What is self-descriptive exchange format in SAP CA-DDF - Demand Data Foundation?

SAP Term: self-descriptive exchange format

• Component: CA-DDF

• Component Name: Demand Data Foundation

• Description: A set of text files. The set contains the following mandatory files: Metafile Format file Other optional files may include: Synonym file Dimension file The metafile and the format file contain information about what is contained in the other files that are part of the data delivery and where it is stored. SAP Demand Signal Management interprets the metafile and the format file to know what is contained in the data delivery and to determine where to store the following data: Key figures Hierarchies Attributes Then the system uploads the data.

Smart SAP Assistant

• Key Concepts: 
  Self-descriptive exchange format is a feature of the SAP Demand Data Foundation (CA-DDF) component. It allows for the exchange of data between different systems in a standardized format. This format is self-descriptive, meaning that it contains information about the data itself, such as its type, size, and structure. This makes it easier to interpret and process the data.
  
  How to use it: 
  The self-descriptive exchange format can be used to transfer data between different systems. To do this, the data must first be converted into the self-descriptive format. This can be done using the SAP Data Exchange Tool (DXT). Once the data is in the self-descriptive format, it can then be sent to other systems for processing.
  
  Tips & Tricks: 
  When using the self-descriptive exchange format, it is important to ensure that all of the data is properly formatted and structured. This will ensure that it can be correctly interpreted by other systems. Additionally, it is important to make sure that all of the necessary information is included in the self-descriptive format, such as type and size information.
  
  Related Information: 
  The SAP Demand Data Foundation (CA-DDF) component also includes other features such as data replication and transformation capabilities. Additionally, there are other tools available for exchanging data between different systems, such as EDI (Electronic Data Interchange).