Open SQL is a set of ABAP statements that performs operations like reads, modifies or deletes data in the SAP database. Open SQL is independent of the database system, so the syntax of the open SQL is uniform for all the databases supported by SAP.

All open SQL statements are passed to the database interface. The DB interface converts the open SQL to native SQL and passes it on to the database.

List of Open SQL statements
Open SQL Description
SELECT Reads data from database
INSERT Inserts lines to database
UPDATE Changes the contents of lines in database
MODIFY Inserts lines into database or changes the contents of existing lines
DELETE Deletes lines from database
All Open SQL statements fill the following two system fields:
  • SY-SUBRC – After every Open SQL statement, the system field SY-SUBRC contains the value 0 if the operation was successful, a value other than 0 if not.
  • SY-DBCNT – After an open SQL statement, the system field SY-DBCNT contains the number of database lines processed.


Serkan AKKAVAK
Computer Engineer
ABAP Developer & SAP S/4 HANA Logistics Consultant
Contact : serkurumsal@yandex.com