Universal function module to retrieve SAP table data - select

Question

What is the best way to access table data from a SAP system?
I tried it with it RFC_READ_TABLE, but this RFC returns the data in concatenated form within a single column and has a size restriction for row data.
Is there a better way to access SAP data in generic form without creating custom RFCs into the system?
I am searching for a standard RFC solution, not a custom script.

Answer 1

If I understand your question right, you want to read a table, but at time of programming, you don't know which table.
With Select * from (tablename)you can read with a dynamic table name.
The target field can be defined dynamic with create data.
An example (untested, currently I have no access to an SAP-system):
DATA: lv_tablename TYPE string,
ev_filelength TYPE i.
lv_tablename = 'mara'. "e.g. a parameter
DATA dref TYPE REF TO data.
CREATE DATA dref TYPE TABLE OF (lv_tablename).
FIELD-SYMBOLS: <wa> TYPE ANY TABLE.
ASSIGN dref->* to <wa>.
SELECT * FROM (lv_tablename) INTO TABLE <wa>. "Attention for test, may be large result
"<wa> is like a variable with type table mara

Answer 2

TYPES: BEGIN OF t_bseg,
*include structure bseg.
bukrs LIKE bseg-bukrs,
belnr LIKE bseg-belnr,
gjahr LIKE bseg-gjahr,
buzei LIKE bseg-buzei,
mwskz LIKE bseg-mwskz, "Tax code
umsks LIKE bseg-umsks, "Special G/L transaction type
prctr LIKE bseg-prctr, "Profit Centre
hkont LIKE bseg-hkont, "G/L account
xauto LIKE bseg-xauto,
koart LIKE bseg-koart,
dmbtr LIKE bseg-dmbtr,
mwart LIKE bseg-mwart,
hwbas LIKE bseg-hwbas,
aufnr LIKE bseg-aufnr,
projk LIKE bseg-projk,
shkzg LIKE bseg-shkzg,
kokrs LIKE bseg-kokrs,
END OF t_bseg.
DATA: it_bseg TYPE STANDARD TABLE OF t_bseg INITIAL SIZE 0,
wa_bseg TYPE t_bseg.
DATA: it_ekko TYPE STANDARD TABLE OF ekko.
*Select all fields of a SAP database table into in itab
SELECT *
FROM ekko
INTO TABLE it_ekko.

Answer 3

Try this snippet of RFC_READ_TABLE to get data in structured form:
DATA: oref TYPE REF TO cx_root,
text TYPE string,
obj_data TYPE REF TO data.
lt_options TYPE TABLE OF rfc_db_opt,
ls_option TYPE rfc_db_opt,
lt_fields TYPE TABLE OF rfc_db_fld,
ls_field TYPE rfc_db_fld,
lt_entries TYPE STANDARD TABLE OF tab512.
FIELD-SYMBOLS: <fs_tab> TYPE STANDARD TABLE.
TRY.
ls_option-text = `some query`.
APPEND ls_option TO lt_options.
ls_field-fieldname = 'PARTNER'.
APPEND ls_field TO lt_fields.
ls_field-fieldname = 'TYPE'.
APPEND ls_field TO lt_fields.
ls_field-fieldname = 'BU_GROUP'.
APPEND ls_field TO lt_fields.
ls_field-fieldname = 'BU_SORT1'.
APPEND ls_field TO lt_fields.
ls_field-fieldname = 'TITLE'.
APPEND ls_field TO lt_fields.
CALL FUNCTION 'RFC_READ_TABLE' DESTINATION dest
EXPORTING
query_table = 'BUT000'
TABLES
options = lt_options
fields = lt_fields
data = lt_entries.
CATCH cx_root INTO oref.
text = oref->get_text( ).
MESSAGE text TYPE 'E'.
ENDTRY.
IF lt_entries IS NOT INITIAL.
CREATE DATA obj_data TYPE TABLE OF but000.
ASSIGN obj_data->* TO <fs_tab>.
CREATE DATA obj_data TYPE but000.
ASSIGN obj_data->* TO FIELD-SYMBOL(<fs_line>).
LOOP AT lt_entries ASSIGNING FIELD-SYMBOL(<wa_data>).
LOOP AT lt_fields ASSIGNING FIELD-SYMBOL(<fs_fld>).
ASSIGN COMPONENT <fs_fld>-fieldname OF STRUCTURE <fs_line> TO FIELD-SYMBOL(<lv_field>).
IF <lv_field> IS ASSIGNED AND sy-subrc IS INITIAL.
<lv_field> = <wa_data>-wa+<fs_fld>-offset(<fs_fld>-length).
ENDIF.
APPEND <fs_line> TO <fs_tab>.
ENDLOOP.
ENDLOOP.
ENDIF.
IF <fs_tab> IS NOT INITIAL.
"Bingo!
ENDIF.