Logical File NamesLocate this document in the navigation structure

Use

Many applications use files for storage or communication and access them using the ABAP commands open dataset, transfer dataset, and so on. When these operations are performed, the ABAP commands require physical file names in the syntax of the respective operating system. You can link physical file names with logical file names. In this way, you can write platform-independent applications, and predefine particular file names or directories for users.

Overview

The following are examples of scenarios that use logical file names:

  • The application defines the logical file in the coding or Customizing. The application determines a physical file name from the logical file name with FILE_GET_NAME.

  • The application allows the specification of a logical file name using the user interface. You can configure the logical file names permitted for this context using aliases (see Defining and Using Aliases). The specified logical file name is translated to a physical file name using FILE_GET_NAME.

  • The application allows the specification of a physical file name using the user interface. The application uses FILE_VALIDATE_NAME to check this physical file name against a logical file name defined in the application. Aliases are also supported in this context.

You define the logical file names and paths in customizing. To do this, you can use the Implementation Guide section Start of the navigation path SAP NetWeaver Next navigation step Application Server Next navigation step System Administration Next navigation step Platform-Independent Filenames End of the navigation path or the transactions FILE and SF01.

The definitions used by SAP applications are delivered with the system and are adapted when they are imported. For information on which application uses which logical file names, see the application-specific documentation. You can add further definitions.

Delivery of Predefined Logical File Names

SAP delivers a predefined logical file name for every access with which users can specify a physical or logical file name on a selection screen.

The system can only check the physical or logical file name specified by the user if one of the following conditions is fulfilled:

  • You are assigning a physical path and/or file name to the delivered logical file name.

  • You are assigning an alias to the delivered logical file name, for which a physical path and/or file name was defined.

If one of these conditions is fulfilled, the validation for the relevant predefined logical file name is active.

Caution

SAP usually only delivers the definition of logical file names; the physical paths must be maintained by the system administrator. The system can only check file names and therefore ensure security if physical paths are specified.

If the validation for a delivered logical file name is not active, the corresponding application creates an entry in the Security Audit Log when it is executed. You can obtain information from the Security Audit Log about which accesses to the file system of the application server have not yet been secured.