Static Constructor

The static constructor is a special static method and is always named CLASS_CONSTRUCTOR. The static constructor is executed only once per program.

The static constructor is called by the system automatically before the class is first accessed and before the first execution of the following actions:

• When an instance of the class (CREATE OBJECT) is created.
• When a static attribute of the class is accessed.
• When a static method of the class is called.
• When an event handler method for an event in the class is being registered.

When you define static constructors, always consider the following points:

• Each class does not have more than one static constructor.
• The static constructor must be defined in the public area.
• The static constructor does not have any parameters or exceptions.
• The static constructor cannot be called explicitly.

Self-Reference

In some cases, you must also have a self-reference available. In ABAP Objects, self-references are always predefined, but they are only useful and syntactically available in certain contexts.

You can address an object itself by using the predefined reference variable ME within its instance methods. You are not required to use me-> as a prefix in such cases, but you can use it to improve readability.

However, you must use the prefix me-> when distinguishing between local data objects and instance attributes with the same name.

An important use of self reference is when you call a foreign method and a client object is required to export a reference to itself, you can then use ME as an actual parameter with EXPORTING or CHANGING.