What is the use of * before the field name in ABAP statement.

Hi experts,

in ABAP statements can we write the logic as mentioned below. In my program there is a statement before the field they have mentioned ' * '.

  vbak-kkber NE *vbak-kkber OR
           vbak-knkli NE *vbak-knkli.

Cheers,

Sravan