Basic features

Execution of OpenSQL commands – Any number of select, update and delete OpenSQL commands can be edited at once. In case of executing a select command, the result is displayed in an ALV Grid or in an ALV Tree as requested. The hierarchy levels and sort conditions of the hierarchical tree can be changed at any time without re-executing the select command. Accessing pooled and clustered tables is supported.

Robustness – All syntax variations are accepted, without the use of local variables. Group functions, subqueries (nested to any level), inner and outer joins, related select constructs (“Select for all entries in…” command) are all supported.

Related database queries – Any result set of a select command can be the input of another select query. In this case, the res u lt of the  “outer” select  command is used in the “for all entries in” clause of the “inner” select command. The result of a “select for all entries” command  may be also used as an input of another one, so these commands may be nested to any levels.    

Format the data extracted – Common mathematical calculations can be added to the result set without coding, and without accessing the database. Totals, subtotals, averages, minimum and maximum values can be calculated for any numerical column of the result set. Sorting and filtering the result is also possible without typing and stressing the database.

Use the data extracted – The result of a select command can be printed, exported to a spreadsheet and many other formats, and can be used as the basis for creating charts.
  

Ease of use

Dynamic value ranges – An easy and quick way of filtering the affected records of a command, eliminates the need of manually typing in the filter conditions.

Linked Query Assistant – A feature that helps to develop commands with inner and outer joins. The Linked Query Assistant reads the data dictionary to explore the relations between database tables. With a few clicks, a join or a subquery may be implemented automatically, without typing anything.

Field Selection Wizard – An efficient feature that provides a way to select the fields used in a command without manual typing. It reads the table definition from the Data Dictionary and offers the fields with their descriptions in a list for selection.  

Commands can be organized into folders within the Repository – Command properties may be set for each command (shor t and long description, link to Business Object or Application Component, search terms..). Commands can be searched by any of these properties.

Shortcuts to relevant transactions – Once a command is parsed and the accessed tables are recognized, many user friendly tools are available with a push of a button, like displaying the Table/View (call SE11), table indexes, technical settings, Where-Used List and a Network Graphics tool to discover relationships between tables.

Application Hierarchy Explorer – The application hierarchy of the underlying SAP system can be browsed to find data dictionary objects related to a specific software module. All the development packages are displayed as subnodes of the relevant application components. Data dictionary objects are listed for every package and can be displayed with the appropriate transaction with

Advanced features

The result set of a select command is editable –   If a select command fulfills certain conditions (selects  from one table, includes all key fields, contains no group functions), the result ALV Grid can be switched into edit mode, and all the records may be changed or deleted, new ones can be added. A locking mechanism ensures that one record in the database cannot be modified if it is already locked. This locking concept is not working only in Hovitaga OpenSQL Editor, but checks all locks that were placed on the database record by other programs. When the editing of the result set is finished, all the changes can be saved to the database with a push of a single button. An automatic input help/input check may be switched on and off at any time.

Universal data import – Data can be imported to any table from practically any source (MS Excel, MS Access, flat files etc.) with the trivial use of the clipboard. Data can be reviewed and adjusted before saving to the database. The mapping of fields is simple and easygoing using the Field Selection Wizard or simply moving the columns of the result set using drag and drop.   

Loop-at workbench - due to the limitations of the OpenSQL language, some modifications of the database are impossible with a simple update command, and a separate report must be created. The Loop-at Workbench offers a perfect alternative and eliminates the creation of “disposable” reports that slowly but steadily fill the SAP database. With the SAP standard developer authority check and explicit authorization, the users can execute ABAP code on the result of any select command, so all the limitations of OpenSQL are gone.  Any custom logic can be implemented, and all the modifications can be saved to the database with a single click. No hassle with the data declaration, displaying the results on the screen, locking the records, no more painful hours in the debugger.
   
Data backup & restore – Any result set of a select command can be the basis for creating a transparent table in the data dictio  nary. The structure of the table will be the same as the structure of the result set, and the records of the result set are inserted into the newly created table. Restoring the records can be done easily and quickly. The same set of data extracted at different times can be easily compared and analyzed.