Database Reference
In-Depth Information
ABAP is highly reminiscent of the programming languages COBOL and Pascal, especially in
its reporting aspects. However, ABAP is quite different from typical third-generation languages
(3GLs) and fourth-generation languages (4GLs) in that it is a language, as well as a full-featured
client/server development environment, consisting of the ABAP Development Workbench and
R/3 Basis functionality (now taken over by NetWeaver).
The essential characteristics of the ABAP environment are
◾
It is a fourth-generation language based on structured programming methodologies; espe-
cially in its reporting aspects, it has a COBOL-like flavor.
◾
It is an event-driven language, especially in its dialog programming aspects, which are cen-
tral to the SAP system.
◾
It is an interpretative language; this makes possible prototyping of applications.
◾
It is an integrated, full-featured development environment including a data dictionary, data
modeling tools, program editors, screen and menu painters, and testing and debugging tools
and provides ready navigation between all these objects.
◾
It is open and portable because of the portability and open programming interfaces provided
by the SAP system.
◾
It provides modularization by using reusable subroutines and function modules from a cen-
trally managed library.
◾
It provides extensive data manipulation functions such as dates, strings, and floating-point
numbers.
◾
It supports multilingual text elements including labels and messages.
◾
It contains a set of standard SQL statements for transparent access to any of the underlying
standard databases such as Oracle, DB2, and Informix.
The programs developed in ABAP can run without customization effort on any operating system,
graphical user interface, database management system, network interface, and so forth, in both
centralized and decentralized client/server environments.
Especially with the introduction of ABAP Objects, ABAP is no longer a fourth-generation
language alone. In a later section, we get familiarized with the concept of object orientation and
its significance for the future of all software application environments.
11.1.2 ABAP Development Workbench
ABAP Development Workbench is a full-fledged development environment for developing
enterprise-wide client/server applications. It supports the entire software development life cycle
(SDLC) from data definition, user interface design, processing logic, reporting, testing and debug-
ging, and documentation to management of the work-in-process (WIP) programming effort. It
provides a sophisticated metadata-management environment called ABAP data dictionary, as well
as a library of reusable executable functions. It is the centralized place for development and organi-
zation of all components required for a software project. All Workbench objects must be generated
to become active in the runtime system.
All development objects of the ABAP Development Workbench, such as data and process
models, ABAP dictionary, reports, dynpro, function module libraries, and authorization objects,
are stored in the ABAP repository. The Repository Information System is fully integrated with the
entire Development Workbench. The Repository Information System allows searching and sorting
of various objects using various criteria. It also provides an extensive
where-used
list, giving all the
