How many kinds of internal tables are supported in the ABAP language?

In ABAP, there are three main kinds of internal tables: standard tables, sorted tables, and hashed tables. Each type serves different purposes and has different performance characteristics, making them suitable for various scenarios in data processing.

Standard tables are used when the order of elements is essential, and they allow for duplicate entries. These tables are often used for general data storage where sorting is not a primary concern.

Sorted tables, on the other hand, maintain their entries in a sorted order based on a specified key. This feature allows for efficient searching of elements but does not allow duplicate entries. They are particularly useful when you need to quickly retrieve data.

Hashed tables allow for very fast access to data via unique keys. They do not maintain any specific order and do not support duplicate entries either. Hashed tables are typically used when performance in key-based access is a priority.

Understanding the differences between these three kinds of internal tables helps developers choose the right type for their needs, ensuring efficient data handling within their applications.