| name | sap-abap-cds |
| description | Comprehensive SAP ABAP CDS (Core Data Services) reference for data modeling, view development, and semantic enrichment. Use when creating CDS views or view entities, defining data models with annotations, working with associations and cardinality, implementing input parameters, using built-in functions, writing CASE expressions, implementing access control with DCL, handling CURR/QUAN data types, troubleshooting CDS errors, querying CDS views from ABAP, or displaying data with SALV IDA. Covers ABAP 7.4+ through ABAP Cloud. |
| license | GPL-3.0 |
| metadata | {"version":"1.1.0","last_verified":"2026-04-02","abap_release":"7.4 SP8+ / 7.50+ / ABAP Cloud","sources":["https://help.sap.com/doc/abapdocu_cp_index_htm/CLOUD/en-US/abencds.html","https://github.com/SAP-samples/abap-cheat-sheets"],"keywords":["ABAP CDS","Core Data Services","CDS view","CDS view entity","define view","DDL","DCL","annotations","@AbapCatalog","@AccessControl","@EndUserText","@Semantics","@UI","@Consumption","@ObjectModel","associations","cardinality","path expressions","input parameters","WITH PARAMETERS","built-in functions","CASE expression","CAST","session variables","GROUP BY","HAVING","joins","access control","DEFINE ROLE","pfcg_auth","SALV IDA","Eclipse ADT","CDS annotations","Fiori Elements","OData","RAP","currencyCode","unitOfMeasure","SD_CDS_ENTITY105"]} |
SAP ABAP CDS (Core Data Services)
Related Skills
- sap-abap: Use for ABAP programming patterns used with CDS or when implementing EML statements in ABAP
- sap-btp-cloud-platform: Use for CDS deployment scenarios on BTP or ABAP Environment configurations
- sap-fiori-tools: Use when building Fiori Elements applications that consume CDS views or working with UI annotations
- sap-cap-capire: Use for comparing CDS syntax between ABAP and CAP or when integrating ABAP CDS with CAP services
- sap-api-style: Use when documenting CDS-based OData services or following API documentation standards
Quick Reference: https://help.sap.com/doc/abapdocu_cp_index_htm/CLOUD/en-US/abencds.html | SAP Cheat Sheets: https://github.com/SAP-samples/abap-cheat-sheets/blob/main/15_CDS_View_Entities.md
Version Compatibility
This skill covers CDS features from 7.40 SP8 through ABAP Cloud. Key version boundaries:
| Feature | 7.40 SP8 | 7.50 | 7.51 | 7.55+ |
|---|
CDS View (DEFINE VIEW) | x | x | x | x |
| CDS associations, parameters, built-in functions | x | x | x | x |
CDS Table Functions (DEFINE TABLE FUNCTION) | | x | x | x |
| CDS Access Control (DEFINE ROLE / pfcg_auth) | x | x | x | x |
| CDS Access Control (implicit evaluation) | | x | x | x |
Session variables ($session.user/client/system_language) | x | x | x | x |
@Environment.systemField annotation | | x | x | x |
UPPER/LOWER functions | | | x | x |
$session.system_date | | | x | x |
CDS Metadata Extensions (ANNOTATE VIEW) | | | x | x |
| Cross Join in CDS | | | x | x |
CDS View Entity (DEFINE VIEW ENTITY) | | | | x |
New cardinality syntax (to one/to many) | | | | 7.57+ |
On a 7.40 system: Use DEFINE VIEW (not DEFINE VIEW ENTITY). CDS table functions
are not available before 7.50. Basic DCL (DEFINE ROLE with pfcg_auth) is available
from 7.40 SP08, but implicit role evaluation in ABAP SQL requires 7.50+.
$session.user/client/system_language are available from 7.40 SP08.
The templates in templates/ include both classic CDS View and View Entity variants.
Table of Contents
1. CDS View Fundamentals
View Types
| Type | Syntax | Database View | Since |
|---|
| CDS View | DEFINE VIEW | Yes | 7.4 SP8 |
| CDS View Entity | DEFINE VIEW ENTITY | No | 7.55 |
Recommendation: Use CDS View Entities for new development.
Basic CDS View Syntax
@AbapCatalog.sqlViewName: 'ZCDS_EXAMPLE_V'
@AbapCatalog.compiler.CompareFilter: true
@AccessControl.authorizationCheck: #NOT_REQUIRED
@EndUserText.label: 'Example CDS View'
define view ZCDS_EXAMPLE
as select from db_table as t
{
key t.field1,
t.field2,
t.field3 as AliasName
}
CDS View Entity Syntax (7.55+)
@AccessControl.authorizationCheck: #NOT_REQUIRED
@EndUserText.label: 'Example View Entity'
define view entity Z_CDS_EXAMPLE
as select from db_table as t
{
key t.field1,
t.field2,
t.field3 as AliasName
}
Key Difference: View entities omit @AbapCatalog.sqlViewName - no SQL view generated.
Eclipse ADT Setup
- File → New → Other → Core Data Services → Data Definition
- Enter name, description, and package
- Select template (view, view entity, etc.)
2. Essential Annotations
Core Annotations
Essential annotations for CDS development:
@AbapCatalog.sqlViewName - SQL view name (max 16 chars)@AbapCatalog.compiler.CompareFilter - Optimize WHERE clauses@AccessControl.authorizationCheck - Set to #NOT_REQUIRED, #CHECK, #MANDATORY, or #NOT_ALLOWED@EndUserText.label - User-facing description@Metadata.allowExtensions - Allow view extensions
Complete Reference: See references/annotations-reference.md for 50+ annotations with examples.
Semantics Annotations (Currency/Quantity)
Required for CURR and QUAN data types to avoid error SD_CDS_ENTITY105:
@Semantics.currencyCode: true
waers,
@Semantics.amount.currencyCode: 'waers'
amount,
@Semantics.unitOfMeasure: true
meins,
@Semantics.quantity.unitOfMeasure: 'meins'
quantity
UI Annotations (Fiori Elements)
@UI.lineItem: [{ position: 10 }]
@UI.identification: [{ position: 10 }]
@UI.selectionField: [{ position: 10 }]
field1,
@UI.hidden: true
internal_field
Consumption Annotations (Value Help)
@Consumption.valueHelpDefinition: [{
entity: { name: 'I_Currency', element: 'Currency' }
}]
waers
For complete annotation reference, see references/annotations-reference.md.
3. Expressions and Operations
CASE Expressions
Simple CASE (single variable comparison):
case status
when 'A' then 'Active'
when 'I' then 'Inactive'
else 'Unknown'
end as StatusText
Searched CASE (multiple conditions):
case
when amount > 1000 then 'High'
when amount > 100 then 'Medium'
else 'Low'
end as AmountCategory
Comparison Operators
Standard operators: =, <>, <, >, <=, >=
Special operators: BETWEEN x AND y, LIKE, IS NULL, IS NOT NULL
Complete Reference: See references/expressions-reference.md for all operators and expressions.
Arithmetic Operations
quantity * price as TotalAmount,
amount / 100 as Percentage,
-amount as NegatedAmount
Session Variables
Available system variables (SY fields equivalent):
$session.user (SY-UNAME) - Current user [7.40 SP08+]$session.client (SY-MANDT) - Client [7.40 SP08+]$session.system_language (SY-LANGU) - Language [7.40 SP08+]$session.system_date (SY-DATUM) - Current date [7.51+]
Note: $session.user/client/system_language are available from 7.40 SP08.
$session.system_date requires 7.51+. @Environment.systemField requires 7.50+.
Complete Reference: See references/expressions-reference.md for all system variables.
$session.user as CurrentUser,
$session.system_date as Today
4. Built-in Functions
CDS provides comprehensive built-in functions for string, numeric, and date operations.
Key Function Categories
- String Functions: concat(), length(), substring(), upper(), lower(), replace()
- Numeric Functions: abs(), ceil(), floor(), round(), division()
- Date Functions: dats_add_days(), dats_add_months(), dats_days_between()
- CAST Expression: Convert between ABAP data types
Note: upper() and lower() in CDS require 7.51+. On 7.40/7.50, case
conversion must be performed in ABAP after selecting (there is no CDS equivalent).
Complete Reference: See references/functions-reference.md for all 50+ functions with examples.
Quick Examples
concat(first_name, last_name) as FullName,
upper(name) as UpperName,
substring(description, 1, 10) as ShortDesc
abs(amount) as AbsoluteAmount,
round(value, 2) as RoundedValue,
division(10, 3, 2) as PreciseDivision
dats_add_days(current_date, 7) as NextWeek,
dats_days_between(start_date, end_date) as Duration
cast(field as abap.char(10)) as TextField,
cast(amount as abap.curr(15,2)) as CurrencyField
**ABAP Types**: `abap.char()`, `abap.numc()`, `abap.int4`, `abap.dats`, `abap.tims`, `abap.curr()`, `abap.cuky`, `abap.quan()`, `abap.unit()`
## 5. Joins
### Join Types
```sql
inner join makt as t on m.matnr = t.matnr
left outer join marc as c on m.matnr = c.matnr
right outer join mvke as v on m.matnr = v.matnr
cross join t001 as co
6. Associations
Associations define relationships between entities (join-on-demand):
Defining Associations
define view Z_ASSOC_EXAMPLE as select from scarr as c
association [1..*] to spfli as _Flights
on $projection.carrid = _Flights.carrid
association [0..1] to sairport as _Airport
on $projection.hub = _Airport.id
{
key c.carrid,
c.carrname,
c.hub,
// Expose associations
_Flights,
_Airport
}
Cardinality Notation
Syntax mapping:
[0..1] or [1] → association to one (LEFT OUTER MANY TO ONE)[1..1] → association to one (exact match)[0..*] or [*] → association to many (LEFT OUTER MANY TO MANY)[1..*] → association to many (one or more)
Complete Reference: See references/associations-reference.md for detailed cardinality guide.
New Cardinality Syntax (Release 2302+)
association to one _Customer on ...
association to many _Items on ...
Using Associations
_Customer,
_Customer.name as CustomerName
Path Expressions with Filter
_Items[1: Status = 'A'].ItemNo
For complete association reference, see references/associations-reference.md.
7. Input Parameters
Defining Parameters
define view Z_PARAM_EXAMPLE
with parameters
p_date_from : dats,
p_date_to : dats,
@Environment.systemField: #SYSTEM_LANGUAGE
p_langu : spras
as select from vbak as v
{
key v.vbeln,
v.erdat,
v.erzet
}
where v.erdat between :p_date_from and :p_date_to
Parameter Reference
Use colon notation :p_date_from or $parameters.p_date_from
Calling from ABAP:
SELECT * FROM z_param_example(
p_date_from = '20240101',
p_date_to = '20241231',
p_langu = @sy-langu
) INTO TABLE @DATA(lt_result).
8. Aggregate Expressions
Aggregate Functions
define view Z_AGG_EXAMPLE as select from vbap as i
{
i.vbeln,
sum(i.netwr) as TotalAmount,
avg(i.netwr) as AvgAmount,
max(i.netwr) as MaxAmount,
min(i.netwr) as MinAmount,
count(*) as ItemCount
}
group by i.vbeln
having sum(i.netwr) > 1000
9. Access Control (DCL)
Basic DCL Structure
@MappingRole: true
define role Z_CDS_EXAMPLE_DCL {
grant select on Z_CDS_EXAMPLE
where (bukrs) = aspect pfcg_auth(F_BKPF_BUK, BUKRS, ACTVT = '03');
}
Authorization Check Options
Available values:
#NOT_REQUIRED - No authorization check#CHECK - Warning if no DCL exists#MANDATORY - Error if no DCL exists#NOT_ALLOWED - DCL ignored if exists
Complete Reference: See references/access-control-reference.md for detailed DCL patterns.
Condition Types
PFCG Authorization: where (field) = aspect pfcg_auth(AUTH_OBJECT, AUTH_FIELD, ACTVT = '03')
Literal Condition: where status <> 'DELETED'
User Aspect: where created_by ?= aspect user
Combined: where (bukrs) = aspect pfcg_auth(...) and status = 'ACTIVE'
For complete access control reference, see references/access-control-reference.md.
10. Data Retrieval from ABAP
Standard SELECT
SELECT * FROM zcds_example
WHERE field1 = @lv_value
INTO TABLE @DATA(lt_result).
SALV IDA (Integrated Data Access)
cl_salv_gui_table_ida=>create_for_cds_view(
CONV #( 'ZCDS_EXAMPLE' )
)->fullscreen( )->display( ).
11. Common Errors and Solutions
SD_CDS_ENTITY105: Missing Reference Information
Problem: CURR/QUAN fields without reference
Solution: Add semantics annotations
@Semantics.currencyCode: true
waers,
@Semantics.amount.currencyCode: 'waers'
netwr
Or import currency from related table:
inner join t001 as c on ...
{
c.waers,
@Semantics.amount.currencyCode: 'waers'
v.amount
}
Cardinality Warnings
Problem: Cardinality doesn't match actual data
Solution: Define cardinality matching data model
association [0..1] to ...
association [1..*] to ...
For complete troubleshooting guide, see references/troubleshooting.md.
12. Useful Transactions and Tables
Key Transactions
- SDDLAR - Display/repair DDL structures
- RSRTS_ODP_DIS - TransientProvider preview
- RSRTS_QUERY_CHECK - CDS query metadata validation
- SE63 - Translation (EndUserText)
- SE11 - ABAP Dictionary
- SU21 - Authorization objects
Important Tables
- DDHEADANNO - Header-level annotations
- CDSVIEWANNOPOS - CDS view header annotations
- CDS_FIELD_ANNOTATION - Field-level annotations
- ABDOC_CDS_ANNOS - SAP annotation definitions
API Class
CL_DD_DDL_ANNOTATION_SERVICE - Programmatic annotation access:
get_annos() - Get all annotationsget_label_4_element() - Get @EndUserText.label
Bundled Resources
Reference Documentation
For detailed guidance, see the reference files in references/:
annotations-reference.md - Complete annotation catalogfunctions-reference.md - All built-in functions with examplesassociations-reference.md - Associations and cardinality guideaccess-control-reference.md - DCL and authorization patternsexpressions-reference.md - Expressions and operatorstroubleshooting.md - Common errors and solutions
Templates
For templates, see templates/:
basic-view.md - Standard CDS view templateparameterized-view.md - View with input parametersdcl-template.md - Access control definition
Source Documentation
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Last Verified: 2026-04-02
