How To Fix OO158 - You cannot use types in the public section

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: OO - Class Builder/API

• Message number: 158

• Message text: You cannot use types in the public section

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message OO158 - You cannot use types in the public section ?

  The SAP error message OO158 ("You cannot use types in the public section") typically occurs in ABAP when you are trying to declare types (like structures, tables, or data types) in the public section of a class or interface. In ABAP Object-Oriented programming, the public section is meant for defining attributes and methods, not types.
  Cause:
  The error arises because the ABAP language rules do not allow type definitions (like TYPE, TYPES, or DATA) in the public section of a class or interface. Instead, types should be defined in the private section or in a global type pool.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you should move the type definitions to the appropriate section. Here are the steps you can follow:
  
  
  Identify the Type Definition: Locate the type definitions that are causing the error in the public section of your class or interface.
  
  
  Move to Private Section: Move the type definitions to the private section of the class or interface. The private section is where you can define types that are only accessible within the class.
  Example:
  CLASS my_class DEFINITION.
    PUBLIC SECTION.
      METHODS: my_method.
    PRIVATE SECTION.
      TYPES: my_type TYPE i.
  ENDCLASS.
  
  
  Use Global Types: If the type needs to be accessible from multiple classes or programs, consider defining it in a global type pool (using a global structure or table type) instead of within the class.
  
  
  Check for Other Errors: After making these changes, check for any other related errors that may arise due to the changes in type visibility.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  ABAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for more details on ABAP Object-Oriented programming and the structure of classes and interfaces.
  Type Pools: If you need to define types that are shared across multiple classes, consider creating a type pool. This can be done in the ABAP Dictionary (SE11) or by creating a global class with a public section for types.
  Best Practices: It's a good practice to keep type definitions organized and to use private sections for internal types to avoid conflicts and maintain encapsulation.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the OO158 error and ensure that your ABAP code adheres to the language's object-oriented principles.