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ABAP is a programming language developed by SAP for large-scale business applications. It was originally used for custom reports and interfaces but is now used exclusively by SAP application servers. ABAP manages communication between databases and applications and has report and form-based programs. It is similar to COBOL and Java but keeps all information within the SAP database.
ABAP stands for Advanced Business Application Programming, originally known in German as Allgemeiner Berichts Aufbereitungs Prozessor, or “general reporting processor”. Syntax similar to Common Business Oriented Language (COBOL), it is a computer programming language developed by the German company Systeme, Anwendungen und Produkte in der Datenverarbeitung (SAP®) for large-scale business applications. As a programming language, ABAP is one of many fourth generation languages, or 4GLs, that appeared in the 1980s. A pioneer in the field, the development of the language by SAP® provided the first application of the logical database concept for programming.
In its original incarnation, ABAP was provided to SAP® customers to enable each customer’s information technology (IT) department to use the language to create custom reports and other tools. Each customer could develop their own company interfaces for various SAP® applications. As the computerized and eventually global online business environment progressed in the mid to late 1990s, more SAP® applications and programs used the ABAP language. Today, SAP® application servers use ABAP exclusively.
Other programming languages similar to ABAP include COBOL, Java and some C++ programs. Unlike other programming languages, the Advanced Business Application Programming language keeps all information, including program files, within the SAP® database. Encoding appears in two forms, generated code and source code, with the generated source bearing some resemblance to Java bytecode. The main difference between advanced business application programming language and other languages lies in the way databases within the programming interface. ABAP databases automatically manage all communication between databases and applications, while simultaneously archiving frequently used data for quick retrieval from local storage.
Executable programs written in ABAP are report or module based. Report-based programs return various lists or sets of data based on parameters set by the user. Form-based programs are based on what the user sees on their computer monitor. Non-executable programs written in the advanced business application programming language have several types, but all of them are library code. In other words, non-executable programs are pieces of code that perform certain functions, with each code available for use by other programs, but unable to run independently.
Understanding different programming languages requires a thorough understanding of programming, however, a simple example illustrates the same principles. Most consumers are aware of the operating systems used on personal computers. Programming languages such as ABAP and Java work in the same way as the programming languages used to create programs and applications for various personal computer operating systems. ABAP simply runs on SAP® application servers, a server operating system known as SAP® Basis, intended for large-scale business programs and applications distributed across many servers. Operating systems such as Windows® for PCs and Snow Leopard for Macs provide the same single-machine foundation that SAP® Basis provides for systems with multiple machines and servers.
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