Matchcodes (SAP Library - BC - ABAP Dictionary)

Matchcodes

Matchcodes were replaced with search helps starting with Release 4.0. Use search helps to assign an input help to a field.

Existing matchcodes are automatically migrated to search helps when you upgrade to a release higher than 4.0. A matchcode object is hereby converted to a collective search help with the same name. Each matchcode ID of the matchcode object is converted to an elementary search help with the same name and assigned to the collective search help created from the matchcode object.

A matchcode is a means of finding data records stored in the system. The matchcode is defined in the ABAP Dictionary in two steps:

You first define the relevant tables and fields for the search in a matchcode object. A matchcode object describes the set of all possible search paths for a search string.
You then create one or more matchcode IDs for a matchcode object. A matchcode ID describes a special search path for a search string. The matchcode ID defines the fields or field combinations to be used in the search.

A material number must be entered in a screen field. Since the user cannot be expected to know this number, it must be possible to search for this number using the attributes of the corresponding material.

Several search paths are possible for this search. For example, you can search for the material number with the material name, the material class or the material manufacturer.

The corresponding matchcode object then comprises the fields for the material number, material name, material class and manufacturer. One matchcode ID corresponds to each search path. For example, ID A could describe the search for the material number by manufacturer. This ID only contains the fields for the material number and manufacturer.

Matchcode Objects

The tables relevant for the search are inserted in a matchcode object. The table selection is based on one primary table. Further secondary tables can also be included, which are linked with the primary table by foreign keys. The fields of the matchcode object can then be selected from the base tables.

A matchcode object is not stored physically. It only describes a complete logical view on one or more tables.

Matchcode IDs

Several matchcode IDs can be created for one matchcode object. The matchcode IDs are derived from the matchcode object by projection (field selection) and selection (definition of a selection condition).

A matchcode ID must be identified within a matchcode object with one letter or digit. This means that a maximum of 36 matchcode IDs (26 letters and 10 digits) can be defined for each matchcode object.

Selection conditions can be defined for each matchcode ID. These are used as a filter for the matchcode to be built. These selection conditions can define restrictions for all the fields from the base tables of the relevant matchcode ID.

You must also specify an update type. The update type defines how the data should be accessed and how the matchcode adjusts to data changes in the tables contained in the matchcode.

See also:

Creating Matchcodes

Changing Matchcodes