Core Data Services CDS in SAP CAPM What Every Developer Must Know
Posted on August 8, 2025 by Laeeq Siddique
Introduction:
What is Core Data Services (CDS)?
Core Data Services (CDS) is the base modelling layer for SAP. It lets developers create and use semantically rich data models. CDS gives you the structure and logic you need to speed up development, enforce standards, and support scalable design, whether you’re working in SAP HANA, ABAP RAP, or the SAP Cloud Application Programming Model (CAPM).
We are experts in SAP Custom Development at Cremencing.com. We assist clients use CAPM-based solutions with effective CDS modelling. This blog post is the first in our CAPM series. It gives you a basic overview of CDS, including its structure, types, and how it works in the real world in the SAP environment.
Key Takeaways
- Core Data Services (CDS) lets you build models and declare things in SAP.
- It works perfectly with SAP CAPM, HANA, ABAP RAP, and SAP BTP
- CDS works with several different notations to make it easier to use with different services and databases.
The first part of the series is about CDL (Definition Language) and CSN (Schema Notation)
What does SAP CAPM mean?
The SAP Cloud Application Programming Model (CAPM) is a set of rules that makes it easier and faster to build business apps. It helps developers follow best practices by using built-in tools and services that make things more consistent and scalable.
| Feature | Description |
| Framework | Full-stack application development |
| Core Tools | CDS, Node.js SDK, Java SDK, CAP CLI |
| Primary Use Cases | SAP BTP, SAP Fiori, SAP UI5, APIs, and Event-driven apps |
| Supported Languages | JavaScript/TypeScript, Java |
| Deployment Targets | SAP HANA, SQLite, PostgreSQL, SAP BTP Cloud Foundry/Kyma |
CAPM’s foundation is Core Data Services (CDS), which serves as the universal modeling language for defining domain models, service layers, and data logic.
What is the purpose of Core Data Services (CDS)?
SAP’s Core Data Services (CDS) is a domain-specific language that lets you declaratively design data models and service interfaces. It provides consistency, reusability, and semantic richness, which makes it easy to integrate with other SAP systems.
Why CDS is Important:
- Allows for centralized data modelling across different SAP platforms.
- Allows for complicated relationships and notes.
- Makes development easier by hiding database logic.
- Changes models into SQL, OData, OpenAPI, and NoSQL forms.
CDS models work on any platform and are best for both on-premise and cloud-based apps.
7 Must-Know Facts About CDS for ABAP, CAPM, and HANA
- CDS works with any language; therefore, it can be used in Node.js, Java, and ABAP.
- Modelling is easy and clear with Definition Language (CDL).
- CSN, or Core Schema Notation, makes it possible to move schemas that are based on JSON.
- CDS annotations are what make UI metadata work for SAP Fiori and UI5.
- CDS works very well with SAP Data Sphere and Analytics Cloud.
- Allows for cloud-native, multi-tenant, and expandable apps.
- CDS can provide runtime logic for custom services and APIs on the fly.
Types of Core Data Services (CDS) Languages and Notations
SAP CDS supports five types of modeling notations:
| Notation | Purpose |
| CDL (Core Definition Language) | Human-readable syntax for defining models, views, services |
| CSN (Core Schema Notation) | JSON representation used at runtime and for tooling |
| CQL (Core Query Language) | SQL-like syntax to query CDS models |
| CQN (Core Query Notation) | Object-style notation for queries |
| CXN (Core Expression Notation) | Expression handling for logic inside models |
Definition Language (CDL)
CDL is the easiest way to model CDS services and organizations.
Key Components of CDL:
- Entities are the main business objects.
- Views—virtual data projections
- Associations are the links between things.
- Aspects—traits and areas that can be used again
- Endpoints and contracts are examples of service definitions.
Example CDL:
Entity Customer { ID: UUID; name: String; city: String; orders: Association to many Order on orders. customer = $self;
CDL is easy to understand and maintain, and it’s great for developers and domain specialists to work together.
Core Schema Notation (CSN)
CSN is the format that computers can read for CDS models. It has a JSON structure and is processed at runtime in a dynamic way.
The main benefits of CSN are:
- Services and compilers can easily read it.
- Perfect for making OData, SQL, OpenAPI, and other things
- Allows for the creation and understanding of runtime models
- Used by SAP’s development environment and CAP tools
CSN models are short and don’t need many other things to work, which makes them perfect for cloud-native microservices.
Latest CDS Updates (As of 2025)
| Date | Highlights |
| June 2025 | Improved CAP Java support, persistent draft messaging, runtime tweaks |
| May 2025 | CAP Node.js v9, Java v4, end-of-life for older HDB and deprecated formats |
| March 2025 | Standalone TypeScript typings, enhanced multi-DB support |
| Feb 2025 | CDS v9 major release: semantic precision, performance, TypeScript boost |
External Resources for Learning CDS
- SAP CAP Official Docs
- CDS for Beginners – Medium Blog
- ABAP CDS Training on Udemy
- Writable CDS View in ABAP Example
Internal Resource: Custom Development for SAP
We help businesses create, add to, and keep up SAP applications with strong custom development. Our services include everything from full-stack CAPM implementations to CDS-based UI5 apps.
- Making CDS and CAPM Services
- Integration of Custom OData and OpenAPI
- Modelling SAP UI5 and CDS Annotations
- Designing ABAP CDS Views for S/4HANA
Go to: SAP Custom Development by Cremencing
Conclusion
Core Data Services (CDS) is no longer something you can choose to do; it’s something you have to do. CDS gives you the modelling power and flexibility you need to succeed, whether you’re developing new apps on SAP BTP, improving old ABAP systems, or updating S Kes/4HANA with UI5 and CAPM.
CDS helps developers focus on business logic instead of database complexity by providing abstraction and semantic precision from CDL to CSN.
In the upcoming blog post (Part 2), we’ll talk about CDS Query Language (CQL), CQN, and CXN, and we’ll also show you how to use CAPM with CDS-based service definitions in a showcase project.
Call To Action:
Cremencing Solutions can help you upgrade your SAP landscape or create custom apps using CDS and CAPM.
We are experts in:
- SAP Custom Development
- Modelling Services and Data with CDS
- Full CAPM Implementations
Get in touch with us today to speed up your digital transformation with SAP solutions that are trustworthy and can grow with your business.
To get started, go to our Custom Development page or get in touch with us.
FAQs
What does CDS mean in SAP CAPM?
CDS is a modelling framework in SAP CAPM that lets you define entities, views, and service definitions. It helps standardize application logic and promotes declarative development.
What does the CAPM model do in SAP?
The SAP Cloud Application Programming Model is what CAPM stands for. It is a framework for development that includes libraries, tools, and runtimes for making full-stack SAP apps.
What are Core Data Services (CDS)?
SAP uses CDS to define semantically rich and reusable data models that can be used in systems like ABAP, SAP HANA, and CAPM.
What does SAP mean by CDS?
In SAP, a CDS (Core Data Service) is an organized way of looking at database models. It makes it easier to get to, easier to read, and works with UI5, OData, and other tools.