When to use .hdb** files

Hello there,

I've done a quick research but haven't found any answers to my following question -- so therefore I do hope that this isn't a duplicate.

First things first: it might be important to mention that I'm using the HANA Cloud trial right now which may mean that some things are quite different by definition. And: My questions are from the (application) developer perspective and -- I guess -- my questions are not about non-native but native applications i.e. using the HANA XS.

To me, there are three main options to create artifacts:

1. via an SQL Statement
2. via the HANA Studio
3. via hdbdd files

but I cannot figure out in which scenario one would use which option.

• If one has given data within HANA already, is there any use for hdb** files?
• Is it legit to use hdb** files to tell an app about the structure of the needed artifacts?
• Given non-native Applications: is there any use for hdb**?

Or more general: when to use .hdb** files?

At the moment I cannot grasp the use of .hdb** files but it feels like I'm missing a really good idea.

Thanks a lot

greetings

Philipp Pfeiffer