Dive into the heart of SAP systems! Uncover the fundamentals of SAP ABAP, the robust programming language that powers key business processes and solutions.
In the 1980s, SAP developed ABAP for SAP R/2 with the expectation that its customers would use it to improve SAP software. Originally developed for use on mainframes, ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming) is a descendant of COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language). Although ABAP has been updated to work with client-server technology, it still retains many features of SAP R/2 in SAP R/3 and later versions.
Although ABAP allowed users to design their reports and interfaces, the language was originally designed by programmers. Technical customers and developers then developed SAP R/2, R/3, ECC and S/4HANA ERP Software products using the ABAP programming language.
Many of the SAP applications are written in ABAP. Originally, ABAP was a completely procedural language, but now it includes object-oriented features. SAP Systems' NetWeaver ABAP platform is the only commercially available ABAP application server, while programmers and developers make up the majority of an organization's ABAP language knowledge. Developers use and run ABAP code on the SAP NetWeaver ABAP platform and application server.
In certain companies, the line between SAP Basis administrators and ABAP developers is blurry at best. Some Basis administrators and ABAP programmers also have working knowledge of the language. However, in most SAP organizations, Basis and ABAP programming continue to operate as two distinct but related domains of expertise.
SAP ABAP Workbench
SAP ERP system developers use SAP ABAP Workbench as a set of tools for writing various applications in the ABAP programming language. The various components of the Workbench work by design to operate together seamlessly.
The main features of Workbench and ABAP development tools are as follows:
- Channels are easily shared between servers.
- Information integration makes it easier to share code and improvements across different platforms.
- It allows remote functional calls to allow interaction with external applications.
- It also communicates with programs on the computer's desktop.
- All phases of the software development process benefit from the use of Workbench tools.
- Workbench provides users with Functional Designer, Debugger, Object Navigator and Screen Painter for coding in ABAP language.
- A developer has the ability to create, test and execute ABAP programs in the SAP system with the help of this graphical programming environment.
- There are four different categories in the ABAP Workbench menu: Overview, Development, Testing, Utilities.
Advanced Business Application Programming Workbench functionality includes:
- When working in ABAP programs, developers take advantage of the built-in ABAP Workbench tools by simply double-clicking an object to launch the corresponding tool.
- The ABAP Workbench is where developers create and modify various ABAP objects and development packages, including reports, transactions, function modules, screens, menus, etc.
- Developers use ABAP code to create applications, debug them, analyze their performance, manipulate ABAP managed database procedures and database objects, create menus, and so on.
ABAP Workbench includes the following essential ABAP development tools for ABAP programs:
- ABAP Dictionary: One of the most important components of the toolbox is the ABAP dictionary, which helps in efficient table management via SE11 code. The ABAP Dictionary is vital for anyone focusing on SAP systems.
- Editor for ABAP: An integral part of ABAP Workbench, the editor program for modifying ABAP code is the platform on which developers build their logic and draft and review code.
- Object Navigator: At the heart of ABAP Workbench, Object Navigator unifies all other tools and provides a productive environment for writing code. Helps create a unified environment for various programming tasks. Due to its user-friendly interface, it is the ideal program for creating complex applications with multiple displays and function modules.
- The function builder: Just like the ABAP Editor, this gives developers access to all standard SAP modules. However, its main use is in defining certain activities that other applications can access.
- Screen Painter: Developers use Screen Painter to help build the ABAP objects in the ABAP Dictionary (views, SAP database tables, etc.).
- Menu Painter: Menu Painter is a tool for building program interfaces. Developers use it to generate buttons, menu bar, icons and other features or modify user predefined menus. Additionally, developers can specify things like whether a double mouse click or an Enter key press should initiate a menu event.
- Class Builder: Just like a Function Builder helps you create functions, a class builder helps you create ABAP objects of a specific type.
Reasons to use SAP ABAP in your company
SAP's success in attracting millions of users around the world is largely due to the fact that its design is for running distributed applications. As a result of the adaptability of ABAP code and ABAP programs, SAP applications in an SAP system have the ability to combine data from many different databases to better serve their users.
The shortage of competent ABAP programmers makes it difficult for many companies around the world to fill open positions for ABAP consultants. ABAP developers must constantly expand their understanding of new technologies to stay current in their field, which means their days are always full of new problems to solve.
Some of the benefits of working with SAP ABAP development tools and ABAP programs include:
- It's all about numbers and procedures: Today's business and technology sectors rely heavily on data. In turn, data requires maintenance processes and applications. Creating reliable means of understanding, managing, planning and analyzing data is crucial. For example, automating electronic communications with your suppliers requires supplier master data.
- The possibilities are endless: In their specialized ABAP role, developers can have the opportunity to learn all the nuances of how pre-built SAP applications work. Additionally, many basic apps are significantly adaptable to your specific needs. New applications can also be created from scratch to perform new business procedures.
These developers are typically endowed with great room for maneuver and potential. What may seem obvious to them is not necessarily obvious to those working in other areas of IT, giving ABAP developers an advantage in terms of personal growth and the opportunity to make a real difference through their work.
- The learning curve for ABAP programming is at the lowest level: Developers can download the IDE, runtime and many tutorials without paying a penny. If they have decided to learn ABAP, there is no need to doubt when to start. Developers can start learning at any time or whenever they want.
- The SAP community is welcoming: People from diverse walks of life make up the SAP community and welcome new members online all the time. There are countless options for social interaction, information exchange and creative output in the form of blogs, tutorials and discussion forums available as online resources.
- It's a great CV and professional skill item: As a result, SAP counts several of the world's most recognized brands among its clientele. There is still a significant demand in today's professional world for technically competent ABAP programming developers who will contribute to the long-term success of all types of businesses. Talent is highly sought after and its professionals are generally well paid.
A large number of consulting and development partners around the world support SAP's many satisfied customers. Currently, there is also a wide range of job opportunities available for this niche.
SAP Java vs SAP ABAP
As mentioned earlier, one of the two main languages used to build SAP applications is SAP ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming). This language is SAP's version of traditional systems administration, while the other main language in use is Java.
There are many important differences between SAP Java and SAP ABAP that development teams need to understand, including:
- Java is widely used in IT as a key player in many open source projects. All SAP business applications, whether hosted or installed locally, use ABAP.
- Java is the preferred language for portals, integration solutions, collaboration scenarios, and SAP products.
- Thanks to ABAP's lifecycle management capabilities, companies manage their IT landscapes with scalability and reliability.
- SAP portals are typically hosted on Internet/web applications written in Java Server Pages (JSP) and Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB). They also require a Java Stack to function. When an application runs on the Java Stack, it uses Java Threads.
Working with BairesDev on SAP projects
SAP ABAP allows adaptation to the specific needs of each company through a wide range of configuration options. This opens up a fascinating new opportunity for companies to hire an expert who can bridge the gap between standard and desired levels of software performance. Working with an outsourcing provider is a great way to reap the benefits of this without breaking the bank.
Companies must consider several aspects and pros and cons when choosing an outsourcing provider. Gaining the ability to create, support, and update solutions while navigating complicated SAP scenarios efficiently and reasonably is among the most crucial. By opting for outsourcing, companies can focus on managing their operations with the assurance that a properly chosen SAP outsourcing partner will proactively take care of their complicated IT requirements. Over time, they will have the ability to address both day-to-day software challenges and the bigger picture of your company's digital transformation.
Problems faced by SAP users when using ABAP
Although programmers generally find ABAP intuitive, it presents significant challenges for SAP users with less technical experience. Among the difficulties are the following:
- Time to market and efficiency: Learning to code in ABAP is a time-consuming process that requires specialized knowledge. The slower speed at which ABAP customizations are typically delivered discourages business stakeholders and delays time to market. Depending on the company's needs, this could cause delays that cost money and reputation.
- Low Return on Investment (ROI): SAP customers rely heavily on the ABAP system due to its vital role in every business. Its complexity is well known in the industry. Professionals with experience in ABAP are highly sought after, but scarce. Therefore, they have the freedom to charge exorbitant salaries. Because of this, they can significantly change the total cost of ownership (TCO) of your enterprise software.
- Delay in updates: The SAP environments of the vast majority of companies are highly customized using ABAP. Whenever a patch, service pack, or enhancement package requires applications for SAP ERP, they require more time and effort if there are more non-core custom items.
- Dead or unnecessary ABAP code: Many redundant lines of code remain after an upgrade of a system, such as R/3 to ECC and to S/4HANA, even though they should have been eliminated a long time ago. Since technical debt increases SAP's overall maintenance costs, this doesn't help matters.
What makes a good SAP outsourcing partner?
Companies must consider many factors when deciding on an outsourcing partner for SAP projects. However, when it comes to SAP specifically, decision makers should try to focus on experience over anything else. Companies should choose a vendor with proven experience working with the relevant technology. Teams should strive to find an experienced SAP programmer or programming team with the skills needed to adapt to new features and stay up to date with the platform. Potential partners must demonstrate their ability to perform individualized configuration audits to evaluate and improve processes such as project management and data migration.
Companies benefit greatly from working with companies that offer independent testing. This approach is more likely to result in a successful and profitable outcome than solutions that rely on additional outsourcing of certain work. An SAP outsourcing partner must bring more to the table than simply knowledge and must fit in well with the rest of the company. SAP software can affect every part of a business, meaning approaches require tailoring to your specific requirements rather than relying on generic optimization techniques.
An outsourced SAP development team must demonstrate knowledge of and readiness to investigate the unique goals, values, requirements, and interdepartmental dynamics of your hiring organization. An SAP partner acts as an intermediary between an IT department and the organization's various teams. Therefore, the SAP experts you choose must fit well with your company culture. Companies should strive to choose someone who shares their enthusiasm for development and who is comfortable imparting their knowledge to team members with non-information technology backgrounds.
Hiring companies should also verify achievements. No doubt some names of certificates and accreditations come up as you research potential SAP partners. This assures the hiring organization that the partners it is considering have received extensive, recognized training and have achieved a level of excellence above and beyond the norm.
The majority of these certificates are from SAP, which offers exams and certifications for its various products at the associate, expert and professional levels. Companies should take a look at the options and focus on those that would be most useful for their company. Business owners must also continually consider the long term. Even if you initially only look for partners with experience in one or two sectors, your needs will likely expand as your company does. A true team or developer of SAP experts must have the ability to handle the future support required.
A good SAP partner provides operational support for all SAP modules and integration support for all supported applications. They must have experience in developing custom HCP extensions and developing newer, business-friendly software. The ideal outsourcing partner or developer is also knowledgeable about the latest version of SAP, which makes them able to discuss and offer useful improvements. They should know which updates are best suited for their company and implement them accordingly. To assess your company's launch readiness, the outsourcer must generate detailed reports based on internal SAP launch review notes for the selected solutions. This report should generally highlight the company's productivity and adaptability, as these characteristics are most likely to impress the reader.
Companies should choose a vendor who is confident in their team's ability to create implementation plans for each update, including the specific actions each department must take before anything goes live. If the company takes this preventive measure, it will hopefully not have to fix any issues after the update is available to its co-workers and customers. Developers or outsourcing vendors can list their skills and submit a proposal if they have the opportunity, but it is up to the hiring company to ensure their claims match your expectations. It is important that the hiring company also shares its vision for the company's future, whether long-term goals or short-term plans. Even if their work doesn't initially seem like a SAP fit, there are probably solutions and application support every step of the way.
Source: BairesDev