When using the SPLIT statement, what is the primary requirement for the input string?

The primary requirement for the input string when using the SPLIT statement is that it must be a character string. The SPLIT statement is designed to divide a character string into substrings based on a specified delimiter. This operation inherently requires the input to be a character string; if the data were in a different format, such as numeric or a function module, it would not be appropriate for the SPLIT statement.

In practice, the SPLIT statement allows you to separate a string into meaningful parts, making it ideal for processing text-based data—like parsing a sentence or extracting values from a formatted input. The output of this operation would typically be stored in a table or individual variables for further manipulation in the ABAP program.

Other options like numeric values, function modules, or localized text do not meet the requirements of the SPLIT statement. While localized text can be a character string, it’s the form and format of the entire input that is essential in determining the proper use of SPLIT. Thus, recognizing that the input must solely be a character string is crucial for correctly implementing and utilizing this statement in ABAP.