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ABAP Keyword Documentation → ABAP Programming Guidelines → Robust ABAP → Data Types and Data Objects →Reference to Data Types or Data Objects
Background
As well as using data types for declarations and typings with the addition TYPE, you can use the alternative addition LIKE of the corresponding statements to directly reference the data type of one of the data objects visible at this position. This includes references to data objects of the same program, interface parameters of the current procedure, attributes of global classes and interfaces, and constants in type groups.
Rule
Declare dependent data objects with reference to other data objects
If a data object directly depends on another data object, refer to it directly using LIKE for the declaration. In all other cases, use TYPE to refer to a standalone data type.
Details
For example, if a helper variable of the type of an input parameter is required within a procedure (method), you should not declare it with reference to the type of the parameter using TYPE but with reference to the parameter itself using LIKE. You can also declare work areas using LIKE LINE OF if the parameter is an internal table. In the case of typing with LIKE, you can retroactively change the type of the parameter without always having to adapt the procedure implementation.
However, if no close reference to another data object exists, it is usually more useful to declare data objects with reference to a standalone data type by using TYPE.
Note
You should never implement an obsolete reference to flat structures or database tables or views of the ABAP Dictionary with LIKE.
Bad example
The following source code shows the declaration of a helper variable in a method that is supposed to be of the same data type as an interface parameter. The TYPE reference to the data type requires a manual implementation of any type changes.
Good example
The following source code shows the improved declaration of the helper variable that now directly refers to the interface parameter with LIKE, so that possible type changes are automatically accepted.