SAP ABAP
SAP ABAP is SAP's proprietary programming language for developing customer-specific applications, enhancements and interfaces. ABAP stands for Advanced Business Application Programming.
Introduction – What is ABAP?
SAP ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming) is SAP's proprietary programming language developed in the 1980s. Companies use ABAP to extend SAP standard software as required and adapt it to their own individual needs. ABAP is a 4GL (Fourth-Generation Language) language that was developed specifically for processing large amounts of business data.
Basics of ABAP programming
Put simply, SAP ABAP is based on a mixture of step-by-step instructions (procedural) and building blocks that can be reused (object-oriented). The syntax is similar to other programming languages, but has special functions that are specifically tailored to the business context. While older programmes were written procedurally, modern ABAP development uses object-oriented approaches to enable reusable and modular applications. Code is written in the ABAP Workbench or in the successor development environment ‘ABAP in Eclipse’ (ADT – ABAP Development Tools).
ABAP in SAP S/4HANA
ABAP has evolved with SAP S/4HANA. The new environment relies on the RESTful ABAP Programming Model (RAP) for modern cloud and Fiori applications. Despite new technologies, ABAP remains backward compatible, so existing programmes can continue to run.
Conclusion
ABAP remains a central programming language for SAP applications. It combines classic business process development with modern cloud technologies and enables tailor-made solutions for companies.
