ARTICLE
Differences between Unicode and Non-Unicode Programs
The ABAP key word documentation describes the ABAP statements for both
Unicode and non-Unicode systems. Only
Unicode programs can be compiled and executed in Unicode systems. In
non-Unicode systems, this is also possible for
non-Unicode programs . However,
Unicode programs should also be used in non-Unicode systems, for the
following reasons:
Static type checks are executed in Unicode programs.
Byte processing and string processing is separated in Unicode programs.
Structures are always handled as structures in Unicode programs.
Uncontrolled access to segments of the working memory is not possible in
Unicode programs.
This makes Unicode programs easier to understand, more robust, and
easier to maintain than non-Unicode programs.
The following section lists the language constructs and statements for
which there are differences between Unicode and non-Unicode programs:
Comments and Literals in Non-Unicode Programs
Names in Unicode Programs
Program Structure of Unicode Programs
Operand Types in Unicode Programs
Alignment in Unicode Systems
Offset and Length Specifications in
Unicode Programs
Access to Memory Sequences in Unicode
Programs
Conversion of Structures in Unicode
Programs
Structure Typing in Unicode Programs
Structure Enhancements and Unicode Programs
String and Byte String Processing in
Unicode Programs
Function Module Calls in Unicode Programs
Open SQL in Unicode Programs
File Interface in Unicode Programs
Lists in Unicode Systems
Documentation extract taken from SAP system, � Copyright SAP AG. All rights reserved