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Data Objects and Data References in Release 4.6A

In Release 4.6A, references to data objects have been introduced in the following variants:


1. Reference variables for data objects


2. Creating data objects and getting references


3. Assignment of referenced fields



Modification 1

Reference Variables for Data Objects


Previously, reference variables were only available in ABAP Objects. In Release 4.6A, DATA f TYPE REF TO DATA can be used to declare f as a reference variable that points to a different data object.



Modification 2

Creating Data Objects and Getting References


CREATE DATA dref ... can be used to create a new data object (field) at runtime, where dref can be any reference variable with type REF TO DATA. Furthermore, GET REFERENCE can be used to get a reference to a data object (field).



Modification 3

Assignment of Referenced Fields


The statement ASSIGN dref->* TO <fs> makes the field symbol <fs> point to the same content as the data reference dref at runtime. If the field symbol is typed, the type is checked when the assignment is made.