In SAP S/4HANA,delta-specific fieldsare used to identify and extract only the changes (deltas) in data since the last extraction. These fields are critical for ensuring efficient data replication and minimizing the volume of data transferred between systems. For ageneric DataSource, the following delta-specific fields are commonly used:
Calendar Day (A):Thecalendar dayfield is often used as a delta-specific field to track changes based on the date when the data was modified. This is particularly useful for scenarios where datachanges are logged daily, such as transactional or master data updates. By filtering records based on the calendar day, you can extract only the relevant changes.
Record Mode (D):Therecord modefield indicates the type of change that occurred for a specific record (e.g., insert, update, or delete). This field is essential for delta management because it allows the system to distinguish between new records, updated records, and deleted records. For example:
"N" (New) for inserts.
"U" (Update) for updates.
"D" (Delete) for deletions.
Time Stamp (E):Thetime stampfield captures the exact date and time when a record was created or modified. This is one of the most common delta-specific fields because it provides precise information about when changes occurred. By comparing the time stamp of the last extraction with the current data, you can extract only the changes made after the last run.
Request ID (B):Therequest IDis not typically used as a delta-specific field. It identifies the extraction request but does not provide information about the changes in the data itself. Instead, it is used internally by the system to track extraction processes.
Numeric Pointer (C):Anumeric pointeris another internal mechanism used by SAP to manage delta queues. However, it is not a delta-specific field that can be directly used in generic DataSources. Numeric pointers are managed automatically by the system and are not exposed for custom delta logic.
Incorrect Options:
SAP Data Engineer - Data Fabric Context:In the context ofSAP Data Engineer - Data Fabric, understanding delta-specific fields is crucial for designing efficient data integration pipelines. Generic DataSources are often used to extract data from SAP S/4HANA systems into downstream systems like SAP BW/4HANA or other analytics platforms. Proper use of delta-specific fields ensures that only the necessary data is extracted, reducing latency and improving performance.
For further details, refer to:
SAP S/4HANA Embedded Analytics Documentation: Explains delta mechanisms and delta-specific fields for generic DataSources.
SAP BW/4HANA Extraction Guides: Provides best practices for configuring delta extraction in SAP BW/4HANA.
By selectingA (Calendar day),D (Record mode), andE (Time stamp), you ensure that the correct delta-specific fields are identified for efficient data extraction.