SAP HANA is an advanced in-memory database platform designed to provide real-time data processing and analytics. One of the foundational skills for working with SAP HANA is understanding how to create tables where data is stored. Tables are essential database objects that hold structured data and enable efficient querying and processing.
This article walks you through the process of creating your first table in SAP HANA, offering a practical introduction for SAP professionals and beginners entering the SAP HANA environment.
A table in SAP HANA is a database object that stores data in rows and columns, similar to spreadsheets but optimized for high-speed transactions and analytics. Tables can be created in several ways, including using SAP HANA Studio, SAP HANA Cockpit, or SQL commands.
Before creating your first table, ensure that you have:
While graphical tools are available, the fastest and most flexible way to create tables in SAP HANA is by writing SQL statements.
Open SAP HANA Studio or Database Explorer and connect to your SAP HANA system using valid credentials.
Once connected, open the SQL Console to execute SQL commands.
Here’s a basic example to create a simple table named EMPLOYEES:
CREATE COLUMN TABLE EMPLOYEES (
EMPLOYEE_ID INT PRIMARY KEY,
FIRST_NAME NVARCHAR(50),
LAST_NAME NVARCHAR(50),
DEPARTMENT NVARCHAR(50),
SALARY DECIMAL(15, 2),
HIRE_DATE DATE
);
Explanation of the syntax:
CREATE COLUMN TABLE: Defines the table as a column store, which is the default and recommended storage in SAP HANA for performance.
EMPLOYEES: The name of the table.
Columns with data types and constraints:
EMPLOYEE_ID: Integer and primary key.FIRST_NAME, LAST_NAME, DEPARTMENT: Text fields with a max length of 50 characters.SALARY: Decimal number with precision.HIRE_DATE: Date type.Run the SQL statement. If successful, the table will be created in your schema.
You can verify the table by running:
SELECT * FROM EMPLOYEES;
Since the table is new and empty, the query will return no rows but confirms that the table exists.
For those who prefer a graphical interface:
NOT NULL where possible.Creating your first table in SAP HANA is a fundamental skill that opens the door to managing and manipulating data effectively in SAP’s high-performance database platform. Whether you use SQL commands or the graphical interface, understanding how to define tables properly ensures that your applications and analytics run efficiently.
Once you’ve mastered table creation, you can explore more advanced topics like data modeling, views, and stored procedures in SAP HANA.