Subject: SAP-HANA-Live
With the advent of SAP S/4HANA, SAP introduced a paradigm shift in data modeling and reporting. At the heart of this transformation lies Core Data Services (CDS) Views, a powerful technology that enables efficient, semantic-rich, and reusable data models directly on the SAP HANA database. CDS views serve as the backbone for SAP HANA Live content, bridging transactional data and analytics seamlessly.
This article explores the pivotal role of CDS views in S/4HANA and their significance in enabling real-time operational reporting and analytics.
Core Data Services (CDS) are a layer of abstraction that defines semantic data models using a declarative syntax based on SQL. Unlike traditional database views, CDS views encapsulate business logic, annotations, and metadata, allowing them to serve not just as data providers but as integral elements of the SAP data platform.
In S/4HANA, CDS views replace many classical reporting techniques by delivering reusable, extensible, and efficient models for consumption.
SAP HANA Live content is primarily composed of CDS views. These views provide a virtual data model exposing business data from S/4HANA transactional tables in a consumable, ready-to-query format.
CDS views embed business logic close to the data source by supporting:
This semantic richness reduces the need for additional logic in the application or reporting layer.
Embedded analytics in S/4HANA rely heavily on CDS views to provide insights directly within transactional apps. CDS views serve as data sources for:
They ensure that analytics are tightly integrated with operational processes, delivering context-aware insights.
CDS views are designed to be modular and reusable. S/4HANA provides:
Additionally, CDS views can be extended using extension frameworks without modifying the original content, enabling customer-specific enhancements.
By leveraging SAP HANA’s in-memory computing and push-down of calculations to the database layer, CDS views optimize query performance. This includes:
| Aspect | Classical Views | CDS Views |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Database level only | Database + semantic layer |
| Business Logic | Limited | Rich, declarative, reusable |
| Metadata & Annotations | Minimal | Extensive support for UI & security |
| Extensibility | Limited | Supported via extensions |
| Integration | Separate tools | Integrated into ABAP environment |
CDS views are the cornerstone of SAP’s next-generation data modeling in S/4HANA, enabling real-time analytics, embedded reporting, and operational insights. They empower organizations to break down the barriers between transactional and analytical systems, delivering a unified platform for business intelligence.
Understanding and leveraging CDS views effectively is essential for SAP professionals aiming to maximize the potential of SAP HANA Live and S/4HANA analytics capabilities.