SAP SET REFERENCES documentation, setup help and example usage

ARTICLE

Setting Reference Variables
Special rules apply when setting the reference or pointer of a reference variable:

Assignment Rules for Reference Variables

A reference is always set as an up cast or as a down cast . When a reference variable is assigned to another reference variable, two different assignment operators are used plus a constructor operator.

= , ?= - up cast and down cast

CAST - Casting Operator

As well as using assignments, references can point data reference variables to existing data objects. Here, a statement and a constructor operator are used.

GET REFERENCE

REF - Reference Operator

Like all data objects, reference variables are initialized using the statement CLEAR . When a reference variable containing a heap reference is initialized, this affects Garbage Collector .

Note
The same rules apply to references set when
objects are created as to assignments.