# ALE，EDI & IDocs 簡介&差異：SAP 教程 > 原文： [https://www.guru99.com/what-is-edi-ale-and-idoc.html](https://www.guru99.com/what-is-edi-ale-and-idoc.html) EDI, stands for Electronic Data Interchange, is the electronic exchange of structured business data between different applications.**EDI Architecture**  EDI Architecture consists of - 1. **支持 EDI 的應用程序**：它們支持自動處理業務交易。 2. **IDoc 接口**：設計為開放接口。 IDoc 接口由 IDoc 類型和功能模塊組成，這些類型和功能模塊構成了到應用程序的接口。 3. **EDI 子系統**：這將 IDoc 類型轉換為 EDI 消息類型，反之亦然。 EDI 體系結構的此組件不是 SAP 提供的。 **Advantages of EDI process** * 減少數據輸入錯誤 * 減少處理周期時間 * 數據電子表格的可用性 * 減少文書工作 * 降低成本 * 減少庫存并更好地計劃 * 交流的標準方式 * 更好的業務流程 * 競爭優勢 ## 什么是 ALE？ ALE supports the distribution of the business functions and process across loosely coupled SAP R/3 systems (different versions of SAP R/3). Connections from R/2 and non SAP systems is also supported.ALE supports- * 在不同版本的 R / 3 系統之間分配應用程序 * 版本升級后，無需特殊維護即可繼續進行數據交換 * 客戶特定的擴展。 * 允許連接到非 SAP 系統的通信接口。 * R / 3 和 R / 2 系統的耦合。 ## ALE 和 EDI 之間的區別？ ALE is used to support distributed yet integrated processes across several SAP systems whereas EDI is used for the exchange of business documents between the systems of business partners (could be non-SAP systems)**ALE is SAP's technology for supporting a distributed environment whereas EDI is a process used for exchange of business documents which now have been given a standard format**Both ALE and EDI require data exchange. **An Idoc is a data container which is used for data exchange by both EDI and ALE processes.** ## 什么是 IDOC？ IDOC is **simply a data container** used to exchange information between any two processes that can understand the syntax and semantics of the data.In simple words , an idoc is like a data file with a specified format which is exchanged between 2 systems which know how to interpret that data.IDOC stands for " **Intermediate Document"**When we execute an **outbound** ALE or EDI Process, an IDOC is created.In an **inbound** ALE or EDI process, an IDOC serves as input to create an application document.In the SAP System, IDOCs are stored in database.Every IDOC has an **unique number**(within a client).IDOCs are based on EDI standards, ANSI ASC X12 and **EDIFACT**. In case of any conflict in data size, it adopts one with greater length. IDOCs are **independent of the direction of data exchange** e.g. ORDERS01 : Purchasing module : Inbound and Outbound.IDOCs can be viewed in a **text editor**. Data is stored in character format instead of binary format.IDOCs are **independent of the sending and receiving systems**.(SAP-to-SAP as well as Non-SAP)