Structure of Data Objects

The structure of a data object can be an

• elementary field, a

• structure, or an

• internal table.

Structures and internal tables are complex data obejcts. Since it is possible to combine structures and internal tables in any way, we can can also make a general distinction between different types of structures, internal tables, and data structures.

A structure can be:

• A simple structure (as opposed to complex structures). A simple structure is a structure with elementary components.

• A nested structure. A nested structure is a structure containing one or more further structures.

• A deep structure. Deep structures are structures that contain an internal table as a component, either directly or indirectly).

An internal table can be:

• A simple internal table (as opposed to complex internal tables). A simple internal table has a simple structure.

• A dynamic array of elemntary types. This is a table with a non-structured line type.

• A table with a deep line tpye. This is an internal table whose line type contains one or more internal tables. Tables containing tables and tables with a deep structure are both examples of tables with a deep line type.

Data structures (that is, structures and internal tables), can be distinguished as follows:

• Simple data structures (unlike complex data structures). These are simple structures or simple internal tables.

• Deep data structures. These are deep structures or internal tables.