SAP table join is among the vital breakthroughs and advantages that come enclosed in the ERP software by SAP AG. The basic element that ensures efficiency in most business application software is interrelationships between different departments. To achieve this connection, relationships are developed from the primary level, which is through tables and queries.
The consequential result is a well organized relationship that enables the different departments in a business to share information seamlessly. Joining tables through established queries and setting boundaries to govern relationships is much easier when an efficient user interface is in place.
Understanding SAP Table Join
Table Join description (in SAP)
Two tables are only considered to be joined when they are linked within a SELECT option which then gives the several tables a single name known as “join”. The result is therefore one single table which contains all the fields of joined tables with their links specified and separated accordingly in the columns. SAP table join allows up to six different joins which include the following:
• Inner join – This type of join should be used where the referential integrity is ensured, although it is not a strict condition. They are faster hence the most preferred solution for those who take a semantic perspective. They can also be used in creating a joint dimension by joining different master data tables.
• Left outer join – This join is selective which implies that the first (left) tables records are selected alongside any matching record in the second table. If a match is not identified, the right side will register/contain null. It is much slower as compared to inner join.
• Right outer join – This is the relative opposite of left outer join where records from the second table (right) are selected alongside matching records in the first. The left will contain null if no match is identified.
• Full outer join – This type of join is used to select only matching records from the two tables. Full outer join, right and left outer joins as well as inner joins are standard database joins.
The other two included in the SAP HANA model are:
• Referential join – This is a form of inner join which assumes the existence of a referential integrity. A referential integrity refers to the database property that recognizes a key value as primary in the referenced table, even if it existed as a foreign key in the original table. This type of join is wiser than inner join, although it should only be used when the integrity is maintained.
• Text join – This type of join is mainly used for language specific details which must be specified in the language column. It is used to extract records with language specific descriptions.
Conclusion
There are many advantages of table join which includes ease of forming queries and relationships between tables. It also simplifies displays thus reducing the time needed to select and manipulate tables and links. The join table also features additional controls which further enhances relationship building. What’s more, SAP table join brings in two more functions in referential and text join which further increases the options for specifying links and relationships.