SAP ABAP development · Lesson

Data types

Quick answer

Correct types prevent truncation, rounding and conversion errors, especially for amounts (use packed p or currency/quantity dictionary types, never float for money).

Key takeaways

Rather than hard-coding lengths, ABAP encourages typing from the ABAP Dictionary, data elements and domains that define a field’s…
Character: c (fixed char), string (variable), n (numeric text).
Numeric: i (integer), p (packed decimal, for amounts), f (float), and modern int8/decfloat.
Watch out: Using float (f) for money, use packed/currency types.

Elementary built-in types

Character: c (fixed char), string (variable), n (numeric text).
Numeric: i (integer), p (packed decimal, for amounts), f (float), and modern int8/decfloat.
Date/time: d (date, YYYYMMDD), t (time).
Byte: x (hex), xstring.

Dictionary types

Rather than hard-coding lengths, ABAP encourages typing from the ABAP Dictionary, data elements and domains that define a field’s type, length and semantics centrally. Typing a variable as, say, MATNR (material number) gives it the correct, consistent definition used across SAP.

Declaring variables

DATA: lv_count TYPE i,
      lv_amount TYPE p LENGTH 9 DECIMALS 2,
      lv_matnr  TYPE matnr,        " dictionary type
      lv_text   TYPE string.

Why types matter

Correct types prevent truncation, rounding and conversion errors, especially for amounts (use packed p or currency/quantity dictionary types, never float for money). Dictionary typing also keeps custom code consistent with SAP’s data model.

Common pitfalls

Using float (f) for money, use packed/currency types.
Hard-coding lengths instead of dictionary types.
Character/numeric confusion causing conversion errors.

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Check your understanding

Which statement is true of Data types?
- A. Typing a variable as, say, MATNR (material number) gives it the correct, consistent definition used across…
- B. ME22N is the SAP transaction code for Change Purchase Order (MM).
- C. SAP skills power some of the most stable, well-paid careers in enterprise IT, because SAP runs the core of…
Show answer
A. Typing a variable as, say, MATNR (material number) gives it the correct, consistent definition used across…
Covered in the “Dictionary types” section of this lesson.
Which of these also applies to Data types?
- A. Collapsing the tiers mentally, they are distinct for good reasons.
- B. Learning features, not the end-to-end process.
- C. Dictionary typing also keeps custom code consistent with SAP’s data model.
Show answer
C. Dictionary typing also keeps custom code consistent with SAP’s data model.
Covered in the “Why types matter” section of this lesson.
Which part of the Learn SAP curriculum covers Data types?
- A. SAP administration
- B. SAP projects
- C. SAP ABAP development
Show answer
C. SAP ABAP development
This lesson sits in the SAP ABAP development section of the Learn SAP course.

Frequently asked questions

What does the term Data types refer to in SAP?

Data types define the kind and size of data an ABAP variable holds. ABAP has a rich type system, built-in elementary types, dictionary types, and complex types, and using the right types is fundamental to correct, maintainable programs.

What is another point to note about Data types?

Correct types prevent truncation, rounding and conversion errors, especially for amounts (use packed p or currency/quantity dictionary types, never float for money).

What else is worth knowing about Data types?

Rather than hard-coding lengths, ABAP encourages typing from the ABAP Dictionary, data elements and domains that define a field’s type, length and semantics centrally.

What tends to go wrong with Data types?

Using float (f) for money, use packed/currency types. Hard-coding lengths instead of dictionary types. Character/numeric confusion causing conversion errors.