ADDITIONAL ABAP INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

2007-12-01T14:28:00.000-08:00

Can you create a table with fields not referring to data elements?
YES. Eg: - ITAB LIKE SPFLI. Here we are referencing to a data object (SPFLI) not data element.

What are the different types of data dictionary objects? Tables, structures, views, domains, data elements, lock objects, Match code objects.
What should be the approach for writing a BDC program?
STEP 1: CONVERTING THE LEGACY SYSTEM DATA TO A FLAT FILE to internal table CALLED "CONVERSION".
STEP 2: TRANSFERING THE FLAT FILE INTO SAP SYSTEM CALLED "SAP DATA TRANSFER".
STEP 3: DEPENDING UPON THE BDC TYPE
i) call transaction (Write the program explicitly)
ii) create sessions (sessions are created and processed. if success data will transfer).

What are the problems in processing batch input sessions and how is batch input process different from processing online?
PROBLEMS:
i) If the user forgets to opt for keep session then the session will be automatically removed from the session queue (log remains). However if session is processed we may delete it manually.
ii) If session processing fails data will not be transferred to SAP database table.

What does an extract statement do in the ABAP program?
Once you have declared the possible record types as field groups and defined their structure, you can fill the extract dataset using the following statements: EXTRACT. When the first EXTRACT statement occurs in a program, the system creates the extract dataset and adds the first extract record to it. In each subsequent EXTRACT statement, the new extract record is added to the dataset EXTRACT HEADER. When you extract the data, the record is filled with the current values of the corresponding fields. As soon as the system has processed the first EXTRACT statement for a field group, the structure of the corresponding extract record in the extract dataset is fixed. You can no longer insert new fields into the field groups and HEADER. If you try to modify one of the field groups afterwards and use it in another EXTRACT statement, a runtime error occurs. By processing EXTRACT statements several times using different field groups, you fill the extract dataset with records of different length and structure. Since you can modify field groups dynamically up to their first usage in an EXTRACT statement, extract datasets provide the advantage that you need not determine the structure at the beginning of the program.

Can a transparent table exist in data dictionary but not in the database physically?
NO. TRANSPARENT TABLE DOES EXIST WITH THE SAME STRUCTURE BOTH IN THE DICTIONARY AS WELL AS IN THE DATABASE, EXACTLY WITH THE SAME DATA AND FIELDS.

What is the step-by-step process to create a table in data dictionary?
Step 1: creating domains (data type, field length, range).
Step 2: creating data elements (properties and type for a table field).
Step 3: creating tables (SE11).

What is the typical structure of an ABAP/4 program?
HEADER, BODY, FOOTER.

A situation: An ABAP program creates a batch input session. We need to submit the program and the batch session in background. How to do it?
Go to SM36 and create background job by giving job name, job class and job steps (JOB SCHEDULING)

What are the domains and data elements?
DOMAINS: FORMAL DEFINITION OF THE DATA TYPES.THEY SET ATTRIBUTES SUCH AS DATA TYPE, LENGTH, RANGE. DATA ELEMENT: A FIELD IN R/3 SYSTEM IS A DATA ELEMENT.

What is the alternative to batch input session?
Call transaction.

What is a batch input session?
BATCH INPUT SESSION is an intermediate step between internal table and database table. Data along with the action is stored in session i.e. data for screen fields, to which screen it is passed, program name behind it, and how next screen is processed.

What is the advantage of structures? How do you use them in the ABAP programs?
Adv: - GLOBAL EXISTANCE (these could be used by any other program without creating it again).

How many types of tables exist and what are they in data dictionary?
4 types of tables
i) Transparent tables - Exists with the same structure both in dictionary as well as in database exactly with the same data and fields. Both Opens and Nativesql can be used. ii)Pool tables &
iii)Cluster tables - These are logical tables that are arranged as records of transparent tables. one cannot use native sql on these tables (only open sql).They are not manageable directly using database system tools.
iv)Internal tables

Without using Tcode SE11, How can we enter the values in to the table
you can go to abap editor (se38) and use insert statement for insertion update for update and modify for modifications

What is the difference between Collect statement and Append Statement?
Collect statement collect/adds the records basing on a key field. allows creating summarized data sets.
Append will append/add a record at the end of existing records

What do you mean by correction and Transportation system ?
If any changes are made to objects they are to be transported to different systems i.e., change and transport.

What is the difference between User Exits and BADI ?
User Exits r used for adding additional functionality to the existing SAP standard transactions. Using User Exits
we can add additional functionality standard SAP functionality without making any changes to the original code.
BADI is a standardized interface for ABAP sources that enables partners and customers to enhance
SAP-delivered programs in their namespace.

What do you mean by Inbound and Outbound interface?
Outbound interface is used to send IDocs to the ALE server.,
Inbound interface is used to analyse the received Idoc.

What are the standard IDOC's used
MATMAS
CREMAS
DEBMAS
GLMAST

What is the difference between following two SQL statments :- GET table_name- SELECT * FROM table_name ?
Get can only be used with logical database ,where as we use Select with all the tables present in Data dict.
GET IS A KEY-WORD WHICH IS USED TO GET SOMETHING ( DATA )IN THE NODES OF A LOGICAL DATABASE DIRECTLY WHERE AS USING SELECT WE CAN SELECT N-NUMBER OF TABLES DATA THROUGH INTERNAL TABLES IN OUR PROGRMS.

What is the difference between field group, extract dataset, and internal table?
field group is the group of field under the common name. when we create a field group we can use it any where in any program. bt in internal table we can dreat a runtime table to fetch the field from database and destroy when program is end.

what is the difference between Type and Like?
TYPE, you assign data type directly to the data object while declaring.
LIKE,you assign the datatype of another object to the declaring data object. The datatype is referenced indirectly.
Type is a keyword used to refer to a data type whereas Like is a keyword used to copy the existing properties of already existing data object.

How to create own development class for storing the programs ?
go to t.code se80. select the edit button in sap 4.7 select package development
where we have to specify the package name click on create....... give the description...............save it

How can we transport the z-table along with data to Production system.
As per my knowledge you can transport the table as mentioned above but u cannot able to transport the values.. To transport that use BDC
its possible to transport the data along with the table definition, by setting the Delivery class appropriately under the delivery and maintenance tab of SE11.. sure will work........

Explain about roll area , Dispatcher, ABAP-Processor.
Dispatcher receives the request from client and assigns the request to one of the work process.
Roll area: Each work process works in a particular memory that memory is known as Role Area, which consists of User context and session data.
Roll area is nothing but memory allocated by work process. It holds the information needed by R/3 about programs execution such as value of the variables.
Dispatcher :All the requests that come from presentation server will be directed first to dispatcher. Further dispatcher sends this requests to work process on FIFO(First In and First Out) basis.
Dispatcher receives the request from client and assigns the request to one of the work process.
Roll area: Each work process works in a particular memory that memory is known as Role Area, which consists of User context and session data.
ABAP- Processor :is an interpreter, which can execute logic
roll area is a buffer its store the requests temporarily
dispatcher: its application server agent , its collect the client requests
and assign to the processors
agape-processors
update
enque
dialog
messages
gateway
spool
background

how do you see the authorization checks.
HI, for see the authorization of a user goes to transaction su53

what is difference between dialog program and a report ?

Report is an executable program
Dialog is a module pool program. It has to be executed via a transaction only.
Dialog programming is used for customization of screens
Technically there are many differences, let me explain in terms of data... Report is nothing but to analyze the data present in the database. where as Dialog is just like as a front end to the database
using reports
we can display the data
insert and modify the data
* its executable program
where as in dialog programming
we can create our own screens and transactions
we can't execute directly this

With reports u can only display the data ,insertion ,deletion of data is not possible with reports

reports: they can be used only for data extraction(simply we can say output)
it consists of 2 screens 1.selection screen (optional) 2.listoutput
where as in dialog program they can be used for data extraction
and manipulation (can perform DML operations)
it consists of n number of screens

What is Field symbol ?

You can use field symbols to make the program more dynamic. In this example the name of a table control is substituted
by a field symbol. Thus you can call the form with any internal table, using the name of the table control as a parameter.
Example
form insert_row
using p_tc_name.
field-symbols type cxtab_control. "Table control
assign (p_tc_name) to .

* insert 100 lines in table control
-lines = 100.
Field symbols are nothing but Placeholders, nothing but pointers. These are mainly used to find the value of particular field using the address.

What is the main point while using control break in internal table ?

for calculations purpose
like sub-total, grand total................
before using the control break events in internal table we should sort the internal table
we should use these events in loop and end loop only

Which is the final entry in BDC table?
F11
Program name
Transaction code
Internal table name
Answer : c

Select option work like _____________on Selection Screen ?
The system treats select-options like an internal table.
This table will have four columns - sign high low and option. This is used to set the attributes on the select
select-option is used to set a range so as to get the records specified in the range from a particular database table .

What is lock Object ?
lock objects used to synchronize access of several users using same data.
Lock Object is a relationship defined in the Data Dictionary between a main table and possible secondary tables.

what happen if i use control breaks statement in between select & end select ?
when we place control breaks statements with in
select & end-select then i will generate a compile time error and says us to use it in loop......end loop.

Who take care of data while passing to application server ?
database interpreter.

If i have table control, what is the same code in PBO and PAI ?
1. call module subscreen .
2. Loop at control
module
endloop.

why Transaction Variant need ?
You can run a transaction with preset data. This is useful for particular user groups who would have to manually enter data each time the transaction is run. You can establish several different variants per transaction, based on usage.

how can i get output on same page ?
If u r talking abt SAP SCRIPTS, you can do it easily by using
Protect
Endprotect.

What is the final entry in BDC Table ?
BDC_OKCODE
the final entry in bdc table is the value in the internal table .since bdcdata is the system-inbuilt bdc table the last field in the table is fvalthe value for fval is nothing but the value in the internal table. so, the final entry is the value of the internal table.

Which IDoc types are used in ALE for sending material master data, customer master data, vender master data, and BOM data.
material master table :matmas.
customer master table :cremas.
vendor master table:debmas

Difference between value table and check table?
check table is nothing but field level checking & value table is domain level checking. u can understand it with this ex scarr table is check table for carried.
Value table - It's a field in a domain it helps in domain level data validation.
Check table - unlike value table it helps in field level data validation.

How do you get output from IDOC?
data in IDoc is stored in segments the output from IDoc is obtained by reading the data stored in its respective segments.

How data is stored in cluster table?
In cluster table each field is acts as a record and it can store multiple records.
With the help of varkey and vardata

what is Elementary search helps, Collective search help.
elementary search help is for f4 help and collectice search help is the collection of elementary search helps
Elementary search helps defines a search path where we will define the table from which the data has to be read and the selection criteria. Through import and export parameters. Used when we gets the data from a single table.

Collective search helps:- Combination of elementary search helps. When we need to fetch data based on multiple selection criteria’s. More than one tables are
Selection from multiple tables

Have you used performance tuning? What major steps will you use for these?
The Main Transaction Code Involved in Performance Tuning is SE30-Run Time Analysis and ST05-SQL Tracer.
first of all tuning can be done
in three ways .. disk i/o ,sql tuning , memory tuning,
Before tuning u have to get the status of your database using
oracle utility called statpack , tkprof, then u should go for tunning
Have you worked with field groups? Have you used Import/Export statements?
Internal tables are used to hold the records, which have the fixed line structures. Where as Extract Datasets are used to hold the records, which have different, line structures.
These records are defined by Field Groups.
Field Groups are used to combine several fields under one name. But Field Group does not reserve memory to the fields but holds a pointer to the fields.

How to create client independent tables
Do not use the MANDT field of the MANDT in your table.

What type of user exits have you written?
there are four types
1.function exit
2.menu exit
3.screen exit.
4.field exit.
these are the user exits

Difference between client dependent and client independent tables?
tables which can be access by all user are client independent (no mandt field in table)
tables which can be access by some specific user are client dependent (use mandt field in table)

when we add a field MANDT of type CLNT then our table is client dependent and is visible to only that client. But if this Field is not added to the table then we can access the table using any client number

Difference between Search Helps and Match Codes
in 4.6b name is call it as matchcode.
in higher versions it is serarchhelps

how can you debug a script form?
SE71 -> give the form name -> utilities -> activate debugger

Can we create field without data element and how?
yes we can create field without data element, make it as direct type or Built-in Type.

When top of the page event is triggered?
when the first write statements is occurring that time top of page event is triggered.

What is open sql vs native sql?
open sql connect database through dbinterface.but native sql directly affected db(it is not recommended it useful for basis only)
native sql we can access tables with specific database .
open sql we can access tables regard less of its database system.

Have you created Maintenance dialog or Table Maintenance?
At the time of creating table through, there is a check box for table maintenance allowed. So if you want to activate the table maintenance, just mark this box. Once table gets activated, u can change its contents through SM30 ot Through Table Maintenance.

On which event we can validate the input fields in module programs?
In PROCESS AFTER INPUT EVENT

WHAT IS THE Structure of ABAP/4 program ?

Structure of ABAP/4 program is ,
1. Declaration
2. Dialog Module
3. Event Block
4. Procedure

What is the alternative to batch input session?
Call transaction.
Direct Input Method is also an alternative to Batch Input session

What should be the approach for writing a BDC program?
BDC methods approach can be classified in to three steps. They are
1.Uploading: In this step, data from Non-SAP system is transferred to Internal Table in Application Server of SAP system.
2.Mapping: In this step, data from Internal Table is mapped to the corresponding application screens using Transaction Codes.
3.Updating: In this step, data can be updated from application to database server.

What’s an effective way of using an internal table record? What are the types of internal tables?

among all methods of internal tables ,using and defining the internal tables by types statement is best and effective way, in internal tables three types are there 1.standard internal tables 2.sorted internal tables 3.hashed internal tables.
The types of internal tables are: standard table, sorted table and hashed table. Hash table is the most efficient of the three with a constant response time.
the effective way of using an internal table record is by using work area(WA) of the same structure AS THAT OF ITAB.
58. What is the advantage of structures? How do you use them in the ABAP programs?
Using a structure, user can add fields to the existing SAP database tables. Using .INCLUDE and .APPEND statements structures can be added to the database tables. Creating structures with in a structure is also possible. User can add maximum 9 structures to a database table.