In ABAP programming, when is the END-OF-SELECTION event typically used within a report program lifecycle?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: It is used after the data selection is complete to process and display the final list output.

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
ABAP is the programming language used in SAP systems, and it includes a set of predefined events that control report execution. Understanding when each event is triggered is crucial for writing correct and efficient reports. This question asks specifically about the END-OF-SELECTION event and its place in the report lifecycle, which is a common topic in ABAP interviews and exams.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The language is ABAP and we are dealing with a classical report program.
  • Events such as INITIALIZATION, AT SELECTION-SCREEN, START-OF-SELECTION, and END-OF-SELECTION are supported.
  • We want to know at what stage END-OF-SELECTION is usually used.
  • We assume the program performs some data selection before generating output.


Concept / Approach:
In a classical ABAP report, START-OF-SELECTION is the main event where data selection logic is usually coded. Once the selection logic has finished, the system triggers END-OF-SELECTION. Developers typically use this event to perform post processing and to build or display the final list output. Therefore, the correct option must associate END-OF-SELECTION with actions performed after data retrieval and before the list is displayed.


Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall the typical execution order: INITIALIZATION, AT SELECTION-SCREEN, START-OF-SELECTION, and then END-OF-SELECTION.2. Data selection, including SELECT statements and internal table filling, is commonly done in START-OF-SELECTION.3. After START-OF-SELECTION has completed, the system raises END-OF-SELECTION, which is a good place for further processing or list generation.4. Option A states that END-OF-SELECTION is used after data selection is complete to process and display the final list output. This matches the standard programming practice in ABAP reports.5. Option B says it occurs before START-OF-SELECTION to initialize selection screens, which is actually the role of INITIALIZATION or AT SELECTION-SCREEN events.6. Option C suggests that END-OF-SELECTION is only for table creation, which is incorrect and unrelated.7. Option D treats it as an exception handling event, which is not its purpose.8. Therefore, Option A is the correct choice.


Verification / Alternative check:
You can confirm this by examining a simple ABAP report that includes both START-OF-SELECTION and END-OF-SELECTION blocks. If you place write statements in both events and run the report, you will see that the code in START-OF-SELECTION executes first, followed by the code in END-OF-SELECTION. SAP documentation on report events also explains that END-OF-SELECTION is triggered after the standard selection block has been processed.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B is wrong because initialization of selection screens happens in INITIALIZATION or AT SELECTION-SCREEN, not in END-OF-SELECTION.Option C is wrong because table creation is not controlled by report lifecycle events.Option D is wrong because ABAP uses exception classes, messages, and error handling mechanisms, not the END-OF-SELECTION event, to manage runtime errors.


Common Pitfalls:
Developers new to ABAP sometimes place all logic in START-OF-SELECTION and ignore END-OF-SELECTION, which can make the code harder to structure for large reports. Another pitfall is misunderstanding the difference between user interaction events and execution events. Knowing when END-OF-SELECTION is triggered helps separate data retrieval from output formatting and supports cleaner modular code.


Final Answer:
It is used after the data selection is complete to process and display the final list output.

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