Prefer Table Expression itab[ ... ] over READ TABLE

WarningClean ABAP & Modern SyntaxQuickFix Ready#EC PREF_TAB_EXPRRemote Enabled

Overview

Prefer table expression itab[ ... ] over READ TABLE.

ATC Finding Message: Prefer table expression itab[ ... ] over READ TABLE

Rationale

READ TABLE requires a separate work area or field symbol plus a sy-subrc check, which spreads a simple row lookup across several statements. Table expressions return the row directly and can be nested inside VALUE, COND, and method calls. Use OPTIONAL or DEFAULT when a missing row is valid, and catch CX_SY_ITAB_LINE_NOT_FOUND when absence is an error.

Non-Compliant

READ TABLE lt_orders INTO ls_order WITH KEY order_id = lv_id.
READ TABLE lt_orders ASSIGNING <ls_order> INDEX 1.

Compliant

ls_order = VALUE #( lt_orders[ order_id = lv_id ] OPTIONAL ).
ASSIGN lt_orders[ 1 ] TO <ls_order>.

Automated QuickFix

This rule provides an automated QuickFix directly in Eclipse ABAP Development Tools (ADT):

1. Position the cursor on the flagged statement.
2. Press Ctrl + 1 (Quick Assist).
3. Select the automated refactoring to apply the clean syntax immediately.

Configuration & Thresholds

This check can be fine-tuned directly in the ATC Check Variant Editor (CHKV) in Eclipse ADT:

Parameter Name	Data Type	Default Value
USE_OPTIONAL	Boolean	true

Suppression

To suppress findings for this rule, append the pseudo-comment to the statement:

" Standard pseudo-comment:
... "#EC PREF_TAB_EXPR

" SAP CI_ prefix format:
... "#EC CI_PREF_TAB_EXPR

Technical Details

• Native ATC Class: ZCL_SKYLINT_PREF_TAB_EXPR
• Implementation File: zcl_skylint_pref_tab_expr.clas.abap