Hi
Indeed your question is more related with the system design and the integration with all the type of orders that exist in the system. If you are working only with PP Orders, you can assume that always have both records in AUFK and AFKO. You can use a well knows view CAUFV that is a join between both tables and have their principal fields.
1. AUFK Is the master header of Orders. In this tables is stored all the Orders that exist in SAP, i mean PP, PM/CS, CO Orders, CO Production Orders, CO Model Orders, PS (WBS and Networks). The field AUTYP describe this stuff.
2. In AFKO is stored info of all the orders that have scheduling, asign of BOM or routing eg PP or PM, or Also CO Production Orders have a record in AUFK not with schedung but with the info of Header qty, Co Cost Calculation key. CO Investment Orders or Expense Oeders dont have records in this table. PS orders have.
3. In order to complicate a bit more, PP Orders have a 3rd table that is some sort of header. The table is AFPO and store the info of The principal material and the CO-Products if exist. This table is the Join to the Appointment tables in CO (COBRA/COBRB). Also store data for batches, Valuation Type if used,
PM Orders could have a record in this table, only in refurbishment. PS also can have a record here.
Nice topic, as Rajen said its a good idea test in order to understand table behaviors and what they are intended for.
Arturo.