cl_abap_typedescr=>describe_by_name not returning correct length value

[former_member498250]

Hi,

I am using cl_abap_typedescr=>describe_by_name to get the length and field names of a table. But it is returning incorrect values for length. For example, all character fields and numc fields contain double the correct length

REPORT  ZCA_BOB_CL_ABAP_STRUCTDESCR.

PARAMETERS P_TABNAM type TABNAME OBLIGATORY.

Data: wa_spfli type spfli,
      r_descr type REF TO cl_abap_structdescr,
      wa_comp TYPE abap_compdescr.


** Create references to the needed ALV Global Classes
  data: lr_events type ref to cl_salv_events_table.
  data: gr_table   type ref to cl_salv_table.
  Data: r_grid TYPE REF TO cl_salv_table.
  data: r_title_text TYPE REF TO cl_alv_variant,
        r_grid_title TYPE LVC_TITLE.

Data:  abap_compdescr_tab TYPE STANDARD TABLE OF abap_compdescr
                     WITH KEY name.


START-OF-SELECTION.

**         ?=   means cast
** r_descr ?= cl_abap_typedescr=>describe_by_data( wa_spfli ).
 r_descr ?= cl_abap_typedescr=>describe_by_name( P_TABNAM ).

 Loop at r_descr->components into wa_comp.

*   write:/ wa_comp-name, wa_comp-type_kind, wa_comp-length,
*            wa_comp-decimals.

   append wa_comp to abap_compdescr_tab.

 EndLoop.

[uwe_schieferstein]

Hello Bob

Below is the output of your report run on a 4.6c system:

Structure WA_SPFLI:                                    
MANDT                          C          3           0
CARRID                         C          3           0
CONNID                         N          4           0
COUNTRYFR                      C          3           0
CITYFROM                       C         20           0
AIRPFROM                       C          3           0
COUNTRYTO                      C          3           0
CITYTO                         C         20           0
AIRPTO                         C          3           0
FLTIME                         I          4           0
DEPTIME                        T          6           0
ARRTIME                        T          6           0
DISTANCE                       P          5           4
DISTID                         C          3           0
FLTYPE                         C          1           0
PERIOD                         b          1           0

4.6c = non-Unicode

Your system = Unicode

Thus, the length is apprently the length in bytes.

Simply check and RFC destination (SM59) using button "Unicode Test". You will get the following message on an Unicode system:

Target is a unicode system (character size 2)

Regards

Uwe

[former_member498250]

Yes, we are on a unicode system. Hard to understand why this would act different on a unicode vs. non-unicode system. I tried testing it thru SE24 and the it has the problem there as well. Any suggestions?

[SuhaSaha]

Hello Bob,

I remember a couple of forum discussions on the same problem. The length value returned by SAP is in bytes & not in characters.

Unfortunately i am not able to locate them I remember Sandra Rossi being involved in the thread!

BR,

Suhas