Analyzing Interface Objects in the ESR: Data Types

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to display data types

Data Types

Data types are the basic components of interfaces and define simple or complex XML data structures that you create or import in a data type editor.

With SAP Process Integration (PI), you determine the structure of data types based on their classification.

The various data types are as follows:

  • Freely modeled data types.

  • Core Data Types (CDTs).

  • Aggregated data types.

SAP uses CDTs and aggregated data types to create the signature of enterprise services.

The modeling of CDTs and aggregated data types is based on the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) Core Component Technical Specification (CCTS) (see also ISO 15000-5). The methodology formulated by the UN/CEFACT committee defines semantic modules (core component types) independently of syntax, which take account of the current requirements for the generic description of business data. The implementation of this methodology facilitates the realization of cross-company processes. In SAP, a CDT defines a primary component (also referred to as a content component) and one or more optional supplementary components.

The character of a CDT is defined using a representation term (for example, Amount). Unlike freely modeled data types, CDTs also contain additional information about the semantics of data types. SAP currently identifies 25 representation terms for CDT (for example, Amount, Text, Identifier, Date, Time, Name, and Description).

Caution

The representation term of a CDT defines semantics for a more accurate characterization of the data type, but does not yet define business-relevant semantics with a specific reference to business processes. For example, the characterization of a data type with the Amount representation term indicates that the value of this type must also be specified more precisely with a currency. This type of mandatory characterization does not apply to free modeling of this category of data type as an XML Schema Definition (XSD) type (for example, xsd:decimal).

Global Data Type (GDT)

The business semantics are contained in the SAP GDT. GDTs are based on CDTs, and are used across SAP as a basis for application-specific data types. However, in contrast to the former categories of data type, GDTs are not intended for a specific usage. A GDT is designed to be reused later in many different application scenarios. GDTs are therefore rather broad and need to be refined when they are used in a specific application. CDTs are not application-specific and are therefore also described as context-free.

SAP creates a GDT as a CDT or aggregated data type in the Enterprise Services Repository (ESR). This creation depends on whether the GDT merely enhances a CDT with business semantics or whether CDTs (and any aggregated data types that may already exist) are used in a new, aggregated data type.

Create Data Types

Business Scenario

You want to create source and target data types.

Exercise Information

Note

In this exercise, when the values include ##, replace the character with a two-digit number (01–30).

Exercise Options

You can perform this exercise in two ways:

  1. Live Environment: choose Start Exercise, and from the entry page choose Open PDF Document. Follow the steps described in this pdf in your own system landscape.
  2. Simulation: choose Start Exercise, and from the entry page choose Start Tutorial. Watch the step-by-step instructions within the simulation.

Note

We recommend running the simulation first.

Create Data Types - Part 1

ExerciseStart Exercise

Create Data Types - Part 2

ExerciseStart Exercise

Task 1: Create Source Data Types

Steps

  1. Open NWDS 7.5 and open Enterprise Service Repository Perspective. Log on with your user ID and password if required.

    1. Navigate to Window → Perspective → Open Perspective → Other.

    2. Select the Enterprise Services Repository perspective.

    3. If required, log on with your BIT500-## credentials.

  2. Create the source data types based on the data in the table. The data type should be a complex data type where the description is created as an included data type.

    Use the following data:

    FieldValue
    Software Component VersionSC_BIT500_##_A of education.com
    Namespacehttp://education.sap.com/sca##
    TypeFree-Style Data Type
    Data Type 1 NameDT_MaterialDescription
    Data Type 2 NameDT_Material

    The result should look like this:

    1. Navigate to SC_BIT500_##_A of education.com → SC_BIT500_##_A of education.com and select your namespace, http://education.sap.com/sca##.

    2. Right-click http://education.sap.com/sca##.

    3. Choose New → Data Type.

      Note

      If the system displays an error message, simply press OK. If you choose Details, more information displays. This is a well known NWDS error, which can occur randomly.

    4. In the Create Data Type window enter the Data Type 1 Name and Type from the table.

    5. Choose Finish and select your change list, or create a new one, if required.

    6. Add 2 elements under DT_MaterialDescription.

    7. As the Name of the first element enter Language and Description for the second.

    8. To assign a Type choose the Browse button and select string | http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema. Assign this type for both elements, you have created.

    9. For both elements set Min Occurs and Max Occurs to 1.

    10. Save your changes.

    11. Create a second data type called DT_Material in the same software component and namespace.

    12. Use the Add Rows button to add 6 elements under DT_Material.

    13. The name of the elements should be: MaterialID, IndustrySector, BaseUnit, MaterialGroup, MaterialType and Description.

    14. For the first five elements (MaterialID, IndustrySector, BaseUnit, MaterialGroup, MaterialType), in the Type field, choose string | http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema.

    15. For the Description, in the Type field, choose DT_MaterialDescription.

    16. Choose OK.

    17. Save your changes.

Task 2: Create Target Data Type

Steps

  1. In the Enterprise Service Repository Perspective create the target data types based on the data in the table. The data type should be a complex data type where the description is created as an included data type.

    Use the following data:

    FieldValue
    Software Component VersionSC_BIT500_##_B 1.0 of education.com
    Namespacehttp://education.sap.com/scb##
    TypeFree-Style Data Type
    Data Type NameDT_MessageMaterials_B

    The result should look like this:

    1. Navigate to SC_BIT500_##_B of education.com → SC_BIT500_##_B of education.com.

    2. Select your namespace, http://education.sap.com/scb##.

    3. Right-click http://education.sap.com/scb##.

    4. Choose New → Data Type.

      Note

      If the system displays an error message, simply press OK. If you choose Details, more information displays. This is a well known NWDS error, which can occur randomly.

    5. In the Create Data Type window enter the Data Type Name and Type from the table.

    6. Select your Change List.

    7. Add 2 elements under DT_MessageMaterials_B.

    8. Enter Material as the name of the first element and Description for the second.

    9. For both elements set Min Occurs to 0 and Max Occurs to *.

    10. Save your changes.

    11. Select the Material element, choose the button Add Rows and add 6 lines of the type Elements.

    12. The name of the elements should be: MaterialID, IndustrySector, BaseUnit, MaterialGroup, MaterialType and Date.

    13. For the first five elements (MaterialID, IndustrySector, BaseUnit, MaterialGroup, MaterialType), in the Type field, choose string | http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema.

    14. For the Date element, in the Type field, choose date | http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema.

    15. For all 6 elements set Min Occurs and Max Occurs to 1.

    16. Save your changes.

    17. Select the Description element and add three elements.

    18. The Names of the elements should be: MaterialID, Language and Description.

    19. For all three elements, in the Type field, choose string | http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema.

    20. For all three elements set Min Occurs and Max Occurs to 1.

    21. Save your changes.

  2. Activate all of your objects.

    1. Go to the My Change Lists tab.

    2. Expand Change Lists of bit500-## user → Pending Change Lists.

    3. Expand each Software Component List.

    4. Right-click each of the standard change lists and choose Activate.

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