Preface – This post is part of the Differences in ABAP for Interviews series.
Before discussing the differences between SELECT-OPTIONS and PARAMETERS, let’s have a quick introduction of the two.
Table of Contents
Introduction
SELECT-OPTIONS and PARAMETERS are components of the selection screen. SELECT-OPTIONS are assigned a selection table in the ABAP program as well as two input fields along with a push button for multiple selection. Parameters are assigned a global elementary data object in the ABAP program as well as an input field. The name of the SELECT-OPTIONS and PARAMETERS is limited to a maximum of 8 characters whereas the length of the input field is restricted to a maximum of 255 characters.
SELECT-OPTIONS and PARAMETERS statements are allowed in the global declaration part of executable programs, function groups, and module pools. In function groups and module pools, these statements are only allowed within the definition of a standalone selection screen. In executable programs, these statements are automatically assigned to the standard selection screen.
Now, let’s have a look at their difference.
Difference between SELECT-OPTIONS and PARAMETERS in SAP ABAP
| SELECT-OPTIONS | PARAMETERS |
| It stores value in an Internal table with a predefined structure. | It stores value in a variable. |
| It can accept multiple single values, multiple ranges, exclusion of values and ranges. | It accepts only a single value. |
| It creates a Selection table having 4 columns SIGN, OPTION, LOW and HIGH. | It does not create a selection table |
| If left blank, then all the data is selected from the database. | If left blank, then no data is selected from the database. |
| For value checking, IN operator is used in WHERE condition. | For value checking, operators like =, >, <, <> are used in WHERE condition. |
| Value check cannot be forced through Foreign key or domain values. | Value check can be forced through Foreign key or domain values. |
| Radio buttons or checkbox cannot be created using it. | Radio buttons and checkbox can be created using it. |
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