Built-In Functions

Built-In Functions

This ABAP cheat sheet includes a variety of built-in functions in ABAP, along with code snippets to demonstrate their functionality. Many of the functions covered here are also included in other ABAP cheat sheets that focus on specific topics.

About Built-In Functions

ABAP offers a range of predefined built-in functions for different purposes. These include numeric functions for calculating numeric values, string functions for processing strings, table functions for working with internal tables, and more.

The functions can have one argument, which is a data object or an expression whose content is passed, or they can have multiple arguments, some of which may be optional in certain cases. Each function has a specific return value and can be specified in different positions.

Built-in functions are also available in ABAP SQL and ABAP CDS.

💡 Note

For more detailed information, refer to the topics linked in the More Information section.

Avoid naming your methods the same as built-in functions within classes. Otherwise, the methods will "hide" the built-in functions.

The examples in the ABAP cheat sheet are not comprehensive in terms of functions covered, syntax options and parameters used. Always refer to the ABAP Keyword Documentation for more details.

Disclaimer

Logical Functions

💡 Note

Logical functions in ABAP return a truth value, either true or false. They are primarily used in logical expressions, for example, in control statements like IF ... ELSE ... ENDIF, and other statements that involve conditions.

Note that ABAP does not have a Boolean data type for truth values, nor does it support Boolean data objects. Instead, the xsdbool function can be used to represent truth values in various situations where the abap_bool type from the abap type pool, i.e. the values abap_true ('X') and abap_false (''), is expected.

Many of the examples in this section utilize the xsdbool function to visualize the truth value, rather than using IF control structures, for example.

For more information, see here.

Function	Details/Code Snippet
`boolc`	Boolean function that returns a truth value. In this case, it is a single-character value of type `string`. When true, it returns the string `X`. When false, it returns a blank. The result is not to be compared with `abap_true` and `abap_false` (because of `c` to `string` conversion). To get the technical type `c` (with the values 'X' and ''), you can use the `xsdbool` function. "boolc returns an X or a blank of type string DATA(int) = 0. "X DATA(boolc1) = CONV abap_bool( boolc( int IS INITIAL ) ). "#X# DATA(boolc2) = \|#{ boolc( int IS INITIAL ) }#\|. "# # DATA(boolc3) = \|#{ boolc( int IS NOT INITIAL ) }#\|. "Using the translate function to return a value other than X/blank "1 DATA(boolc4) = translate( val = boolc( int BETWEEN -3 AND 3 ) from = `X` to = `1` ). "0 DATA(boolc5) = translate( val = boolc( int <> 0 ) from = ` ` to = `0` ).
`xsdbool`	Boolean function that returns a truth value. Similar to `boolc`, it returns the value `X` for true, and a blank for false. Unlike `boolc`, the return value is of type `c` of length 1, and can be compared with `abap_true` and `abap_false`. "abap_true DATA(xsdb1) = xsdbool( 3 > 1 ). "#X# DATA(xsdb2) = \|#{ xsdbool( 1 = 1 ) }#\|. "## DATA(xsdb3) = \|#{ xsdbool( 1 <> 1 ) }#\|. "Comparison with boolc "not equal IF boolc( 1 = 0 ) = xsdbool( 1 = 0 ). DATA(res) = `equal`. ELSE. res = `not equal`. ENDIF. "Using xsdbool instead of, for example, an IF control "structure or an expression with the COND operator "abap_true DATA(xsdb4) = xsdbool( -1 < 1 ). DATA truth_value1 TYPE abap_bool. IF -1 < 1. truth_value1 = abap_true. ELSE. truth_value1 = abap_false. ENDIF. DATA(truth_value2) = COND #( WHEN -1 < 1 THEN abap_true ELSE abap_false ).
`contains` `contains_any_of` `contains_any_not_of`	`contains` For checking a text string based on (optional) parameters `val`: Text string to be searched `sub`/`start`/`end`: Specifying a substring to be searched in `val` `off`/`len`: Specifying the search range `case`: Specifying the case-sensitivity (the search is case-sensistive by default) `pcre`: Specifying a regular expression `contains_any_of`/`contains_any_not_of` The functions only check individual characters passed to `sub`/`start`/`end` (or, in case of the negation, any characters that are not contained). The `pcre` parameter is not available. "-------------------- contains -------------------- "Specifying the minimum mandatory parameters "Unlike most of the following examples, this one uses an IF control structure to "visualize the truth value. DATA cont1 TYPE abap_bool. "abap_true IF contains( val = `abdefghijklmn` sub = `ghi` ). cont1 = abap_true. ELSE. cont1 = abap_false. ENDIF. "case (abap_true is the default) "abap_false DATA(cont2) = xsdbool( contains( val = `ABCDE` start = `ab` case = abap_true ) ). "abap_true DATA(cont3) = xsdbool( contains( val = `ABCDE` start = `ab` case = abap_false ) ). "end "abap_true DATA(cont4) = xsdbool( contains( val = `UVWXYZ` end = `xyz` case = abap_false ) ). "start "abap_false DATA(cont5) = xsdbool( contains( val = `123` start = `2` ) ). "off/len can also be specified individually "Not specifying off means 0 by default "abap_false DATA(cont6) = xsdbool( contains( val = `##ab## ##cd##` sub = `cd` len = 5 ) ). "abap_true DATA(cont7) = xsdbool( contains( val = `##ab## ##cd##` sub = `cd` off = 7 len = 5 ) ). "occ: False if there are more occurrences than specified for occ; i.e. in the following "example, specifying the values 1, 2, 3 returns true "abap_true is returned for the first 3 loop passes, abap_false for the fourth DO 4 TIMES. DATA(cont8) = xsdbool( contains( val = `ab#ab#ab#cd#ef#gh` sub = `ab` occ = sy-index ) ). ENDDO. "pcre "In the example, a blank is searched. "abap_true DATA(cont9) = xsdbool( contains( val = `Hallo world` pcre = `\s` ) ). "-------------------- contains_any_of -------------------- "abap_true DATA(cont10) = xsdbool( contains_any_of( val = `abcdefg` sub = `xyza` ) ). "abap_false DATA(cont11) = xsdbool( contains_any_of( val = `abcdefg` sub = `xyz` ) ). DATA(hi) = `1hallo`. DATA(abc) = `abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`. "abap_false DATA(cont12) = xsdbool( contains_any_of( val = hi start = abc ) ). "abap_true DATA(cont13) = xsdbool( contains_any_of( val = hi end = abc ) ). "-------------------- contains_any_not_of -------------------- "abap_true DATA(cont14) = xsdbool( contains_any_not_of( val = hi start = abc ) ). "abap_false DATA(cont15) = xsdbool( contains_any_not_of( val = hi end = abc ) ).
`matches`	Comparing a search range of a value with a regular expression. More optional parameters are available (e.g. `case`, `off`, `len`). "Checking validity of an email address "abap_true DATA(matches) = xsdbool( matches( val = `jon.doe@email.com` pcre = `\w+(\.\w+)*@(\w+\.)+(\w{2,4})` ) ).
`line_exists`	Checking whether a line exists in an internal table. A table expression must be specified. TYPES: BEGIN OF s, comp1 TYPE i, comp2 TYPE c LENGTH 3, END OF s. DATA itab TYPE TABLE OF s WITH EMPTY KEY. itab = VALUE #( ( comp1 = 1 comp2 = 'aaa' ) ( comp1 = 2 comp2 = 'bbb' ) ( comp1 = 3 comp2 = 'ccc' ) ). DATA(str_tab) = VALUE string_table( ( `abc` ) ( `def` ) ( `ghi` ) ). "abap_true DATA(line_exists1) = xsdbool( line_exists( itab[ 1 ] ) ). "abap_false DATA(line_exists2) = xsdbool( line_exists( itab[ 4 ] ) ). "abap_true DATA(line_exists3) = xsdbool( line_exists( itab[ comp1 = 2 ] ) ). "abap_true DATA(line_exists4) = xsdbool( line_exists( str_tab[ 2 ] ) ). "abap_false DATA(line_exists5) = xsdbool( line_exists( str_tab[ table_line = `xxx` ] ) ).

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Numeric Functions

Function	Details/Code Snippet
`abs` `sign` `ceil` `floor` `trunc` `frac` `ipow`	"----------- abs: Returning the absolute value ----------- "4.756 DATA(abs1) = abs( CONV decfloat34( '-4.756' ) ). "4 DATA(abs2) = abs( -4 ). "----------- sign: Evaluating the sign ----------- "-1 if negative, 0 if 0, 1 if positive "-1 DATA(sign1) = sign( -789 ). "0 DATA(sign2) = sign( 5 - 5 ). "1 DATA(sign3) = sign( -5 * -5 ). "----- ceil: smallest integer not less than the value specified ----- "5 DATA(ceil1) = ceil( CONV decfloat34( '4.999' ) ). "5 DATA(ceil2) = ceil( CONV decfloat34( '4.001' ) ). "-4 DATA(ceil3) = ceil( CONV decfloat34( '-4.999' ) ). "-4 DATA(ceil4) = ceil( CONV decfloat34( '-4.001' ) ). "----- floor: largest integer not less than the value specified ----- "4 DATA(floor1) = floor( CONV decfloat34( '4.999' ) ). "4 DATA(floor2) = floor( CONV decfloat34( '4.001' ) ). "-5 DATA(floor3) = floor( CONV decfloat34( '-4.999' ) ). "-5 DATA(floor4) = floor( CONV decfloat34( '-4.001' ) ). "------------- trunc: integer part ------------- "4 DATA(trunc1) = trunc( CONV decfloat34( '4.999' ) ). "4 DATA(trunc2) = trunc( CONV decfloat34( '4.001' ) ). "-4 DATA(trunc3) = trunc( CONV decfloat34( '-4.999' ) ). "-4 DATA(trunc4) = trunc( CONV decfloat34( '-4.001' ) ). "------------- frac: decimal places ------------- "0.999 DATA(frac1) = frac( CONV decfloat34( '4.999' ) ). "0.001 DATA(frac2) = frac( CONV decfloat34( '4.001' ) ). "-0.999 DATA(frac3) = frac( CONV decfloat34( '-4.999' ) ). "-0.001 DATA(frac4) = frac( CONV decfloat34( '-4.001' ) ). "------------- ipow: Calculalting the power ------------- "8 DATA(ipow1) = ipow( base = 2 exp = 3 ). "1 DATA(ipow2) = ipow( base = 10 exp = 0 ). "Exception is raised TRY. DATA(ipow3) = ipow( base = 10 exp = 100 ). CATCH cx_sy_arithmetic_overflow. ENDTRY.
`nmin` `nmax`	Numeric extremum functions that return the value of the largest or smallest of the passed arguments. "A minimum of two, and a maximum of 9 arguments can be specified. "Numeric data objects and numeric expressions are possible "0.999 DATA(nmin) = nmin( val1 = CONV decfloat34( '1.34' ) val2 = CONV decfloat34( '56.7' ) val3 = CONV decfloat34( '890.123' ) val4 = CONV decfloat34( '0.999' ) ). "890.123 DATA(nmax) = nmax( val1 = CONV decfloat34( '1.34' ) val2 = CONV decfloat34( '56.7' ) val3 = CONV decfloat34( '890.123' ) val4 = CONV decfloat34( '0.999' ) ).
`acos` `asin` `atan` `cos` `sin` `tan` `cosh` `sinh` `tanh` `exp` `log` `log10` `sqrt`	Regarding the details of the result and type conversion of floating point functions, refer to the ABAP Keyword Documentation. The following snippet shows a small selection. "Calculating the square root "3 DATA(sqrt1) = sqrt( CONV decfloat34( '9' ) ). "6.4 DATA(sqrt2) = sqrt( CONV decfloat34( '40.96' ) ). "Calculating the logarithm to base 10 "3 DATA(log10) = log10( CONV decfloat34( '1000' ) ). "-0.988031... DATA(sine) = sin( '30' ). "0.525321... DATA(cosine) = cos( '45' ). "-1.9952... DATA(tangent) = tan( '90' ).
`round` `rescale`	Rounding functions expect a decimal floating point number as argument. The return value is of type `decfloat34`. The functions can be used to round to decimal places and precisions. In addition, rounding rules can be specified. For more details, refer to the ABAP Keyword Documentation. "Rounding to decimal places "1.24 DATA(round1) = round( val = CONV decfloat34( '1.2374' ) dec = 2 ). "1.237 DATA(round2) = round( val = CONV decfloat34( '1.2374' ) dec = 3 ). "Rounding to precision "1.234567890E+12 DATA(round3) = round( val = CONV decfloat34( '1234567890123' ) prec = 10 ). "1.23E+3 DATA(round4) = round( val = CONV decfloat34( '1234' ) prec = 3 ). "Rescaling function "Similar to the round function, the dec (for scaling) or prec (for precision) "parameters must be specified. The input is rounded if required. "1235 DATA(rescale1) = rescale( val = CONV decfloat34( '1234.56789' ) dec = 0 ). "1234.6 DATA(rescale2) = rescale( val = CONV decfloat34( '1234.56789' ) dec = 1 ). "1.23E+3 DATA(rescale3) = rescale( val = CONV decfloat34( '1234.56789' ) prec = 3 ). "1234.567890 DATA(rescale4) = rescale( val = CONV decfloat34( '1234.56789' ) prec = 10 ).

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String Functions

Function	Details/Code Snippet
`numofchar` `strlen` `xstrlen`	For determining the length of a string, i.e. the number of characters contained in a string. "numofchar: Trailing blanks are not counted in both strings of fixed and variable length "strlen: Trailing blanks are not counted in strings of fixed length; in strings of " variable length, they are counted "3 DATA(numofchar1) = numofchar( 'abc ' ). "3 DATA(numofchar2) = numofchar( `abc ` ). "3 DATA(strlen1) = strlen( 'abc ' ). "6 DATA(strlen2) = strlen( `abc ` ). "xstrlen for type xstring DATA(xstr) = CONV xstring( `480065006C006C006F00200077006F0072006C0064002100` ). "24 DATA(len_xstr) = xstrlen( xstr ). "xstring -> string "Hello world! DATA(conv_str) = cl_abap_conv_codepage=>create_in( )->convert( xstr ).
`cmin` `cmax`	Character-like extremum value functions return a string that contains the content of the smallest or biggest of a set of character-like arguments. DATA(cmin) = cmin( val1 = `zzzzzzz` val2 = `zzazzzzzzzz` "smallest argument val3 = `zzzzabc` ). DATA(cmax) = cmax( val1 = `abcdef` "biggest argument val2 = `aaghij` val3 = `aaaaklmn` val4 = `aaaaaaopqrs` val5 = `aaaaaaaaaatuvwxy` val6 = `aaaaaaaaaaaaaz` ).
`find` `find_end` `find_any_of` `find_any_not_of`	Search functions DATA(str) = `Pieces of cakes.`. "---------------- find ---------------- "The find function searches for the substring specified and returns the offset "7 DATA(find1) = find( val = str sub = `of` ). "-1 (no finding) DATA(find2) = find( val = str sub = `x` ). "case "0 DATA(find3) = find( val = str sub = `p` case = abap_false ). "off/len "-1 (no finding) DATA(find4) = find( val = str sub = `ca` off = 4 len = 5 ). "10 DATA(find5) = find( val = str sub = `ca` off = 4 len = 10 ). "occ "4 DATA(find6) = find( val = str sub = `es` occ = 1 ). "13 DATA(find7) = find( val = str sub = `es` occ = 2 ). "-1 (no third occurrence) DATA(find8) = find( val = str sub = `es` occ = 3 ). "pcre "15 DATA(find9) = find( val = str pcre = `\.` ). "---------------- find_end ---------------- "find_end returns the sum of the offset of the occurrence plus the length of the match "9 (7 + 2) DATA(find_end1) = find_end( val = str sub = `of` ). "7 (6 + 1) DATA(find_end2) = find_end( val = str pcre = `\s` ). "---------------- find_any_of ---------------- "find_any_of returns the offset of the occurrence of any character contained "in a substring. The search is always case-sensitive. "2 (character e is found) DATA(find_any_of1) = find_any_of( val = str sub = `x523z4e` ). "-1 DATA(find_any_of2) = find_any_of( val = str sub = `zwq85t` ). "---------------- find_any_not_of ---------------- "find_any_not_of is the negation of find_any_of "0 (very first character in the searched string) DATA(find_any_not_of1) = find_any_not_of( val = str sub = `ieces` ). "1 DATA(find_any_not_of2) = find_any_not_of( val = str sub = `P` ).
`count` `count_any_of` `count_any_not_of`	Returning the number of all occurrences in a string DATA(st) = `Pieces of cakes.`. "---------------- count ---------------- "3 DATA(count1) = count( val = st sub = `e` ). "0 DATA(count2) = count( val = st sub = `x` ). "case (case-sensitive by default) "1 DATA(count3) = count( val = st sub = `p` case = abap_false ). "off/len (off is 0 by default; len is the length of sting by default minus offset) "2 DATA(count4) = count( val = st sub = `es` off = 3 ). "1 DATA(count5) = count( val = st sub = `es` off = 9 ). "2 DATA(count6) = count( val = st sub = `es` off = 3 len = 12 ). "0 DATA(count7) = count( val = st sub = `es` len = 5 ). "pcre "2 DATA(count8) = count( val = st pcre = `\s` ). "16 DATA(count9) = count( val = st pcre = `.` ). "---------------- count_any_of ---------------- "3 (e characters) DATA(count_any_of1) = count_any_of( val = st sub = `x523z4e` ). "6 (3 e, 2 c, 1 o) DATA(count_any_of2) = count_any_of( val = st sub = `eco` ). "---------------- count_any_not_of ---------------- "14 DATA(count_any_not_of1) = count_any_not_of( val = st sub = `fP` ). "0 (all are included) DATA(count_any_not_of2) = count_any_not_of( val = st sub = `Piecs ofak.` ).
`distance`	Returning the Levenshtein distance between two strings, which reflects their similarity DATA(str_to_check) = `abap`. "0 DATA(dist1) = distance( val1 = str_to_check val2 = `abap` ). "1 DATA(dist2) = distance( val1 = str_to_check val2 = `axbap` ). "4 DATA(dist3) = distance( val1 = str_to_check val2 = `yabyyapy` ). "5 DATA(dist4) = distance( val1 = str_to_check val2 = `zabapzzzzzzzzzzzz` max = 5 ).
`repeat`	Repeating strings as many times as specified "abapabapabapabapabap DATA(repeat1) = repeat( val = `abap` occ = 5 ). "# # DATA(repeat2) = \|#{ repeat( val = ` ` occ = 10 ) }#\|. "Y (initial value returned) DATA(repeat3) = COND #( WHEN repeat( val = `a` occ = 0 ) = `` THEN `Y` ELSE `Z` ).
`condense`	Condensing strings DATA(str_to_condense) = ` ab cd `. "No parameters specified, i. e. their default values are provided. "Works like CONDENSE statement without the NO-GAPS addition. "ab cd DATA(condense1) = condense( str_to_condense ). "Parameters del/to not specified. from parameter with initial string "(could also be a text field literal: from = ' '). This way, leading and "trailing blanks are removed. "ab cd DATA(condense2) = condense( val = str_to_condense from = `` ). "Parameter to specified with an initial string. No other parameters. "Works like the CONDENSE statement with the NO-GAPS addition. "abcd DATA(condense3) = condense( val = str_to_condense to = `` ). "Parameter del specifies the leading/trailing characters to be removed. "see###you DATA(condense4) = condense( val = `##see###you##` del = `#` ). "If from and to are specified along with del, leading/trailing characters "specified in del are first removed. Then, in the remaining string, all "substrings composed of characters specified in from are replaced with the "first character of the string specified in the to parameter. "Rock'n'Roll DATA(condense5) = condense( val = ` Rock'xxx'Roller` del = `re ` from = `x` to = `n` ).
`concat_lines_of`	Concatenating internal tables into strings DATA(stringtable) = VALUE string_table( ( `a` ) ( `b` ) ( `c` ) ). "abc DATA(con1) = concat_lines_of( table = stringtable ). "a b c DATA(con2) = concat_lines_of( table = stringtable sep = ` ` ). "a/b/c DATA(con3) = concat_lines_of( table = stringtable sep = `/` ).
`reverse`	Reversing strings "abap DATA(reverse) = reverse( `paba` ).
`escape`	Escaping special characters according to the specification in the `format` parameter. Suitable values for the `format` parameter (which expects a data object of type `i`) are available in the `CL_ABAP_FORMAT` class (the constants starting with `E_`). "Context: URLs "...test%3A%205%408... DATA(esc1) = escape( val = '...test: 5@8...' format = cl_abap_format=>e_url_full ). "Context: JSON "some \"test\" json \\ with backslash and double quotes DATA(esc2) = escape( val = 'some "test" json \ with backslash and double quotes' format = cl_abap_format=>e_json_string ). "Context: String templates "Special characters in string templates: \\|, \\, \{, \} DATA(esc3) = escape( val = 'Special characters in string templates: \|, \, {, }' format = cl_abap_format=>e_string_tpl ).
`insert`	Inserting strings DATA(to_be_inserted) = `ABAP`. "#ABAP DATA(insert1) = insert( val = to_be_inserted sub = `#` ). "A#BAP DATA(insert2) = insert( val = to_be_inserted sub = `#` off = 1 ). "ABAP# DATA(insert3) = insert( val = to_be_inserted sub = `#` off = strlen( to_be_inserted ) ).
`match`	Returning substrings that match regular expressions "jon.doe@email.com DATA(match1) = match( val = `The email address is jon.doe@email.com.` pcre = `\w+(\.\w+)*@(\w+\.)+(\w{2,4})` ). "Find blank (without inlcuding it in the result indicated by \K) and "the following 2 characters, second occurrence "ad DATA(match2) = match( val = `The email address is jon.doe@email.com.` pcre = `\s\K..` occ = 2 ).
`replace`	Replacements in strings DATA(to_be_replaced) = `Pieces of cakes.`. "Piec# of cakes. DATA(replace1) = replace( val = to_be_replaced sub = `es` with = `#` ). "case "#ieces of cakes. DATA(replace2) = replace( val = to_be_replaced sub = `p` case = abap_false with = `#` ). "occ "Pieces of#cakes. DATA(replace3) = replace( val = to_be_replaced sub = ` ` occ = 2 with = `#` ). "The value 0 in occ means respecting all occurrences. "Pi#c#s of cak#s. DATA(replace4) = replace( val = to_be_replaced sub = `e` occ = 0 with = `#` ). "pcre "Pieces#of cakes. DATA(replace5) = replace( val = to_be_replaced pcre = `\s` with = `#` ). "Pieces of#cakes. DATA(replace6) = replace( val = to_be_replaced pcre = `\s` occ = 2 with = `#` ). "Replacement determined by offset/length specification only (no sub/pcre specification) "Piece#s of cakes. DATA(replace7) = replace( val = to_be_replaced off = 5 with = `#` ). "#s of cakes. DATA(replace8) = replace( val = to_be_replaced len = 5 with = `#` ). "Pie#cakes. DATA(replace9) = replace( val = to_be_replaced off = 3 len = 7 with = `#` ).
`segment`	Returning the occurrence of a segment that is defined by limits, which are not part of the segments. "index: Number of segment "sep: Substring specified is searched and used as limit "Hallo DATA(segment1) = segment( val = `Hallo,world,123` index = 1 sep = `,` ). "123 DATA(segment2) = segment( val = `Hallo,world,123` index = -1 sep = `,` ). "world DATA(segment3) = segment( val = `Hallo<br>world<br>123` index = 2 sep = `<br>` ). "space: Each individual character is searched and used as limit DATA(to_be_segmented) = `a/b#c d.e`. "b DATA(segment4) = segment( val = `a/b#c d.e` index = 2 space = `. #/` ). DATA segment_tab TYPE string_table. DO. TRY. INSERT segment( val = to_be_segmented index = sy-index space = `. #/` ) INTO TABLE segment_tab. CATCH cx_sy_strg_par_val. EXIT. ENDTRY. ENDDO. Content of segment_tab a b c d e
`shift_left` `shift_right`	Shifting content DATA(to_be_shifted) = ` hallo `. "------------------- shift_left ------------------- "'llo ' DATA(shift_left1) = shift_left( val = to_be_shifted places = 3 ). "circular parameter: characters that are moved out of the string are "added at the other end again "'allo h' DATA(shift_left2) = shift_left( val = to_be_shifted circular = 2 ). "'lo ' DATA(shift_left3) = shift_left( val = to_be_shifted sub = ` hal` ). "No parameter except val: Behaves as if sub was passed a blank character "'hallo ' (works as the following example) DATA(shift_left4) = shift_left( val = to_be_shifted ). "'hallo ' DATA(shift_left5) = shift_left( val = to_be_shifted sub = ` ` ). "------------------- shift_right ------------------- "' hal' DATA(shift_right1) = shift_right( val = to_be_shifted places = 3 ). "'o hall' DATA(shift_right2) = shift_right( val = to_be_shifted circular = 2 ). "' hall' DATA(shift_right3) = shift_right( val = to_be_shifted sub = `o ` ). "' hallo' DATA(shift_right4) = shift_right( val = to_be_shifted ).
`substring` `substring_after` `substring_before` `substring_to` `substring_from`	Processing substrings DATA(s4func) = `Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet`. "------------------- substring ------------------- "Extracting substring starting at a specific position "'len' not specified means the rest of the remaining characters is "respected "ipsum dolor sit amet DATA(substr1) = substring( val = s4func off = 6 ). "Extracting substring with a specific length "'off' is not specified and has the default value 0. "Lorem DATA(substr2) = substring( val = s4func len = 5 ). "Specifying both off and len parameters "ipsum DATA(substr3) = substring( val = s4func off = 6 len = 5 ). "------------------- substring_after ------------------- "Extracting a substring ... "... after a specified substring "em ipsum dolor sit amet (only the first occurrence is respected) DATA(substr_after1) = substring_after( val = s4func sub = `or` ). "... after a specified substring specifying the occurence in a string "and restricting the length "occ/case "' sit am' DATA(substr_after2) = substring_after( val = s4func sub = `oR` occ = 2 len = 7 case = abap_false ). "pcre "olor sit amet DATA(substr_after3) = substring_after( val = s4func pcre = `\s.` occ = 2 ). "------------------- substring_before ------------------- "... before a specified substring "Lorem ips DATA(substr_before) = substring_before( val = s4func sub = `um` ). "------------------- substring_from ------------------- "... from a specified substring on. It includes the substring specified "in sub. len/off and other parameters are possible. "um dolor sit amet DATA(substr_from) = substring_from( val = s4func sub = `um` ). "Compared to substring_after "' dolor sit amet' DATA(substr_after4) = substring_after( val = s4func sub = `um` ). "------------------- substring_to ------------------- "... up to a specified substring. It includes the substring specified "in sub. len/off and other parameters are possible. "Lorem ipsum DATA(substr_to) = substring_to( val = s4func sub = `um` ).
`to_upper` `to_lower` `from_mixed` `to_mixed`	Transforming strings "------------------- to_upper ------------------- "ABAP DATA(upper1) = to_upper( `AbaP` ). DATA(upper2) = to_upper( `abap` ). "------------------- to_lower ------------------- "abap DATA(lower1) = to_lower( `AbaP` ). DATA(lower2) = to_lower( `ABAP` ). "------------------- from_mixed ------------------- "sep: Inserts the first character specified in sep before each uppercase letter "from left to right, starting with the second position "A#B#A#P DATA(from_mixed1) = from_mixed( val = `ABAP` sep = `#` ). "If 'case' is not specified or if the first character in the 'case' parameter is an "uppercase letter, the entire string is transformed to uppercase, otherwise to "lowercase. "ABA#P DATA(from_mixed2) = from_mixed( val = `AbaP` sep = `#` ). "Underscore is the default separator "ABA_P DATA(from_mixed3) = from_mixed( val = `AbaP` ). "ABA#P (same as previous example) DATA(from_mixed4) = from_mixed( val = `AbaP` sep = `#` case = 'X' ). "aba#p DATA(from_mixed5) = from_mixed( val = `AbaP` sep = `#` case = 'x' ). "min: Passing a positive number to specify a minimum number of characters "that must appear before an uppercase letter from the start of the string "or since the last insertion so that a separator is inserted. The default "value for 'min' is 1. "A#BA#P DATA(from_mixed6) = from_mixed( val = `ABaP` sep = `#` min = 1 ). "ABAA#AAAAA#AP DATA(from_mixed7) = from_mixed( val = `ABaaAaaaaAP` sep = `#` min = 3 ). "------------------- to_mixed ------------------- "Transforming all letters in the string to lowercase letters from the second "position on. From left to right from the second position on, it removes "occurrences of the first character specified in the 'sep' parameter from the "string and transforms the next letter to an uppercase letter. "Default separator _ "AbcDeFgHi DATA(to_mixed1) = to_mixed( val = `Abc_de_fg_hi` ). "AbcDeFgHi DATA(to_mixed2) = to_mixed( val = `Abc/de/fg/hi` sep = `/` ). "Specifying the case parameter "abcDeFgHi DATA(to_mixed3) = to_mixed( val = `AbcXdeXfgXhi` sep = `X` case = 'x' ). "Specifying the min operator "AbcDeFgHi DATA(to_mixed4) = to_mixed( val = `Abc/de/fg/hi` sep = `/` min = 2 ). "Abc/deFghijklmnoPq DATA(to_mixed5) = to_mixed( val = `Abc/de/fghijklmno/pq` sep = `/` min = 5 ).
`translate`	Replacing characters DATA(to_be_translated) = `___abc_def_____ghi_`. "Each character that occurs in the 'from' parameter is replaced by the character "that occurs in the same place in the 'to' parameter as in the 'from' parameter. "If 'to' is shorter than 'from', the surplus characters from 'from' are removed "from the string. "abcdefg#? DATA(translate1) = translate( val = to_be_translated from = `hi_` to = `#?` ). "###abc#def#####ghi# DATA(translate2) = translate( val = to_be_translated from = `_` to = `#?` ).

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Time Stamp Functions

Function	Details/Code Snippet
`utclong_current`	Retrieving UTC time stamps "The return value has the type utclong. "e.g. 2024-01-01 15:45:46.2695940 DATA(ts1) = utclong_current( ).
`utclong_add`	Adding values to time stamps DATA(utc4calc) = CONV utclong( '2024-01-01 15:55:14.1173220' ). "At least one parameter must be specified besides 'val'. "Note that there are no parameters for years and months. "Adding one hour "e.g. 2024-01-01 16:55:14.1173220 DATA(ts2) = utclong_add( val = utc4calc hours = 1 ). "Subtracting one hour by passing a negative integer value (no "separate substract function is available) "e.g. 2024-01-01 14:55:14.1173220 DATA(ts3) = utclong_add( val = utc4calc hours = -1 ). "Using all parameters "e.g. 2024-01-02 18:09:07.2373220 DATA(ts4) = utclong_add( val = utc4calc days = 1 hours = 2 minutes = CONV int8( '13' ) seconds = CONV decfloat34( '53.12' ) ).
`utclong_diff`	Calculating the time difference between the values of two time stamp fields DATA(ts5) = CONV utclong( '2024-01-01 05:30:00' ). DATA(ts6) = CONV utclong( '2024-01-01 06:30:00' ). "The return value has the type decfloat34. It contains the exact difference in seconds. "3600 DATA(ts_diff1) = utclong_diff( high = ts6 low = ts5 ). "-3600 DATA(ts_diff2) = utclong_diff( high = ts5 low = ts6 ).

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Table Functions

💡 Note
See the line_exists function in the Logical Functions section.

Function Details/Code Snippet

lines

Returning the number of lines in internal tables

DATA(strtab) = VALUE string_table( ( `aaa` ) ( `bbb` ) ( `ccc` ) ( `ddd` ) ( `eee` ) ).

"5
DATA(lines1) = lines( strtab ). 

DELETE strtab INDEX 1.
"4
DATA(lines2) = lines( strtab ). 

CLEAR strtab.
"0
DATA(lines3) = lines( strtab ).

line_index

Returning the number of the line found using table expressions with respect to the table index used

TYPES: BEGIN OF st,
          comp1 TYPE i,
          comp2 TYPE c LENGTH 3,
          comp3 TYPE c LENGTH 3,
        END OF st.
DATA itab_em TYPE TABLE OF st WITH EMPTY KEY.
DATA itab_sec TYPE HASHED TABLE OF st
              WITH UNIQUE KEY comp1
              WITH NON-UNIQUE SORTED KEY sk COMPONENTS comp2.

itab_em = VALUE #( ( comp1 = 1 comp2 = 'e' comp3 = 'z' )
                   ( comp1 = 2 comp2 = 'd' comp3 = 'y' )
                   ( comp1 = 3 comp2 = 'c' comp3 = 'x' )
                   ( comp1 = 4 comp2 = 'b' comp3 = 'w' )
                   ( comp1 = 5 comp2 = 'a' comp3 = 'v' ) ).

itab_sec = itab_em.
DATA(itab_str) = VALUE string_table( ( `aaa` ) ( `bbb` ) ( `ccc` ) ( `ddd` ) ( `eee` ) ).

"Note: 
"The table expression must be determined by a key specification (explicit table 
"key, free key).

"Using a free key
"1
DATA(line_index1) = line_index( itab_em[ comp1 = 1 ] ). 

"2
DATA(line_index2) = line_index( itab_em[ comp2 = 'd' ] ). 

"Note: A hashed table does not have a primary table index. The result is -1.
DATA(line_index3) = line_index( itab_sec[ KEY primary_key comp1 = 1 ] ). 

"Hashed tables can be assigned a secondary table index using a secondary 
"table key.
"4
DATA(line_index4) = line_index( itab_sec[ KEY sk comp2 = 'd' ] ). 

"1
DATA(line_index5) = line_index( itab_sec[ KEY sk comp2 = 'a' ] ). 

"Specifying the pseudo component table_line
"1
DATA(line_index6) = line_index( itab_str[ table_line = `aaa` ] ). 

"0
DATA(line_index7) = line_index( itab_str[ table_line = `zzz` ] ).

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