Difference between hdbtable/ hdbcds/ cds? Issues with hdbcds and cds table creation.

[BenedictV]

1. I am trying to create a table using '.hdbcds' format, but I get the following error. The plugin is defined in the '.hdiconfig' file though.

   Preparing the make transaction... 
   Adding "src/TABLE_LIST_COPY.hdbcds" for deploy... 
   Preparing the make transaction... ok  (0s 52ms)
   Error: "src/TABLE_LIST_COPY.hdbcds": could not create a compile unit for the file [8211714]
     at "src/TABLE_LIST_COPY.hdbcds" (0:0)
   Error: Could not find the "com.sap.hana.di.cds" build plugin [8210501]
   Error: Adding "src/TABLE_LIST_COPY.hdbcds" for deploy... failed [8211700]
   Error: Preparing... failed [8211602]

I understand the way forward is to use '.hdbtable' and '.cds' - https://answers.sap.com/questions/11774162/difference-between-cds-type-hdbdd-and-hana-type-hd.html, but can we no longer use '.hdbcds'?

2. While I use the '.cds' format. I see the generated '.hdbtable' definition in the gen folder, but no table is created under my container schema. How do I create a table using the '.cds' format?

namespace test.db;
entity Tables{
    key schemaname  : String(20);
    key hanatable   : String(100);
        virtualtable: String(100);
        srctable    : String(100);
};

[gregorw]

Please provide information what HANA DB you are using. Also it would help if you share a sample project showing your issue in a public Git repository.

[BenedictV]

Hi gregor.wolf, We are using HANA on SCP. I will create a dummy project to replicate the error and share the git link with you.

[gregorw · Accepted solution]

If you use SAP HANA Cloud you don't need to provide a sample project. SAP HANA Cloud does not support hdbcds. Check out also the CAP documentation: Enhance Project Configuration for SAP HANA Cloud.

[BenedictV · Accepted solution]

Thank you Gregor. But I don't understand why the .cds definition does not create a table even though I see the generated '.hdbtable' definition in the gen folder. Is an annotation like @cds.persistence.table compulsory? I don't see that in tutorials I came across.

I still have a lot to learn on this 🙂

[gregorw · Accepted solution]

To find a solution for the issue that the table isn't created in HANA you should provide a sample project.