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Determination Applications
Softproviding Core
User Documentation

Version: 1.00
Release v6.00
2024/02 Public
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Softproviding AG
Dornacherstr. 210
CH-4053 Basel
Switzerland
+41 (0)61 508 21 21
[email protected]
www.softproviding.com

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Contents

1 Overview 4

2 Customizing 6
2.1 Z Namespace for Generated Objects 6
2.2 Maintain Fields 7
2.3 Maintain Field Groups 8
2.4 Determination Groups 11
2.5 Determination Applications 12

3 Application 16
3.1 Authorizations for Determination Applications 16
3.2 Maintain Determination Data Records 17
3.3 Display Determination Records 19
3.4 User Settings 20
3.5 Execute Determination Application 21
3.6 Evaluate Determination Trace 23
3.7 Enhancements for Determination Applications 24

4 Technology Comparison: Object Determination vs. Determination Application 27

4.1 Assignment of the Corresponding Object Determination Elements 27
4.2 Comparison of Elements 27
4.3 Conclusion 28

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1 Overview

The Determination Application functionality allows you to manage customer-specific master data in
dependence of a time interval and different search accesses.

In dependence of the time interval means that each master data record (determination data record) is
supplemented with a time interval for which the former is exclusively valid. If someone tries to access
the determination record with a date lying outside the defined time interval, no result will be output.

In dependence of different search accesses means that within the scope of a determination procedure
the different accesses (field groups) are represented in a sort order. One access (field group) consists
of at least one key (field), e.g. the plant. The field group is used to search for the first valid determina-
tion data record in the determination procedure. The field group sequence of the determination pro-
cedure is searched in a sequentially descending order for a valid determination data record. Since the
field groups are sequentially searched from the top down, the field group with the most search criteria
(fields) must be situated at the topmost position of the determination procedure sequence. The access
(field group) with the least search criteria must stand at the bottommost position in the determina-
tion procedure sequence.

Example
The terms used above are explained using the example of printer management.

Schematic Structure of the Determination Application

Determination Data Records

Plant Warehouse Terminal ID To Date From Date Printer ID
0001 0001 TERM01 31.12.9999 10.10.2020 LABELPRT01
0001 0001 TERM02 11.10.2020 10.10.2020 LABELPRT01
0001 0002 TERM03 31.12.9999 10.10.2020 LABELPRT02

Plant Warehouse To Date From Date Printer ID

0001 0001 31.12.9999 10.10.2020 LABELPRT03
0001 0002 11.10.2020 10.10.2020 LABELPRT03

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Plant To Date From Date Printer ID

0001 31.12.9999 10.10.2020 LABELPRT04

Fiori-Apps – Instructions
SAP Fiori is the design concept for user interfaces within SAP applications. With this approach, Fiori
apps can be simplified and personalized, and made available in the Launchpad based on user roles.

SAP Fiori were created for the various applications of Softproviding Core and can be executed in the
Fiori Launchpad. Please compare the following documents for the prerequisites and the procedure re-
garding the configuration of SAP Fiori apps:
— Softproviding Core Security-Guide

The Security Guide documents for which Softproviding Core Applications SAP Fiori apps were created
and which roles are required for this.

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2 Customizing

2.1 Z Namespace for Generated Objects

Overview
In order to be able to store customer-specific information, it is necessary that SAP objects (tables,
structures and programs are automatically generated in the background during the customizing steps.

Prerequisites
The SAP username of the person performing the customizing must have a valid SAP developer key.

Procedure
An application determination may only be created if the following settings in Customizing have been
made:

SAP Menu Tools > Customizing > IMG > Edit Project
Transaction SPRO

1. Call Customizing using one of the above options and select Display SAP Reference IMG.

IMG Menu Softproviding Core > Baseline > Determination > Determination Ap-
plication > Determination Application > Set Z-Namespace for Gener-
ated Objects

2. Call the Z namespace customizing table and enter a Z namespace prefix and an SAP package.

Note – Package
Related objects in the ABAP Workbench are grouped together in a package. The assignment of an object
to a package is entered in the object catalog (TADIR). The package determines the transport layer that
defines the transport attributes of an object.

For a detailed description of the object package please refer to the respective SAP standard documenta-
tion.

Caution
SAP package must be initial. This package must not have any assigned objects. If this is not the case
the package will not be accepted, and the table entry cannot be saved.

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Example
FldNZNSpce ZNamespace Package
FIELDNAME – Field name for Z namespace ZFIND_ Z_Test

3. Select the Save button to save your entries.

Result
With the settings that were made you are able to create all necessary SAP objects of the application
determination.

2.2 Maintain Fields

Overview
The search key components for the accesses and the contents data fields of the determination data
records are defined by means of fields.

Prerequisites
A Z namespace must have been created.

Procedure
IMG Menu Softproviding Core > Baseline > Determination > Determination Ap-
plication > Fields > Maintain Fields

1. Call the above-mentioned customizing table in order to maintain the fields.

2. Select the New Entries button.

The following fields and indicators are available for each new object Field. Fill all the fields with
values:

Fields and Indicators for Object Field

Field Name Description
Fld name Field name of the table in which the data records of the determi-
nation application are stored.
Description Description of object Field. (When the data is maintained, the de-
scription of the reference field’s data element is drawn.)
Reference table Table name of the referenced DDIC field
Ref field Field name of the referenced DDIC field

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Note – Reference Table

An SAP-, Softproviding- or a customer-specific table or structure may be used as reference table. Experi-
ence has shown that it is recommended to create a customer-specific structure which contains all table
fields of the application determinations to be created. ZDGS_S_FINDUNG has established itself as struc-
ture name.

Note – Reference Field

The properties of the reference field like, for instance, a check table or search help will later be copied to
the determination tables.

3. Select the Save button to save your entries.

Example
Field Name Description Reference Table Reference Field
WERKS Plant ZDGS_S_FINDUNG WERKS
LAGER Warehouse ZDGS_S_FINDUNG LAGER
TERMINAL Terminal ID ZDGS_S_FINDUNG TERMINAL_ID
DRUCKER Printer ZDGS_S_FINDUNG DRUCKER_ID

Result
With the settings that were made it is now possible to create the necessary objects, Field groups, for
the search keys and data fields of the determination data records.

2.3 Maintain Field Groups

Overview
Field groups are used to define the search keys of the accesses and determination data records.

Prerequisites
The fields of the field groups to be created must exist.

Procedure
IMG Menu Softproviding Core > Baseline > Determination > Determination Ap-
plication > Fields > Maintain Field Groups

1. Select Field Groups for Determination Applications in the explorer to the left of the screen.

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2. Fill all the fields with values.

The following fields are available for each new Field Group object:

Fields for Object Field Groups

Field Name Description
Field group A field group features at least one field.

A field group containing the search key of an access should fea-

ture the following components:
— Abbreviation for the determination application (3-digit)
— Character “I” (1-digit), indicating that this is a field group
with search fields.
— Sequence position (3-digit) to indicate the position the field
group has within the determination procedure.

Example
PRT_I_010
— PRT = Abbreviation for the printer determination
— I = Field group with search fields
— 010 = Field group situated at the topmost position in the de-
termination procedure

A field group containing data fields should feature the following

components:
— Abbreviation for the determination application (3-digit)
— Character “O” (1-digit), indicating that this is a field group
with data fields.

Example
PRT_O
— PRT = Abbreviation for the printer determination
— O = Field group with data fields
Description Description of object Field Group, which is showed during data
maintenance.

If this is an access key it is recommended to separate the field

names with a slash (/).

If these are data fields it is recommended to specify the names

“Data”.

3. Select the Save button to save your entries.

4. In the menu tree, select Assignment: Field to Field Group.

5. Select the New entries button.

The following fields are available for each new Field Group object. Fill all the fields with values:

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Fields and Indicators for Object Field Groups

Field Name Description
Field name Field name of the table in which the data records of the determi-
nation application are stored.
Sequence Sequence of the fields as it is displayed when a determination ap-
plication is maintained.
Descending Descending sort order for the fields
Mandatory If this indicator is set, this field must be filled when the determi-
nation records are maintained.

6. Select the Save button to save your entries.

Example 1: Field Groups for Search Key

Field Groups for Determination Applications
Field Group Description
PRT_I_010 Printer/warehouse/terminal
PRT_I_020 Printer/warehouse
PRT_I_030 Printer

Assignment: Field to Field Group

Field Name Sequence Descending Mandatory
LAGER 20  
TERMINAL 30  
WERKS 10  

Assignment: Field to Field Group

Field Name Sequence Descending Mandatory
LAGER 20  
WERKS 10  

Assignment: Field to Field Group

Field Name Sequence Descending Mandatory
WERKS 10  

Example 2: Field Groups for Data

Field Groups for Determination Applications
Field Group Description
PRT_O Data

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Assignment: Field to Field Group

Field Name Sequence Descending Mandatory
DRUCKER_ID 10  

Result
With the settings that were made it is now possible to create object Determination Application.

2.4 Determination Groups

Overview
The determination groups allow you to group or organize determinations by topic. However, these
groups are of informative nature (e.g. in the search help) and do have no further effect.

Prerequisites
None.

Procedure
IMG Menu Softproviding Core > Baseline > Determination > Determination Ap-
plications > Determination Applications > Determination Groups

1. In the menu tree, select the Determination Groups menu item.

2. Select the New entries button

3. Fill the fields with values

The following fields are available for input per new Field Group object:

Fields for the Field Group Object

Field Name Description
Determination Group Name of the determination group
Description Description of the Determination Group object. It is language-spe-
cific and may be translated via the menu item Goto > Translation

Example
Determination Groups
Determination Group Description

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PRINT Printer determinations

MAT Material-specific determinations
TECH Technical determinations

Result
The determination groups have been created and may now be assigned to determinations.

2.5 Determination Applications

Overview
The field groups defined in the previous step may now be used to create the determination applica-
tion.

Prerequisites
The fields groups for the search keys are defined.

Procedure
IMG-Menu Softproviding Core > Baseline > Determination > Determination Ap-
plications > Determination Applications > Determination Applica-
tions

1. Call the customizing table for the maintenance of the determination application.

2. Select the New entries button.

The following fields and indicators are available for each new Determination Application object.
Only fill the fields Appl, Inactive and Description with values:

Fields for Object Determination Application

Field Name Description
Appl. Technical name of the determination application. A determina-
tion application may have one or multiple steps (sequences). Usu-
ally, a determination application at each step has entry fields
which are searched for and output fields which are the result of
the determination.

Use
The use of determination applications is intended for developers.

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Field Name Description

The main function module for determination applications is
/SPDGS/FIND_VALUES.
Do have a look at example /SPDGS/FIND_VALUES_EXAMPLE.
Description Description of object Determination Application which is displayed
during data record maintenance. It is language-dependent and, if
necessary, may be translated via menu item Goto > Translation.
Inactive If this indicator is set, the objects for this determination applica-
tion (or sequence) are not generated and maintenance is not al-
lowed.
Determination Group Determination group to which the determination is assigned. It is
of mere informational character.
Description Description of the determination group (language-dependent, dis-
play only.
Gen.Struct. This flag indicates whether a main structure is to be generated. If
it is set, a main structure is generated, and its name is only dis-
played when Customizing is accessed again. The main structure
contains all fields of the determination (i.e. from all levels) and
may be used as input and output structure of the determination.
Generated structure The name of the generated main structure for a determination ap-
plication.

Caution
The Gen.Struct. indicator can only be used after the determination procedure of the determination ap-
plication was maintained. If no determination procedure was created, an error message might be is-
sued when the structure is created. The structure which is created is empty.

3. Select the Save button to save your entries.

4. In customizing table Determination Application, mark the determination application you created
and select the Determination Procedure menu tree item.

5. Select the New entries button.

6. Fill all relevant fields with values.

The following fields and indicators are available for each new Determination Procedure step:

Fields for Object Determination Procedure

Field Name Description
Sequence The sequence of the steps. The sequence of the steps actually
forms an inverted hierarchy of a determination application. In
case of a determination, the values are searched for in this se-
quence.
Description Description for an object Determination Application which may be
displayed for maintenance. It is language-dependent and, if nec-
essary, may be translated via menu item Goto > Translation.

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Entry fields A field group with entry fields, which are searched for during de-
termination.
Output fields A field group with output fields which represent the result of the
determination.
Generated table The name of the generated table for a step (sequence) of a deter-
mination application.
Inactive If this indicator is set, the objects for this determination applica-
tion (or sequence) are not generated and maintenance is not al-
lowed.
Customizing sequence This flag controls whether the level is to be considered as Custom-
izing. If the level is flagged as Customizing, a transport request is
required for maintenance. The changed data are included in the
transport request and transferred to the downstream system.
Data class Optional field to influence the technical property Data Class of the
generated table.
Size category Optional field to influence the technical property Size Category of
the generated table.
Buffering allowed Optional field to influence the technical property Buffering Al-
lowed of the generated table.
Buffering type Optional field to influence the technical property Buffering Type of
the generated table.
NoKeyFields Optional field to influence the technical property Number of Key
Fields of the generated table.
Log Optional flag to influence the technical property Log Data Changes
of the generated table.
JavaOnly Optional flag to influence the technical property Write Access
Only with Java of the generated table.
Store type Optional field to influence the technical property Store Type of the
generated table.

Note
The optional fields and indicators used to influence the technical properties are partly interdependent and,
if to filled, must be sufficiently consistent. If the settings are not consistent, the table cannot be generated
correctly, meaning it cannot be activated, and an error message is displayed when the user tries to save
the data.

7. Select the Save button to save your entries.

Example
Determination Procedure
Sequence Description Entry Fields Output Fields Generated Table Inactive
10 Plant/warehouse/ter- PRT_I_010 PRT_O ZFIND_PRT010 
minal
20 Plant/warehouse/ PRT_I_020 PRT_O ZFIND_PRT020 

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Sequence Description Entry Fields Output Fields Generated Table Inactive

30 Plant PRT_I_030 PRT_O ZFIND_PRT030 

Note
The generated table per step of the determination procedure is only displayed after the user again accesses
IMG activity Determination Applications.

Result
All the necessary determination application objects were created, and the data records of the deter-
mination application may now be maintained.

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3 Application

3.1 Authorizations for Determination Applications

Overview
Authorization object /SPDGS/FD can be used to restrict activities of users for determination applica-
tions.

Note
For more information on the SAP authorization concept, please refer to the Softproviding Core Security
Guide.

Prerequisites
None.

Procedure
This is the authorization object /SPDGS/FD in which generally or specifically activities may be re-
leased per determination application.

The following authorization fields are available in authorization object /SPDGS/FD:

Fields for Authorization Object /SPDGS/FD

Authorization Field Description
/SPDGS/FDA Determination application
ACTVT Activity

The following activities are available:

Activities of Authorization Object /SPDGS/FD

Activity Description
01 – Add or create Adding determination data records
02 – Change Changing determination data records
03 – Display Displaying determination data records
06 – Delete Deleting determination data records
16 – Execute Executing determination data records

Result
The activities of determination applications can be restricted specifically.

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3.2 Maintain Determination Data Records

Overview
The determination application created previously may now be used to create determination data rec-
ords. The determination data records represent the possible results which may be found using the
search fields.

Prerequisites
A determination application was created in Customizing.

Procedure
IMG Menu Softproviding Core > Baseline > Determination Applications > Main-
tain Determination Data Records
Transaction /SPDGS/FIND_M_TABLES

1. Start the Maintain Determination Data Records transaction via one of the options listed above.
The Maintain Determination Records entry screen is displayed.

2. If not already preset In the Application field, enter the desired determination, or select it using
the search help.

3. If not already preset, In the Sequence field, enter the desired sequence step of the determination
application or select it using the search help.

4. Select the Execute button. The selection screen of the sequence step is displayed

The fields of field group Entry Fields which in the determination will be searched for are dis-
played as selection parameters. The additional selection parameter Valid On specifies for which
date the search result shall be valid.

Note
When a determination data record is initially created, the selection parameters need not be restricted. Re-
stricting parameters makes sense as soon as there are existing determination data records.

Example
Selection Screen for Sequence step
Plant 0001
Storage Location 0001
Terminal ID TERM01
Valid On 13.10.2020

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5. Select the Execute button. The screen where the determination data records are maintains is dis-
played. It features fields of field group Entry Fields and Output Fields with the added fields Valid
From and Valid To.

6. Select the Append Row or Insert Row button to create a new or a further determination data rec-
ord and enter the respective field values.

The Delete Row button allows you to delete existing determination data records.

Changes must be confirmed with the Enter key. This will check the field values and, if neces-
sary, display messages.

Note
Without an entry in the Valid From and Valid TO the system will automatically fill the Valid From date
with today’s date and the Valid To date with “31.12.9999”.

Example
Maintenance Screen for Sequence steps
Plant 0001
Storage Location 0001
Terminal ID TERM01
Valid From 13.10.2020
Valid TO 31.13.9999
Printer Name LABELPRT01

7. Select the Save button to save your entries.

If data were changed, a popup is displayed asking you whether want to save the data when you
exit the determination records data maintenance screen.

8. Select Yes. You will return the sequence step selection screen.

Result
You created determination data records for the determination application.

Note
When data records for determination applications are maintained, entries with overlapping validity peri-
ods are possible but not allowed. This must be guaranteed by organizational means. When a determination
application is executed for a period with overlap, it is not defined which of the valid entries is found. For
this reason, do select entries the validity of which does not overlap (not even partially) with identical key
fields. Key fields are Plant and Work area.

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On the database, the input fields of the sequence step as well as, for technical reasons, the valid-to
date are the key fields of the table. It follows that if in two or more entries all input fields as well as
the valid-to date are identical, only the first entry is stored.

Example
Plant Material Valid from Valid to Description
0001 123 01.03.2020 31.12.9999 Test
0001 123 01.05.2020 31.12.9999 Test

When the second data record is maintained, the information message “A data record with the same
key is already being processed”, is displayed. If the data record is saved the message “Data were
saved” may be displayed. In reality the data record is not stored.

3.3 Display Determination Records

Overview
This function can be used to call up determination records in Display mode.

Procedure
IMG Menu Softproviding Core > Baseline > Determination Applications > Dis-
play Determination Data Records
Transaction /SPDGS/FIND_D_TABLES

1. Start the transaction using one of the above options. The start screen for displaying determina-
tion records is shown.

2. Enter the desired values in the Application and Sequence fields and confirm the selection with
the Execute button.

Result
The determination records for the Determination Application are displayed.

Note

On the selection screen for displaying determination records, user settings can be called up with the User
settings button.

On the results screen, you can branch to editing these data records with the Maintain determination data
records button.

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3.4 User Settings

Overview
The user settings allow you to make presettings for the display and maintenance transactions for de-
termination data records.

Prerequisites
In order to be able to use determinations, these must already have been created.

Procedure
SAP Menu Softproviding Core > Baseline > Determination Applications > User
Settings
Transaction /SPDGS/FIND_UST

1. Start the User Settings transaction using one of the two options above.

2 Select the New entries button.

The following fields and indicators are available for input for every new User object. Fill in val-
ues in the desired fields:

Fields and Indicators for the Object User

Field Name Description
User Username for which these settings are valid.
Default appl. Preset determination application.
Default seq. Preset sequence step of the determination. Only possible in com-
bination with a preset determination application.
Param ID f. det. appl. This flag indicates whether determination application and the se-
quence step are to be drawn from the respective parameter IDs
(/SPDGS/FIND_APPL_ID und /SPDGS/SEQ_NUM_ID).

The values for said parameter IDs can be maintained in the SAP
menu bar via System > User Profile > User Data.
Show preset det. apps. If this indicator is set, only the preset determinations are shown
in the search help (see following steps).
Only active det. apps This flag allows you to control that only active determination ap-
plications are shown in the search help.
Determ. Trace active Activates the determination trace for the user.

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Note
If a determination application is preset (possibly with sequence step and the Param ID f. det. appl. flag is
active, the values from the parameter IDs will take priority. This may also be “empty” or SPACE.

3. Select the Save button, to save your entries.

4. In order to assign preset determination applications to the user (only necessary or useful in con-
nection with the Show preset det. apps. indicator), select the Determination Applications for Dis-
play folder in the explorer tree to the left. Otherwise, maintenance of the user settings is com-
pleted.

5. Select the New entries button.

The following fields are available for input for each new Determination Applications for Display
object:

Fields for the Object Determination Applications for Display

Field Name Description
Appl. Determination application assigned to the user
Description Description of the determination application
Visual order Display order which allows you to set the sequence of the deter-
mination applications in the search help.

Note
The search help sorts the determination applications in ascending order by the Visual Order field. “Empty”
or SPACE is the equivalent of zero and therefore always stands at the beginning of a list.

6. Select the Save button to save your entries.

Result
Depending on the settings, the determination application is filled automatically with data stemming
from the user settings or the parameter IDs when display/maintenance transaction of the determina-
tion data records. In the search help, the determination application is displayed according to the set-
tings (i.e. possibly only determinations assigned to the user and/or no inactive determination).

Determination trace may be active.

3.5 Execute Determination Application

Overview
In the determination applications, customer-specific master data are stored. Calling a determination
application therefore means merely reading these master data. Since it only makes sense to read mas-

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ter data if they are meant to be processed in any way, executing, or calling the determination appli-
cations without subsequent processing is useless. Determination applications are therefore almost
exclusively called directly in the program code. A transaction is therefore superfluous.

Prerequisites
The determination application to be executed must have been and determination data records possi-
bly had to have been maintained.

The executing user needs the authorization to execute the determination application.

Procedure
The execution of the determination applications is written in the program code. For this, function
module /SPDGS/FIND_VALUES is executed.

The following parameters are available in function module /SPDGS/FIND_VALUES:

Parameters of Function Module/SPDGS/FIND_VAUES

Parameter Description
IV_APPLICATION Determination application to be executed.
IV_SEL_DATE Validity date of the date records to find (default is the current
date / system date).
IS_INPUT Structure from which the values of the search fields are taken.
IV_NO_MESSAGE If messages are generated when the determination application is
executed, they are displayed if the SAP GUI is used. This parame-
ter allows you to inactivate the messages.
EV_NOT_FOUND If no valid entry fitting the search fields is found in any of the de-
termination application sequence steps, it will be marked by this
parameter.
EV_SEQUENCE_NUMBER If a data record is found, this field will show the sequence step
from which the entry stems.
ET_RETURN This table contains all the messages that occurred within the
function module, independent of parameter IV_NO_MESSAGE.
CS_OUTPUT Structure into which the values of the output fields of the respec-
tive sequence step

Note
The import parameter IS_INPUT is used to determine the search field values for all sequence steps. For
each search field, the parameter is searched for structure fields with identical names. If found, this value
is used for data selection.

The same goes for the Changing parameter CS_OUTPUT. For the output fields of any found data record,
the parameter is searched for structure fields with identical names. If found, this value is transferred. This
parameter is optional – in case only the existence of an entry needs to be verified.

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The SAP Standard conversion rules apply to both of the above-mentioned parameters as long as the types
of the relevant fields in the parameters differ from those of the determination fields.

It is recommended to have the main structure generated for each determination application. It will auto-
matically contain all relevant fields of the determination application and may be used for IS_INPUT as
well as for CS_OUTPUT. In general, however, any data field may be transferred to these parameters.

Result
After function module /SPDGS/FIND_VALUES is called the result of the search is available in the
parameters EV_NOT_FOUND, EV_SEQUENCE_NUMBER and CS_OUTPUT. EV_NOT_FOUND will
show whether a data record was found. If a data record was found, the sequence step is located in
EV_SEQUENCE_NUMBER and the values of the determined data record in CS_OUTPUT. If messages
occur, they can be found in ET_RETURN

3.6 Evaluate Determination Trace

Overview
The Determination Trace functionality may be used to evaluate accesses to determination applica-
tions. If the Determination trace functionality is activated in the user settings, each execution of all
determinations for this user is logged and may be evaluated accordingly.

Prerequisites
The Determination Trace functionality must be activated in the user settings. Determination appli-
cations must have been executed.

Procedure
SAP Menu Softproviding Core > Baseline > Determination Applications > Show
Trace
Transaction /SPDGS/FIND_TRC

1. Start the Show Trace transaction using one of the two options above.

2. If necessary, make restrictions in the selection screen or change the default settings.

3. Select the Execute button. A list with the respective accesses to determination applications is
displayed

The following fields are available in the list

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Fields in the Determination Trace List

Field Name Description
User User who executed the determination application.
Application Determination application which was executed
Created on Creation date of the trace entry
Created at Time at which the trace entry was created
Timestamp Timestamp of the execution of the determination application
Sequence Sequence step in which an entry was found (“empty” means no
entry was found).
Variable key text Field content of IS_INPUT (as character string)
Variable key Field content of CS_OUTPUT (as character string)
Transaction code Executing transaction (field values of SY-TCODE at the time of
execution of the determination application)
Calling program Executing program (field values of SY-CPROG at the time of exe-
cution of the determination application).

Result
Accesses to determination applications can be analyzed in detail.

Caution
Active determination trace may create a great amount of data. Also, the additional data base cooper-
ation needed to write the trace entry will influence performance negatively. For these reasons you
should only activate determination trace if needed.

3.7 Enhancements for Determination Applications

Overview
There are various possibilities to enhance determination applications by means of a BAdI. You may,
for instance, include authorization checks of your own. In the maintenance transaction, it is further-
more possible to manipulate layout and functions as well as determination data records before storing
the data.

Prerequisites
The SAP username of the user carrying out the enhancement needs to have a valid SA developer key.

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Procedure
IMG Menu Softproviding Core > Baseline > Determination > Determination Ap-
plications > Determination Applications >System Modifications >
Enhancements for Determination Applications

1. Start the Enhancements for Determination Application customizing activity via the above-men-
tioned path.

A list with the existing BAdI implementation with which to enhance determination applications
is displayed. In case none exists, the dialog with which to create a BAdI implementation is
started directly.

2. Create a BAdI implementation.

This corresponds to the SAP Standard dialog with which to create a BAdI implementation,
which is documented in the respective SAP documentation.

Note
This BAdI implementation may also be carried out in the SAP Standard transactions SE18 and SE19. The
appropriate enhancement spot and BAdI name is each time /SPDGS/FIND

3. Implement the desired method of the implemented class.

The following methods are available in the BAdI for implementation:

BAdI Methods for the Enhancement of Determination Applications

Method Description
BADI_FIND_BEFORE_START_DISPLAY This method is executed between the selection and
bevor the display of the data in the display transac-
tion of the determination applications. It is possible to
manipulate the selected data or to prevent the start.
BADI_FIND_BEFORE_START_MAINT This method is executed between the selection and
bevor the display of the data in the display transac-
tion of the determination applications. It is possible to
prevent the start.
BADI_FIND_ALV_PBO_MAINT This method is called for the initialization of the ALV
grid list in the maintenance transaction of the deter-
mination data records and allows you to manipulate
the layout, the display variant, and the field catalog.
Also, ALV grid functions may be restricted and the
data to be processed may be manipulated.
BADI_FIND_ALV_BEFORE_SAVE Before you are saving, this method allows you to ma-
nipulate data records changed in the maintenance
transaction or data records to be deleted.
BADI_FIND_AUTHORITY_CHECK For each authorization check to do with determination
applications (e.g. for the activities display, change, or

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Method Description
execute) this method is called first. You may imple-
ment your own authorization check and, if necessary,
inactivate the standard authorization check.

Result
There are active enhancements for determination applications.

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4 Technology Comparison: Object Determination vs.

Determination Application

4.1 Assignment of the Corresponding Object Deter-

mination Elements
Determination appli- Object determination - Object determination - description
cation - element element
Determination applica- Object plan Maintenance of class objects in dependency of a
tion validity period
Step Object In this section you define, per plant, objects with
a text and a priority. Objects may be, for in-
stance, pigs, halves, cow, young cow. They are
freely definable. Each object has its class and cer-
tain characteristics (inputs)
Search fields Characteristics Property serving to distinguish between objects,
e.g. length, color, weight.
Output fields Output fields In addition to the objects, output fields may be
used to store further information on an object.

4.2 Comparison of Elements

Object determination - Advantage Disadvantage
element
Object plan — Amendment of search or- — SAP standard and Softproviding
der in the production sys- customizing objects required =>
tem with no transport order extensive customizing
— Object plan of the relevant — Definition of the validity period
authorization concept only cross-object
— Integration in DPS workbench
only possible by creating DPS
wrapper function module
Determination appli- Advantage Disadvantage
cation - element
Determination applica- — Only Softproviding cus- — Definition of search order only
tion tomizing objects required possible in the customizing sys-
=> lean customizing tem


Non-ABAP software components are NOT qualified by SAP, they are provided directly by Softproviding (via the
Softproviding Extranet). Customers who install and operate these components do so on their own responsibility. They
are not part of the SAP license agreement but are still maintained by Softproviding.

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Think ahead. Go there.

Object determination - Advantage Disadvantage

element
— Integration in DPS work- — No authorization concept
bench possible without cre-
ation of DPS wrapper func-
tion module

Object determination - Advantage Disadvantage

element
Object — De/activation in produc- — Lock all object plans in the class
tion system possible for object amendment
— Re-creation in production
system possible
Determination appli- Advantage Disadvantage
cation - element
step — Parallel editing of steps by — De/activation possible in cus-
different users possible tomizing system only
— Definition of validity pe- — No creation in production sys-
riod for each step tem possible

Object determination - Advantage Disadvantage

element
Characteristics — Maintenance of several — SAP standard customizing ob-
values for each characteris- ject required => extensive cus-
tic possible tomizing
— Value restriction inclusive
and exclusive possible
— Maintenance of value
ranges possible
Determination appli- Advantage Disadvantage
cation - element
Search fields — No SAP standard customiz- — No maintenance of several val-
ing object required => lean ues for each characteristic possi-
customizing ble
— Only inclusive value restriction
possible
— No maintenance of value ranges
possible

4.3 Conclusion

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Object plan area of operation

If the following criteria for managing business process data apply, the use of object determination tech-
nology is recommended:

— Complex search criteria

— Authorization concept required
— Automatic deactivation of business process data
— Ad hoc changes directly in the production system required
— Solid SAP proficiency in business departments

Application determination area of application

If the following criteria for managing business process data apply, the use of application determination
technology is recommended:

— Simple search criteria

— No authorization concept required
— SAP department should have overall responsibility for administration
— Little SAP proficiency in business departments

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