difference b/w temp-tables and buffers

[hima]

In what situations we need to decide we have to use buffers and temp-tables?In what situations we need to decide we have to use buffers and temp-tables?

 

[TomBascom]

When you need to access data.

 

[RealHeavyDude]

You may consider Temp-Tables and database tables as physical storage. The difference between them is that Temp-Tables only exist in the client's memory whereas database tables obviously are stored in the database on disk. A buffer is an object that gives you access to either a Temp-Table or a database table. In a Progress ABL program you will always reference a buffer and there are different statements to transport the data from a table into a buffer and vice versa. As a Temp-Table and a database table always comes with a default buffer associated with it that has the same name many ABL developers do not distinguish between a buffer and a table ...

I always recommend to use defined buffers instead of the default ones because it makes it a lot easier to cope with buffer and transaction scope - which is fundamental to any ABL program that updates a database.

Therefore I recommend you to make yourself familiar with the concept of buffer and transaction scope in order to be able to decide when to user the default buffer or a defined one.

Heavy Regards, RealHeavyDude.