Scenario
The next step in our scenario is to replicate the generic DataSources, that were created for cost center attributes and texts. This will generate DataSources in SAP BW/4HANA based on the definition of the generic DataSources. Replication is started from SAP BW/4HANA using the context menu of an Application Component folder. This way you can limit the replication only to the DataSources you need (instead of replicating all DataSources from the source system).
Replicate DataSources in SAP BW/4HANA
To access DataSources from SAP S/4HANA, you must tell SAP BW/4HANA the name and fields that are provided by the DataSource. This process is called replication, or replicating the DataSource meta data. It is accomplished from the Context menu of the folder where the DataSource is located.
After replication, the DataSource appears in the Application Component folder, where it was created in the source system.
The next step is to activate the DataSource in SAP BW/4HANA. When the DataSource is activated in SAP BW/4HANA, the following happens:
The DataSource in SAP BW/4HANA can be used, for example in a Data Flow
The DataSource in SAP S/4HANA is activated, creating underlying DB objects, such as the extract structure in SAP S/4HANA
So, let's describe a DataSource in SAP BW/4HANA.
A DataSource is an SAP BW/4HANA object that is used to extract and stage data from source systems. A DataSource subdivides the data provided by a source system into self-contained business areas, so for a source system several DataSources can be defined.
From a technical perspective, a DataSource is a set of logically-related fields that are provided for access and transfer data into SAP BW∕4HANA in a flat structure (the extraction structure) or in multiple flat structures (for hierarchies). DataSources supply the meta data description of source data.