Difference between Data Dictionary and Data Repository

Updated May 18, 2018

Data Dictionary vs Data Repository

ABAP Dictionary is a central component of the ABAP workbench. It contains both business and technical definitions and descriptions of SAP data.The ABAP/4 Dictionary stores system-wide data definitions.
When you create a new data definition, the Dictionary tool does all the processing necessary to create the definition. You can use the Dictionary tool to look up the "definition" of objects in your R/3 System
The Data Dictionary is the set of metadata used to describe the data stored in the repository. The data descriptions in a Data Dictionary is also called metadata, i.e., data that describes other data.
The ABAP Dictionary enables all data definitions used in the SAP System to be described and managed centrally. The tasks of the ABAP Dicitonary can be subdivided into: Database object definitions (tables, views, and so on) Type definitions (structures, tables types, and so on) Services definitions (F1 help, F4 help, lock objects and so on)

Data Repository is a Central catalog that contains the descriptions of an organization's data and provides information about the relationships between the data and its use in programs and screens.
The Repository, the central store for all ABAP workbench development objects, is also cross-client. It contains all Dictionary objects (tables, data elements, domains), and also all ABAP programs, menus and screens. Repository objects are grouped together to form packages.
A repository is a place where data are stored and maintained.

Comments

21 Mar 2017 1:59 pm Guest

First of all I want to thank you for this Tutorial.
But please also accept this: in the paragraph of Data Dictonary we see the term ABAP Dictonary, ABAP/4 Dictionary and Data Dictonary. Its not clear if all terms mean the same or something different.