SAP ABAP: How to Append Strings (CONCATENATE, &&, STRING_CONCATENATE)

In SAP ABAP, you can append strings using different methods depending on your ABAP version. Here are the common ways:

1. Using CONCATENATE

DATA: lv_string TYPE string VALUE 'Hello'.

CONCATENATE lv_string ' ABAP' INTO lv_string.
WRITE: lv_string.  " Output: Hello ABAP

• This method overwrites lv_string with the new concatenated value.

2. Using && Operator (ABAP 7.40+)

DATA: lv_string TYPE string VALUE 'Hello'.

lv_string = lv_string && ' ABAP'.
WRITE: lv_string.  " Output: Hello ABAP

• This method is shorter and easier to read.

3. Using STRING_CONCATENATE (ABAP 7.50+)

DATA: lv_string TYPE string VALUE 'Hello'.

lv_string = STRING_CONCATENATE( val1 = lv_string val2 = 'ABAP' separator = ' ' ).
WRITE: lv_string.  " Output: Hello ABAP

• Useful when you need a dynamic separator.

4. Appending Strings in an Internal Table

If you’re appending multiple strings and storing them in an internal table:

DATA: lt_strings TYPE TABLE OF string,
      lv_result TYPE string.

APPEND 'Hello' TO lt_strings.
APPEND 'ABAP' TO lt_strings.

CONCATENATE LINES OF lt_strings INTO lv_result SEPARATED BY space.
WRITE: lv_result.  " Output: Hello ABAP

• This is useful when dealing with multiple values dynamically.

Best Practice

• Use && for simple cases (ABAP 7.40+).
• Use CONCATENATE if working with older ABAP versions.
• Use internal tables for handling dynamic multiple strings.