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ABAP Development Tools for the Modern SAP
SAP’s four-decade-old ABAP programming language has stayed relevant through the waves of change. SAP has enabled this by its investment in improving the ABAP development toolset to meet changing demands.
ABAP development tools are the integrated development environment (IDE) for ABAP development on the open Eclipse platform. It enables SAP developers to do the following:
- Build, extend, and run ABAP applications on SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) to extend SAP products
- Access SAP BTP services such as integration, machine learning, streaming, and Internet of Things (IoT).
What Is New with ABAP Development Tools?
Different deployment options are now available for the ABAP platform: in the cloud with SAP BTP, ABAP environment trial, on-premise with the Developer Edition, or a virtual appliance in the SAP Cloud Appliance Library (CAL).
As part of SAP BTP, these ABAP environments provide the modern ABAP RESTful Application Programming Model (RAP), leveraging SAP HANA, SAP Fiori, and a cloud-optimized ABAP language with a clear set of released standard APIs. Developers can utilize a development toolset that enables tight integration with Git-enabled lifecycle management that includes ABAP editors, dictionary, UI painters, function, class, and web app builders.
ABAP Development Tools for the Modern SAP
SAP’s four-decade-old ABAP programming language has stayed relevant through the waves of change. SAP has enabled this by its investment in improving the ABAP development toolset to meet changing demands.
ABAP development tools are the integrated development environment (IDE) for ABAP development on the open Eclipse platform. It enables SAP developers to do the following:
- Build, extend, and run ABAP applications on SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) to extend SAP products
- Access SAP BTP services such as integration, machine learning, streaming, and Internet of Things (IoT).
What Is New with ABAP Development Tools?
Different deployment options are now available for the ABAP platform: in the cloud with SAP BTP, ABAP environment trial, on-premise with the Developer Edition, or a virtual appliance in the SAP Cloud Appliance Library (CAL).
As part of SAP BTP, these ABAP environments provide the modern ABAP RESTful Application Programming Model (RAP), leveraging SAP HANA, SAP Fiori, and a cloud-optimized ABAP language with a clear set of released standard APIs. Developers can utilize a development toolset that enables tight integration with Git-enabled lifecycle management that includes ABAP editors, dictionary, UI painters, function, class, and web app builders.
There are key features available today to help SAP customers moving to SAP S/4HANA or the Cloud.
- ABAP tools can help migrate custom code from an SAP Business System to SAP S/4HANA or to the SAP BTP, ABAP environment.
- SAP Fiori App Custom Code Migration can analyze ABAP custom code for SAP S/4HANA or Cloud readiness and present ways to migrate with speed and quality.
- Mass Quick Fixes in ABAP development tools in Eclipse provide automation to significantly reduce custom code adaptation time and costs.
As of 2021, ABAP development tools are now packaged as part of the ABAP Platform 2021 and run on Eclipse development platform and several additional technology components, which are required to run SAP S/4HANA. SAP also has added new extensibility options to the ABAP platform, increasing the power of creating extensions in the Cloud.
What Does This Mean for ABAP Developers?
With these sophisticated ABAP development tools, ABAP developers have a smarter way to impact software development to meet business needs. ABAP developers, with their expertise in both business processes and ABAP, can play a key role in streamlining processes and deploying new applications.
ABAP developers can also lead the migration of software to SAP S/4HANA or cloud, and influence custom code strategy. The comprehensive ABAP development tools at their disposal can help them be more versatile and impactful in the digital transformation of their organizations.
7 results
Move From Theory to Practice with ABAP Extension ExamplesSep 22, 2021 — By Karl Kessler, Vice President of Product Management, SAP AG Contributing Editor: John Yuva, SAPinsider Within the main article, “Key Considerations for the SAP S/4HANA Cloud ABAP Environment,” we introduced the SAP S/4HANA Cloud ABAP environment. It provides ABAP developers with full ADT access to released SAP S/4HANA Cloud business objects and extension points. In this companion piece, […]
6 minute read
Enhanced Development Tools Delivered with ABAP Platform 1809Feb 27, 2019 — by Karl Kessler, Vice President of Product Management ABAP Platform, SAP SE Version 1809 of the on-premise ABAP platform — released in September 2018 and shipped together with SAP S/4HANA 1809 — delivers a set of notable improvements to the Eclipse-based ABAP development tools, which are tools for enabling rapid, efficient development and […]
7 minute read
Introduction to the ABAP Data Dictionary and Managing Data Dictionary Objects (Chapter 5)Nov 21, 2016 — This sample chapter (chapter 5) from Faisal Altaf’s book, “Introduction to ABAP: A Project-Driven Guide,” is an overview of the ABAP Data Dictionary. The book uses the example of a point of sale project to introduce ABAP. As a current SAP Experts member you can read the eBook (online or download) with no extra charge […]
94 minute read
ABAP Development ChatMay 1, 2017 — In this live chat, insiderBOOKS author Faisal Altaf answered questions on using ABAP in real-world scenarios. If you missed the chat or need a refresher, you may view the chat replay or read the edited transcript below. Meet the panelist: Faisal Altaf Faisal has nine years of experience in IT, seven-and-half years of which have been […]
21 minute read
Making Custom Themes Future Ready Using SAP UI Theme DesignerDec 1, 2017 — Obtain clarity on the steps to follow for applying a custom theme to any SAPUI5/HTML5-based applications both in the cloud and on premise. Learn some best practices for creating custom themes that are future ready and the multiple deployment options of the UI theme designer. Key Concept The UI theme designer is a browser-based tool […]
16 minute read
A Primer for ALV Display with Integrated Data Access for SAP HANAOct 16, 2017 — Learn about the basics and advantages of the Integrated Data Access version of the ABAP List Viewer and the steps required to create simple reports using the standard classes provided for this purpose. See how to access the field catalog and functions and how to specify sort and grouping criteria for your report output. Key […]
12 minute read
Research Findings on ABAP: To Rewrite, Replace or RetireMar 30, 2022 — SAPInsider research studies the trends in ABAP strategy as more companies move to SAP S/4HANA and Cloud. It presents findings on the factors that drive ABAP strategy, whether companies are retiring, rewriting or replacing it with standard functionality, and the challenges such as skills and risks.
1 minute read