✒️ABAP El lenguaje de programación ABAP

ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming) is a fourth-generation programming language owned by SAP, used for programming in their products such as "SAP ECC" and "SAP S/4HANA." It is high-level, easy to read, and quickly learned.

ABAP is known for its seamless integration into the SAP system. The application software received by the client when acquiring SAP is written in ABAP. It follows a structured programming approach, based on subroutines and three basic structures:

• Sequence: Specifies the order in which instructions should be executed.
• Conditional or Selection Statement: Allows choosing between two instructions based on an evaluation, known as a condition.
• Iteration: Involves repeating an instruction or group of instructions while a condition is met.

ABAP is also an event-driven language, where the sequence of instructions depends on the occurrence of events or actions in the system.

ABAP - History

Developed by SAP in the 1980s as a programming language for creating reports in the SAP R/2 system, it was initially a blend of COBOL and SQL. It continued as the development language for the client-server version of SAP R/3, released in 1992.

In 1999, with the release of R/3 version 4.6, SAP introduced an object-oriented extension named ABAP Objects. While not transforming ABAP into an object-oriented language, it allowed certain functionalities to be developed using OOP.

ABAP - Strengths

• Uses OPEN SQL statements to connect with virtually any database.
• Structured programming language that can also be event-driven and object-oriented.
• Offers numerous functions for handling files, databases, dates, characters, and more.
• Supports RFC connections to link SAP systems with other languages or systems.
• Enables multilingual application development.
• Features robust syntax and semantic language help.
• Facilitates quick and straightforward report generation.

ABAP – Tools

• Data Dictionary (SE11): Manages data definitions used in the SAP system.
• Program Editor (SE38 and SE80): Used for developing ABAP applications or programs within SAP.
• Screen Painter (SE51): Creates graphical user interfaces with various control elements.
• Debugging Environment (Inside - SE38): Provides debugging tools, aiding in programming with features like breakpoints, watchpoints, step-by-step execution, and more.
• Other tools include Menu Painter, Runtime Analysis, Class Builder, Function Builder, etc.

SAP System Modifications

To enable users to adapt the system to their needs, SAP creates spaces within the standard system, allowing users to meet their requirements by adding necessary ABAP code. These spaces are termed Enhancements, expanding or extending the functionalities of the standard system. Key enhancements include:

• Customer Exits (CMOD and SMOD transactions): Spaces SAP provides in the standard system for users to add code for validations and improvements, managing user extensions in the SAP system.
• Field Exits (CMOD transactions and writing PRFB): Also known as field enhancements, they validate data elements associated with SAP screen fields.
• BADIs (Business Add-Ins, SE18 and SE19 transactions): A type of extension to the SAP system using ABAP objects to implement validations and enhancements without modifying the standard code.
• Enhancements (Using transaction SE38): Expansions to SAP's standard code, allowing the addition of specific functionalities.
• Append Structures (from SE11): Objects created to add data or additional configurations to SAP's standard database tables and structures.

SAP Consultants

• Functional Consultant: Specializing in one or more system modules, they assist companies in configuring the SAP system according to their needs.
• SAP Basis Consultant: Managing the SAP environment, handling maintenance, updates, backups, etc., and overseeing the SAP Netweaver operating platform for optimal functioning.
• Technical Consultant: Generally referring to ABAP programmers, also known as ABAPERs, ABAP developers, or ABAP consultants. They develop documentation, provide technical guidance to functional consultants, and perform technical tests, among other tasks.

The Workflow of an ABAP Consultant

Each company has its work methodology, directly affecting how information flows among different hierarchical levels:

• Client Requirement to Functional Consultant: The functional consultant meets with the client, gathers requirements, and evaluates if the system can be parameterized through existing transactions. If possible, they perform this "parameterization" and present it to the client, completing their task. If standard options are insufficient, the Functional and Technical Consultants collaborate.
• Development of Functional Design: The functional consultant creates a functional design, providing ABAPers with details on whether it's a new program or modification, functionalities, interface details, database tables to be used, basic tests, and other documentation. The technical consultant (ABAPER) then develops a Technical Design, including program name, selection screen fields, table access methods, validations, and output file generation methods.
• Development of Technical Design and Programming: After completing the designs, the ABAPER begins programming. Unit tests are performed, and once finished, the functional consultant conducts integral tests rigorously. If successful, the client is informed.