Core Data Services (CDS) have revolutionized data modeling in SAP environments, enabling semantic-rich views directly on the database layer. As SAP landscapes evolve, the need to adapt standard CDS views to meet specific business requirements without modifying the original objects has grown. This is where CDS View Extensions come into play.
CDS View Extensions allow developers to enhance or augment existing CDS views by adding fields, annotations, or associations in a clean, upgrade-safe manner. This article provides an introduction to CDS View Extensions, their purpose, how they work, and their relevance in SAP HANA Live solutions.
In enterprise SAP scenarios, many CDS views are delivered as part of SAP standard content — such as SAP HANA Live views or SAP S/4HANA embedded analytics. Modifying these standard views directly is not recommended because:
Instead, CDS View Extensions offer a modular way to extend the logic or data model of a standard CDS view without altering its original definition. This keeps customizations separate and safe during system upgrades.
Using extensions, you can:
extend view <Original_View_Name> with <Extension_Name>.extend view I_SalesOrderItem with Z_SalesOrderItem_Extension
{
@UI.lineItem: [{ position: 20 }]
z_custom_field : char20;
// New association
_to_custom_info : association to Z_CustomInfo
on $projection.z_custom_field = _to_custom_info.key_field;
}
SAP HANA Live content consists of a large number of CDS views exposed for operational reporting. Customers often need to:
Using CDS View Extensions in SAP HANA Live ensures:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Upgrade Compatibility | Custom extensions do not interfere with SAP standard views, ensuring smooth upgrades. |
| Modular Customization | Extensions can be developed and maintained independently. |
| Reusability | Extensions can be reused or modified without touching core objects. |
| Enhanced Flexibility | Easily add fields, associations, or annotations to meet evolving business needs. |
| Seamless Integration | Extended views behave like standard CDS views to all consuming applications and tools. |
Z_ or Y_ prefix).CDS View Extensions are a vital tool in the SAP HANA Live ecosystem, enabling customers and developers to tailor SAP-delivered CDS views to their unique business requirements safely and effectively. By embracing extensions, organizations can maintain a clean separation between standard SAP content and custom logic, ensuring flexibility, upgradability, and simplified lifecycle management.
For SAP professionals working with CDS views and SAP HANA Live, mastering CDS View Extensions is essential to delivering scalable, future-proof solutions.