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A field symbol is a place holder for a field (i.e. a pointer). A field symbol does not reserve space for the field, but points to the field (i.e., a field symbol assumes the address of the field, not the value).
A field symbol can point to single fields or field strings (structures). Remember that the "TABLES" statement creates a field string with the appropriate ABAP Dictionary structure.
When working with field symbols, angle brackets (< >) must be used.
The "FIELD-SYMBOLS" statement is used to declare a field symbol.
DATA: NUM TYPE I VALUE 12.
FIELD-SYMBOLS: <Test> type NUM.
ASSIGN: NUM TO <Test>,
A field symbol's name can be up to 30 characters in length including angle brakets(<>).
This name should begin with a letter and the remainder of the name should consist of letters, numbers, or an underscore.
If a field symbol is defined without attributes, it takes on the attributes of the field assigned to it.
If a field symbol is given a data type and length (either explicitly or with the "LIKE" addition), the system verifies that the field symbol has the same attributes as the field assigned to it.
The "ASSIGN" statement associates a field to a field symbol at runtime (i.e., when the program is executed).
If you change the value to a field symbol, you are really changing the value of the field assigned to the field symbol. If you write the value of the field symbol, you are really writing the value of the field assigned to the field symbol.
