Create CDS view without Eclipse - detailed steps

Yes, you can create CDS views without Eclipse, but it requires a bit more technical expertise and involves using ABAP code. This approach is typically used for dynamic CDS view creation or when you need to generate CDS views programmatically.

Here are the detailed steps:

1. Access the ABAP Editor (SE80)

• Log in to your ABAP system.
• Open transaction SE80 (ABAP Editor).

2. Create an ABAP Class or Program

• In the ABAP Editor, create a new ABAP class or program where you'll write the code to generate the CDS view.

3. Utilize the CL_DD_DDL_HANDLER Class

• This class provides methods for creating and managing database objects, including CDS views.
• Use the CREATE method of CL_DD_DDL_HANDLER_FACTORY to get an instance of the handler.

4. Construct the CDS View Definition

• Create a string variable to hold the complete CDS view definition in the form of DDL (Data Definition Language) statement. This is the same code you would write in Eclipse ADT.

  DATA(lv_cds_definition) =     '|@AbapCatalog.sqlViewName: ''Z_MY_SALES_DATA''' && cl_abap_char_utilities=>newline &&    '|define view ZMySalesData as select from vbap { ' && cl_abap_char_utilities=>newline &&    '|  key vbeln, ' && cl_abap_char_utilities=>newline &&    '|  posnr, ' && cl_abap_char_utilities=>newline &&    '|  matnr, ' && cl_abap_char_utilities=>newline &&    '|  kwmeng ' && cl_abap_char_utilities=>newline &&    '|}'.  

5. Populate the DD02V_WA Structure

• This structure holds metadata about the CDS view.

  DATA: ls_dd02v_wa TYPE dd02v_wa.  ls_dd02v_wa-tabname = 'Z_MY_SALES_DATA'. " Technical name  ls_dd02v_wa-ddlanguage = sy-langu.   ls_dd02v_wa-as4local = 'A'. " For local development  ls_dd02v_wa-viewtype = 'D'. " CDS view type  

6. Call the SAVE and ACTIVATE Methods

• Call the SAVE method of CL_DD_DDL_HANDLER to save the CDS view definition.
• Call the ACTIVATE method to activate the view.

  DATA(lo_ddl_handler) = cl_dd_ddl_handler_factory=>create( ).     TRY.      lo_ddl_handler->save(        EXPORTING          name              = ls_dd02v_wa-tabname          put_state         = 'P' "  Active status          dd02v_wa          = ls_dd02v_wa          ddddlsrcv_wa-ddtext = lv_cds_definition          ddddlsrcv_wa-ddlanguage = sy-langu      ).        lo_ddl_handler->activate(         EXPORTING          name = ls_dd02v_wa-tabname       ).    CATCH cx_dd_ddl_save INTO DATA(lx_save).      " Handle the exception    CATCH cx_dd_ddl_activate INTO DATA(lx_activate).      " Handle the exception  ENDTRY.   

Example:

REPORT zcreate_cds_view.    DATA(lv_cds_definition) =     '|@AbapCatalog.sqlViewName: ''Z_MY_SALES_DATA''' && cl_abap_char_utilities=>newline &&    '|define view ZMySalesData as select from vbap { ' && cl_abap_char_utilities=>newline &&    '|  key vbeln, ' && cl_abap_char_utilities=>newline &&    '|  posnr, ' && cl_abap_char_utilities=>newline &&    '|  matnr, ' && cl_abap_char_utilities=>newline &&    '|  kwmeng ' && cl_abap_char_utilities=>newline &&    '|}'.    DATA: ls_dd02v_wa TYPE dd02v_wa.  ls_dd02v_wa-tabname = 'Z_MY_SALES_DATA'.  ls_dd02v_wa-ddlanguage = sy-langu.  ls_dd02v_wa-as4local = 'A'.  ls_dd02v_wa-viewtype = 'D'.    DATA(lo_ddl_handler) = cl_dd_ddl_handler_factory=>create( ).    TRY.      lo_ddl_handler->save(        EXPORTING          name              = ls_dd02v_wa-tabname          put_state         = 'P'           dd02v_wa          = ls_dd02v_wa          ddddlsrcv_wa-ddtext = lv_cds_definition          ddddlsrcv_wa-ddlanguage = sy-langu      ).        lo_ddl_handler->activate(         EXPORTING          name = ls_dd02v_wa-tabname      ).      WRITE: / 'CDS view created and activated successfully!'.    CATCH cx_dd_ddl_save INTO DATA(lx_save).      WRITE: / 'Error saving CDS view:', lx_save->get_text( ).    CATCH cx_dd_ddl_activate INTO DATA(lx_activate).      WRITE: / 'Error activating CDS view:', lx_activate->get_text( ).  ENDTRY.  

Important Notes:

• Error Handling: Implement robust error handling to catch potential exceptions during the process.
• Authorization: Ensure you have the necessary authorizations to create and activate database objects in the ABAP system.
• Best Practices: Follow ABAP development best practices for code readability and maintainability.
• Dynamic CDS Views: This approach is particularly useful for creating CDS views dynamically based on certain conditions or parameters.

While this method provides flexibility, it's generally recommended to use Eclipse with ADT for CDS view development due to its user-friendly interface, code completion, and debugging capabilities. However, understanding this code-based approach can be valuable for advanced scenarios and automation.