardinality of a join or association consists of a source cardinality and a target cardinality. The source cardinality describes the number of matching entries for the entries of the joined data source. For example, a source cardinality of one means that each record of the joined data source has zero or one matching entry in the original data source.

SQL expression

An expression in an ABAP SQL statement or in CDS DDL that is evaluated by the database.

SQL function

Built-in database platform function that can be used in SQL. In ABAP SQL and in the CDS DDL in ABAP CDS, a set of SQL functions can be accessed platform-independently.

SQL path expression

Specifies a CDS association path, a CTE association path, or a CDS/CTE association path in ABAP SQL or ABAP CDS. A SQL path expression can be used as a data source, or for specifying a SQL path target field in an operand position. For this, CDS associations and CTE associations are implicitly transformed into joins. See

SQL path target field

A field that is specified behind a SQL path expression.

SQL-based scalar function

CDS scalar function that is evaluated by an SQL environment. SQL-based scalar functions can be used in CDS view entities in operand positions that expect scalar values.

SQL-based scalar functions can be user-defined functions or system functions.

A CDS scalar function consists of three development objects:

A CDS entity defined using DEFINE SCALAR FUNCTION in a CDS data definition.
A scalar function implementation reference that binds the scalar function to the SQL environment and to an AMDP function implementation.
An AMDP function that implements the scalar function as database function.

standalone data type

A data type that is defined using the statement TYPES in an ABAP program, as a data type of the ABAP Dictionary or as a CDS entity. See also bound data type.

static external entity

A CDS external entity that uses the addition PROVIDED BY to specify a logical external schema in its data definition. Static external entities can be used as data sources in ABAP SQL SELECT statements, in other CDS entities, and in ABAP Managed Database Procedures (AMDP).

string literal

Either text string literal or byte string literal.

structured type

Data type of a structure. It contains other data types as structure components. A named structured type is either defined as a DDIC structure, a CDS entity or inside an ABAP program using the statement TYPES BEGIN OF.

sub-annotation

CDS annotation that is specified in curly brackets { } in an annotation definition after another annotation. When specifying a sub-annotation in annotation syntax, curly brackets { } or structured names separated by periods are also used.

table buffering

Buffering of data from DDIC database tables, DDIC database views, or from CDS entities in a table buffer in the shared memory of the current AS instance. Whether and how a DDIC database table or a DDIC database view is buffered is determined by its technical settings. For a CDS entity, the buffering is determined by annotations and a CDS entity buffer. Buffering is managed by the database interface. Table buffering is applied implicitly when the database is accessed using ABAP SQL and from classic dynpros. In ABAP SQL, the ABAP SQL in-memory engine processes the tabular data in the table buffer.

TDL source code

CDS source code for CDS type definitions in CDS TDL.

text field literal

A character literal of the text field type c or CHAR with the length of the specified characters. A text field literal can be linked to a text symbol.

In general ABAP, text field literals are untyped literals delimited by single quotes.
In ABAP SQL and ABAP CDS, text field literals can be typed literals or untyped literals.

See also:

text literal

-> Character literal

text string literal

A character literal of the text string type string.

In general ABAP, text string literals are untyped literals delimited by backquotes.
In ABAP SQL and ABAP CDS, text string literals can be typed literals or untyped literals.

See also:

time literal

A literal of the data type TIMN or TIMS.

Not available in general ABAP.
In ABAP SQL and ABAP CDS, time literals are available as typed literals.

See also:

time stamp literal

A literal of the data type UTCLONG.

Not available in general ABAP.
In ABAP SQL and ABAP CDS, time stamp literals are available as typed literals.

See also:

tuning object

A repository object that defines technical settings for certain repository objects. A tuning object can be defined and transported separately from the repository object for which it is defined. The following types of tuning objects are currently available:

HANA tuning objects defined in the ABAP Dictionary in DDIC DDL.
ABAP tuning objects defined as CDS objects in CDS DDL.

typed literal

A literal whose data type is specified explicitly.

See also:

user condition

Part of an access condition in a CDS role that compares an element of a CDS entity with the current user name.

ABAP Keyword Documentation

ABAP CDS Glossary

Caution