Disadvantage of using ABAP DataFlow

dataservices job design
1

Dear All,

Is there any disadvantage or limitation of using ABAP DataFlow.

Is there any scenerio where using ABAP DataFlow will be disadvantageous over using simple straightforward approach of data loading (i.e. without using ABAP DataFlow).

Can I blindly use ABAP DataFlow for all the cases??

Thanks

avbaby :india: (BOB member since 2009-05-09)

2

Hi Avbaby,

The data from Pool type SAP tables can not be accesed directly it need to have a ABAP transport in between to access the data, hence it take more execution time.

also when the tables are having huge data and columns, I think ABAP dataflow should be used when it is really needed not always.

in better words :
In an ABAP data flow, a source can be another ABAP data flow, an SAP application table, or a file located on the SAP application server. Files must be in a file format that SAP can read. Data Services provides a predefined flat file format, called Transport_Format, which SAP can read.
You can select an SAP application table as a source in any data flow. However, when you use an SAP application table as a data flow source, Data Services extracts data using the Data Services-provided RFC (remote function call) Z_AW_RFC_READ_TABLE. The function call extracts up to 2048 bytes per row. If this function is not loaded to the SAP application server, Data Services extracts data using the SAP-supplied function, RFC_READ_TABLE. This function call limits extracted data to 512 bytes per row.
When you use an SAP application table as a source in an ABAP data flow, Data Services extracts data using ABAP. For large amounts of data (larger than a few rows), performance is generally better when you extract data from SAP using an ABAP data flow

BOBJFan (BOB member since 2011-09-24)

3

For me source is ERP system.

avbaby :india: (BOB member since 2009-05-09)

4

R/3 Dataflow is meant for SAP System sources…

ganeshxp :us: (BOB member since 2008-07-17)

5

The only time I think it makes sense not using ABAP dataflow is when you want to join non SAP tables with SAP tables. As rashmig pointed out, you have to use ABAP dataflow in certain cases.

vshah :us: (BOB member since 2007-12-10)

6

If you only need to read a single table and the number of rows is not huge, like less than 250000 or so, and you only need a few columns then there is no problem with using a normal dataflow, that’s why the functionality exists, but be aware that you are restricted to a record size of 512Kb, that’s why I say only if you need a few columns.

But as soon as you need many columns or you need to join 2 or more SAP tables then you need to use an ABAP dataflow, since join operations are not pushed down to SAP when using a normal dataflow, so performance will be very poor. The main disadvantage of ABAP dataflows in my opinion is having to worry about transporting ABAP code into Production, initially and every time there is a change.

ClintL :south_africa: (BOB member since 2011-01-06)

7

thanx ClintL for this wonderful explaination.

avbaby :india: (BOB member since 2009-05-09)

8

Hi Clintl,

When I join 2 SAP talbes inside the ABAP dataflow, am getting wrong result. So I created 2 ABAP dataflow for 2 tales and then I joined the tables outside the ABAP dataflow. I wonder if this is also an disadvantages of ABAP dataflow.

Also In ABAP Dataflow I couldn’t use some of the inbuilt functions. If possible can you provide me all th disadvantages of ABAP DF or any pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks.

satesh01 (BOB member since 2013-06-07)

9

Other disadvantages of ABAP dataflows:

concurrency: you need to take care with transfer filenames and/or directories if there is a chance that more than one instance of your flow may be active at a time.

binary data: if the extracted transfer file contains an end-of-file character (CTRL-Z) watch your data disappear, with no error flagged!

dastocks (BOB member since 2006-12-11)

10

If a standard BW extractor exists for the data that you require and it has been exposed for external use, then I would definitely prefer using the extractor over any ABAP dataflow. That will also allow Data Services to register itself to use the delta functionality (provided it is an ODP extractor) which means that you don’t have to worry about any CDC - SAP ERP will take care of that for you.

ErikR :new_zealand: (BOB member since 2007-01-10)