CDS Views
In SAP environment
Introduction of CDS view
A CDS (Core Data Services) View in SAP is a virtual data model that enables efficient data retrieval and
manipulation at the database layer using a Rule-based methodology. It integrates seamlessly with SAP
frameworks, providing features like performance optimization, metadata annotations, and role-based
security.
A set of domain specific languages CDS used for Defining and consuming
and Services called CDS Semantical Rich Data Model
Domain specific languages
DDL → Data definition Language
(Used to define or modify database structures, like creating, altering, or deleting tables)
DQL → Data Query Language
( Focused on querying data from the database, typically using the SELECT statement )
DCL → Data Control Language
( Manages permissions and access to the database, controlling who can perform what actions )
Semantical rich data models
Annotations Expressions Associations
Annotation is used for providing used to define calculations,
Extra or Additional information conditions, and transformations It’s the Relationship
to the CDS view directly within a CDS view between source entity and
Target entity
Pre-Requestion for Create CDS view
Basic Pre-install
IDE → Eclipse
Understanding DDLC tools in
ADT
of Database Eclipse ADT
Aspect SQL Queries CDS views
Understanding
CDS view Definition A procedural query
language for relational
databases.
A high-level Structural data
model within SAP.
• Easiest way for Reusability Queries are typically static Views are reusable across
and need to be rewritten. SAP applications.
understanding CDS view ,
just compare and learn
with SQL query Annotations No native support for Built-in support for
annotations. annotations (e.g., UI,
metadata).
Extensibility Static queries are harder Supports extensions and
to extend without enhancements in SAP
rewriting. systems.
• SQL → Structural Quarry Language use to manage data in database
• Basic syntax of SQL
Comparing CDS view with SQL for Easy to
Understand
CDS View → Core Data Services
Basic syntax of CDS view
INTERMADATE CONCEPTS
Key Function Available in CDS views
NUMERIC FUNCTIONS STRING FUNCTIONS SPECIAL FUNCTIONS
Numeric functions :
• ABS (arg)
• CEIL (arg)
• DIV (arg1, arg2)
• DIVISION (arg1, arg2, dec)
• FLOOR (arg)
• MOD (arg1, arg2)
String Functions :
• CONCAT(arg1, arg2) .
• CONCAT_WITH_SPACE(arg1, arg2, spaces )
• INSTR(arg, sub)
• LEFT(arg, len)
• LENGTH(arg)
• LTRIM(arg, char)
• REPLACE(arg1, arg2, arg3)
• RIGHT(arg,len) RPAD(arg, len, src)
• RTRIM(arg, char)
• SUBSTRING(arg, pos, len)
• Special functions
• Conversion function
• Data Function & Time function
• Type conversion function
• Unit & currency conversion function
• Annotations
ADVANCED • Expressions
• Associations
CONCEPTS
Annotations in
CDS
• Annotation is used for providing
Extra or Additional information to
the CDS view
• Category of CDS view : Header
and Elementary level Annotations
• Basic Syntax : [
@<Group>.<Function> :
<‘Value’>]
• Example : @EndUserText.label:
‘Demo_table_description’
Associations in CDS
• Association is the Relationship between
source entity(E.g.. source_table) and Target
entity(E.g.. Target_table)
• This is also Known as Lazy joins or Joins on
demand
• Syntax : <table 1> association[1..*] to
<table 2>
on <table1_field1> =<table2_field1>
How CDS • Sort description of OData(Open Data Protocol ) : it’s a type of
API .
integrate with • Simple way for using OData in CDS by Using OData annotation
• Syntax : @OData.publish: true
ODATA • Create the OData service
Use /IWFND/MAINT_SERVICE (Transaction)
To Create OData Service using CDS view name
Output data (Json format)
Advantages of CDS view
CDS (Core Data Services) views revolutionize how data is modeled,
retrieved, and consumed in SAP environments.
They provide a declarative, efficient, and reusable approach compared to
traditional SQL queries.
By pushing business logic to the database layer (code pushdown), CDS
views enhance performance, simplify maintenance, and seamlessly
integrate with SAP tools like Fiori, OData, and Analytics.
when we use CDS view when we use Open SQL
When we have reusability If we are doing dynamic programming
When we need access control on If we need to use for all entries (to
Conclusion select use buffering for example)
ODATA service creation through We have to manipulate the data in
annotation are using domain-specific database( update, modify,
• CDS view and Open SQL metadata delete ) in the ABAP runtime
is not a Competitors Environment
• Instead of being
competitors, ABAP CDS CDS can be able to handle multiple
and Open SQL support data type using AMDP method
one another Some function is available only in CDS
( Quantity conversion only present in
CDS ) and can push down logic to the
database.
When we need to create data model
which can across technologies
(ODATA, RAP, CAP)
THANK YOU
Special thanks, Jagadeesh , Ganesh Murugan , AMS
team
