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