Coding Standards

IV.
CODING STANDARDS
General Standards
1. One command per line
Each ABAP/4 command consists of a sentence ending with a period. Multiple commands
can be on one line; however, as a standard start each new command on a new line. This
will allow for easier deleting, commenting, and debugging.
2. Indented source code
The ABAP/4 editor has a "Pretty Printer" command to indent by 2 positions specific lines
of code and add subroutine comments. Event keywords are typically not indented.
DATA: BEGIN OF tab OCCURS 100,
f1 LIKE sg-field1,
f2 LIKE sg-field2,
END OF tab..
DATA: f1 TYPE I,
f2 TYPE I.
START-OF-SELECTION.
GET table.
IF f1 = f2.
f1 = 0.
ELSE.
f1 = 1.
ENDIF.
SELECT * FROM table WHERE
field1 EQ sg-field2 AND

field2 BETWEEN sg-field5 AND sg-field6.
MOVE ...
APPEND ...
ENDSELECT.
END-OF-SELECTION.
LOOP AT tab.
AT NEW f1.
CASE F1.
WHEN ...
WRITE: ...
WHEN ...
WRITE:/ ...
ENDCASE.
ENDAT.
Making Programs and Function Modules Obsolete
Steps to make a program obsolete:
1. Verify that the program is not referenced by any other programs, transactions or dialog
modules that are not obsolete in either the production or development environments.
If it is, notify the person who requested the program to be made obsolete and stop here.
2. Reconcile the development version with the production version, and revert development
to the same version as production if it is different. (Use the Version Management function
to do this). Make sure that the retrieved version can be generated without errors. If
there are errors - return back to the original active version.
3. If you have to go back to the previous version, make sure that any active development
of an object in unreleased requests/transports is saved by releasing the request/transport.
4. If the program is not a function module, go to transaction SE38, and put in the program
name which is to be made obsolete. Click on Attributes, and then click on "Change".
Change the Authorization Group to "ZINACTV0" (the last character is the digit ZERO),
and the Application to "* Cross-Application". Attempt to change the
Development Class to "ZZZ0" (the last character is the digit ZERO).
If you have problems changing the development class, go back to the ABAP editor initial screen.
Click on "Goto" at the top of the screen, and then click on "Object Directory entry" on the
dropdown.
Make the change and save.
5. Send all the information about the program (including by whom & when it was determined
that this program is obsolete) to sap-obsolete-progs@mit.edu . Please be sure to send
your e-mail before releasing the program from SF2.
6. Transport the changes made to SF5 and Production.
Since SAP doesn't let us change the authorization group for one function module, we (MIT) are
using the following six steps in place of step 4 above to make a function module obsolete:
4a. Under ATTRIBUTES tab, change the short text (i.e. one line description) of the function
module to start with the word "Obsolete".
4b. Use the editor function to make all the source code lines of the function module into
comments. (On the PC version of the ABAP editor, you can use Control-A to select
all the code and Control-< to make all the selected code into comments. On the Mac,
click on the first line of code, then click on the Select icon, then click on the last line
of code, then click on the Select icon to select all the code. Then select the menu item
Utilities -> Block/buffer -> Insert comment * to make all the

selected code into comments.)
* NOTE: you cannot comment out the key lines Function/Endfunction.

4c. Insert a comment at the top of the function module source code stating that the function
module is now obsolete.
4d. Put the following ABAP statement in the source code in order to force a short dump
should
someone try to execute the function module:
MESSAGE ID 'ZZ' TYPE 'X' NUMBER '132' WITH 'Function module'

'<name of function module>'.
4e. Use the ABAP Workbench command to mark the function module as obsolete. (Go to
SE37,
type in the function module name and click on the "change" button. Go to the "Attributes"
tab. Select the menu item:
Function module -> Release -> Object obsolete
4f. "Deactivate" the function module so that the system will automatically comment out the
include file for the function module from the function group. (On the first screen of
transaction SE37, Right-Click (on a PC) or Command-Click (on a Mac) to bring up a menu
of commands. Select the "Deactivate" command.)
Here is an example showing steps 4b, 4c & 4d:
FUNCTION Z_INSERT_TR_ACCOUNT .
*********** This function module is OBSOLETE ***********
MESSAGE ID 'ZZ' TYPE 'X' NUMBER '132' WITH

'Function module' 'Z_INSERT_TR_ACCOUNT'.
**"----------------------------------------------------------------
-----
*
**"*"Update function module:
**"
**"*"Local interface:
**" IMPORTING
**" VALUE(TRAV_ACC) LIKE ZTRV1 STRUCTURE ZTRV1
**" EXCEPTIONS
**" INSERT_ERROR
**"----------------------------------------------------------------
-----
*
*
* MOVE-CORRESPONDING TRAV_ACC TO ZTRV1.
* INSERT ZTRV1.
* IF SY-SUBRC <> 0.
* RAISE INSERT_ERROR.
* ENDIF.
ENDFUNCTION.
Guidelines For Deleting Old/Unused ABAP Code
When maintaining a program, new code is written to replace older code. It is usually a good
idea to comment out the code rather than delete it entirely. This serves 2 purposes: it makes
the old code readily available in case there is a problem with the new code, and it serves as
documentation of how the old code used to work. After a while, so much commented-out code
can accumulate that it makes it difficult to read the program - that is, the accumulated
commented-out code can become confusing rather than helpful. (Code that was once active
generally should be carried as commented-out code in at least one transport before it is actually
deleted, but this is not an absolute requirement.)
If, in the judgement of the programmer, the commented-out code is confusing rather than
helpful, the old code may be deleted if ALL of the following four conditions are met:
1. The code to be deleted has been captured in SAP version management as part of a released
transport.
2. You add text to the revision history stating which line numbers in a previous (specified)
released transport you deleted and why you deleted them. It is very desirable that you also
cite the last transport in which these items were active. For example, you might write "Deleted
commented-out code on lines 1570 through 1620 of transport SF2K912345 in order to make
the program easier to read. This code was last active as lines 1232 through 1282 in transport
SF2911678.".
3. The revision history of the program is reasonably complete with good explanations of what
was added or deleted as part of each transport, as well as the functional consequences of that
change (not just a generic comment like "fixed bug" or "added new features"). A revision
history like this should be maintained contemporaneously with changes to the code. If you
acquire maintenance responsibility for a program that is already in production and has
commented-out code which is not described in the revision history, you don't have to
retroactively document the effect of the commented-out code. You do have to add to the
revision history a statement following the example in item 2 (above) and a statement of
whatever you know (or can easily determine) about the intended effect of the commented-out
code that you are deleting.
4. (If applicable) When an algorithm or general approach is changed, comments should be

added near the code for the new algorithm or approach describing:
a. how the new approach differs from the old one
b. the most recent released transport with the old approach
c. the range of line numbers containing the code that implemented the old approach in the
version included in the referenced transport
Authorization Groups
Authorization Groups permit users access to execute report-type programs from transaction
SA38 (or SE38). All MIT-written reports must have an explicit authorization group. There are 3
cases:
• Programs that can be executed by all MIT users must be configured using the
authorization group 'ZOPN2ALL' for Application '*'. This configuration is done by the
developer of the report program in the 'Attributes' screen of SE38 .
• Programs that should only be executed by a restricted set of users should have an
authorization group that is defined to include only that set of users. (In many cases, it
may be desirable for a large set of developers and testers to have that authorization in
SF2, a smaller set to have that authorization in SF5, and an even more restricted set to
have that authorization in production.)
• Some programs have other authorization controls (for example, the program may
provide particular functionality to certain users as determined by the ABAP
"AUTHORITY-CHECK" command or an authorization checking function module), but
other functionality is available to everyone. In that case the program should use the
'ZOPN2ALL ' authorization group in addition to its explicit use of the ABAP
"AUTHORITY-CHECK " command or an authority checking function module.
When choosing an existing authorization group to assign to a program, especially a program

that does not have additional authority checks in the program itself, be sure that the people
who will be using the new program already have access to the authorization group chosen. If
they don't, it is very possible that the authorization group chosen is not appropriate for the
program, as giving them access to the new program would give them access to the other
programs the authorization group controls.
In summary, all MIT-written reports must have an explicit authorization group - either as the
only authorization mechanism or in conjunction with some other authorization mechanism. The
'ZOPN2ALL' authorization group should be used where the intent is to allow everyone in the
community to at least start the program (although another authorization mechanism may be
used to further restrict who can perform particular functions or access particular data).
Authorizations : Usage of SAP objects
For any custom programming using authorization checks, developers must determine whether a
standard SAP authorization object should be used, or if a custom object should be developed.
Since the authorization object implementation typically comprises more business-related than
technical issues, developers should consult with the business analysts responsible for the
application in making this decision.
Restricting Access to HR Data
Because of the sensitivity of HR data, all custom-written programs that access HR data must
restrict who can access the HR data. Four methods to accomplish authorization checks for HR
data are listed below:
1. Use function module HR_READ_INFOTYPE instead of direct SELECT statements when

reading a specific infotype.
2. Use logical database PNP to leverage SAP authorizations (caveat: performance can be
slow)
3. SELECT statements should only be used when the SAP documented data interfaces
which incorporate the SAP authorization checks (Logical Databases, function modules,
and BAPI's) cannot provide the functionality required. If it is necessary to use SELECT's,
then you must perform your own AUTHORITY-CHECK on the data selected.
4. Place a strict authorization group at the program (transaction) level. If a wide variety of
data for a large group of individuals is needed in a single program, then this program
must have a very strict authorization on who can run it (definitely not on any menu
path).
Dates : Output in reports (Year 2000 compliance)
The preferred formats for representing a date in a printed report are either MM/DD/YYYY or DD-
Mon-YYYY(where "MM" is the two-digit number of the month, "DD" is the two-digit number of
the day within the month, "YYYY" is the four-digit year, and "Mon" is the three-letter
abbreviation of the name of the month).
In any case, use of a 4-digit year is a requirement. (The preferred format for dates in input, i.e.
"Feed", files is YYYYMMDD.)
The R/3 system is already year 2000 compliant. To preserve that compliance, whenever a date
is written or read, the year field should contain four digits. The only exception to this standard
is reading from or writing to external files, where the year 2000 restriction in the external
system may be different. However, even in this case, if it is at all possible, it is desirable to
allocate four digits for the year in the file layout.
Interface : Field sizes and layouts in data files
All external file layouts used for files transmitted to and from the R/3 system should be
discussed with and approved by the Infrastructure (formerly Bridges) Team before the layout is
finalized. This is to insure consistency in field conventions and file processing standards. The
requirements for the following data elements are:
• Dates: As indicated in the section "Writing dates in reports," dates should use a 4-digit
year with certain exceptions.
• Cost Objects: Cost objects should be left-aligned in a 12-character field with trailing
blanks. (Optionally, a 7-character field followed by 5 characters of blank filler is
acceptable.
• Cost Elements: Cost elements should be left-aligned in a 10-character field with trailing
blanks. (Optionally, a 6-character field followed by 4 characters of blank filler is
acceptable.
Interface : Dropbox mechanism for file interfaces
The dropbox is the standard method for data providers to automatically deliver files created
outside of SAP as feeds into MIT's SAP R/3 environments. Data providers must be registered
with the dropbox. These providers FTP data files to the dropbox. Based on a combination of file
naming conventions and registered dropbox userids, the files are automatically delivered to the
appropriate MIT SAP R/3 environment.
Detailed documentation on how to use this mechanism is located at

http://mitvma.mit.edu/~bridges/dropbox.html
Interface : Processing Inbound and Outbound Files
What SAP application programmers do to process inbound files
• Call Z_UT_GET_INPUT_FILE_NAME with the filename field from the selection-screen, the
(4-char) provider & the (3-char) feed codes and (optionally) the name of an acceptable
event.
• Call Z_UT_START_OF_INBOUND with the file name (from
Z_UT_GET_INPUT_FILE_NAME).
• Read & process the input file.
• Call Z_UT_END_OF_INBOUND when finished.
More information on processing inbound files (pdf).
What SAP application programmers do to process outbound files
• Call Z_UT_START_OF_OUTBOUND with the (4-char) provider and the (3-char) feed code
to obtain the pathname of your output file.
• Do your processing, write the output file and accummulate control totals.
• Call Z_UT_END_OF_OUTBOUND with the key (in the ZJOBRUN2 table) for the output file
and the contents of the control record.
More information on processing outbound files (pdf).
Interface : Inbound interface filename determination from event
When an inbound interface program is initiated by triggering an SAP event, the filename is sent
as an event parameter which should then be read by the interface program. An example of
using this triggering and parameter passing method is outlined in program ZDMR0036 (in
development system SF2).
Jobs : Tracking status using ZJOBRUN2
Many programs read input files or produce extracts from the R/3 and require detailed tracking
data file names and error statuses (beyond the capability of the standard R/3 job scheduler).
Even if the program doesn't need to keep track of file numbers or status, there are other
reasons that a program might need to preserve some status information from one run of the
program to the next. It also might be necessary to record some status information for easy
access by a human being. To provide a common repository for job status, the ZJOBRUN2 table
was created. All programs that need to track job status should read / write records to / from
this table. New programs must not use text files outside of the R/3 system or other custom
tables for this purpose. Programs that currently use methods other than the ZJOBRUN2 table
to track status should be modified to use ZJOBRUN2 instead.
NOTE: ZJOBRUN2 is an new and improved version of the original ZJOBRUN table. The original
table is still in use by older programs but should no longer be used for developing new
programs.
Here is the layout of the ZJOBRUN2 table:

ZJOBRUN2 Table
FIELD DESCRIPTION SAMPLE RECORD
PROVIDER File Transfer Provider ehse
FEED File transfer Feed Code trq
BATCH Sequential number of the job run 145
DATUM Date of run 08/07/2004
UZEIT Time of run 06:30:13
PGNAM Program name ZPE_EXTRACT_TO_EHSWEB
FILE File Name dehsetrq.145.20040807063013
TIME File Time Stamp 20040807063013
EXTRD Date of Extract Creation 08/07/2004
EXTRT Time of Extract Creation 06:30:13
RECCOUNT Record counter – number processed 589
CREDIT Total Credits (if applicable) 116.00
DEBIT Total Debits (if applicable) 473.00
CNTRLREC Control Record 589
CTRL_CREDIT Total control Credits (if applicable) 116.00
CTRL_DEBIT Total control Debits (if applicable) 473.00
ERRCOUNT Error Counter – number or error 0

records
ERR_CREDIT Total error credits (if applicable) 0.00
ERR_DEBIT Total error debits (if applicable) 0.00
ERRFILE Error File – location of error file on

UNIX filesystem
CURCY Currency Key USD
FILSTAT File Status G

REVIEW Review Flag
TEXT Text – any additional text info
UNAME User who executed the job ZZPEBATCH001
Master Data: Searching for a person's name in master data
Supervisor and addressee names are stored in SAP master data tables. Because it is possible
for more than one person to have the same name, MIT ID is used to uniquely identify a person
at MIT. The MIT ID of each cost object's supervisor and addressee is stored in table
ZCOOBJECT. The master list of MIT ID's is kept in table ZMITID. Several MIT-developed
function modules exist to allow programs to access these tables. They are outlined below.
• Z_CO_M
• ITID_TO_NAME - Convert MIT ID to name in format L /F M and as separate
components;
• Z_CO_COST_OBJECTS_FROM_MITID - Return a list of cost object numbers from MIT
id numbers passed in a range table;
• Z_CO_COST_OBJECT_NAMES - Return the names of the supervisor and addressee of
a given cost object;
• Z_CO_GET_MITID_POPUP - Display Popup of MITID information from a given select-
options.
In addition, collective search help ZMID is available for possible value help. It consists of two
elementary search helps:
• ZMIDA - Lists all MIT ID's in the system for given selection criteria;
• ZMIDB - Lists only those MIT ID's which are either supervisors or addressees of cost
objects.
Master Data: Determining Cost Object Type, Company, and Validity
Function Module Z_CO_GET_COST_OBJECT_TYPE can be used to determine the type

of a cost object, verify that the cost object is valid, and determine the company code of which
it is a part. The function module Z_FI_VALIDATE_GL_ACCOUNT is the G/L account
counterpart
to Z_CO_GET_COST_OBJECT_TYPE . Z_FI_VALIDATE_GL_ACCOUNT is called with a G/L
account number and a company code. Z_FI_VALIDATE_GL_ACCOUNT will indicate whether
the specified G/L account is valid in the specified company code and whether any flag is set
which
obviously prevents posting to that G/L account. (Again, it is possible that even if no flag is set
there
might be some other reason that a charge or credit can't be posted to the specified G/L
account.)
Termination Codes in Cost Objects

This section describes TermCodes in Cost Object master data and the ZSTATUS field of
ZCOOBJECT
table entries describing those Cost objects. (Note: when there is no TermCode on a Cost
Object that is the same as saying that the value of the Termcode is "space").
Term
ZSTATUS Meaning
Code
None/Space X Valid cost object
1* X Valid cost object
Valid Terminated Cost Object (No
3 T
postings permitted)
Invalid cost object with no
8 8
charges/credits posted
Invalid cost object with charges/credits
9 9
posted
* = Was used to indicate a restricted state in the MIT classic system

but it no longer has any special significance.
Invalid Cost Objects (Cost Objects with TermCode = ZSTATUS = 8 or 9) should be treated by
almost all MIT custom programs as though the Cost Objects don't exist. The only programs that
should take cognizance of these invalid Cost Objects are transactions ZCO2 and ZCO3 (for
modifying and displaying Cost Object master data), program ZCO005F (the Trial Balance
report), and some extracts sending data to the data warehouse.
Terminated Cost Objects (with TermCode = 3, ZSTATUS = T) are valid and may be reported
on, but they may not have any charges or credits posted to them. It is permissible to "Park" a
document with charges or credits to a terminated (TermCode = 3, ZSTATUS = T) Cost Object.
An alphabetic character in the ZSTATUS field of the ZCOOBJECT table indicates that the Cost
Object described by that row is a valid Cost Object. A numeric digit in the ZSTATUS field of the
ZCOOBJECT table indicates that the Cost Object described by that row is an invalid Cost Object.
MIT's Master Data maintainers guarantee that if the same Cost Object number appears in
ZCOOBJECT more than once, only one of those appearances will have an alphabetic character in
the ZCOOBJECT-ZSTATUS field - that is, at any instant, there will only be one valid cost object
with a given Cost Object number.
Most MIT function modules that return data about a Cost Object by looking it up in the
ZCOOBJECT table will ignore any rows that have a numeric digit in the ZSTATUS field of the
ZCOOBJECT table. If the only row for a particular Cost Object number has a numeric digit in the
ZSTATUS field of the ZCOOBJECT table, the function module will raise an exception indicating
that there is no valid Cost Object with that number.
Function module Z_CO_GET_COST_OBJECT_TYPE was originally written to return the type

(cost center, internal order, or WBS) of a valid Cost Object. During the M.E.S. project it was
enhanced to (optionally) return the company code of the Cost Object. It has been enhanced
again to also (optionally) return the status of the Cost Object. The status is the contents of the
ZSTATUS field of the ZCOOBJECT table. Currently the returned status will be either 'X' (for a
valid non-terminated Cost Object) or 'T' (for a valid terminated Cost Object).
Attempts to post charges or credits to terminated (TermCode = 3, ZSTATUS = T) cost objects

will be prevented by MIT's validation rules. However, some programs might find it useful to
know before attempting to post that the posting will be prevented by MIT's validation rules.
Such programs can check whether the status returned by Z_CO_GET_COST_OBJECT_TYPE is
'X' or 'T'. (Of course, even if the statusis 'X', there are many other reasons why it might not be
possible to post charges or credits to the Cost Object.)
Dictionary: Table development standards
1. Table naming convention

Name the table as follows:
Position Usage
1 'Z'
2-3 Business area - see appendix b
4-16 Descriptive characters
2. Table definition convention
The first field defined for any MIT developed business application table should be: MANDT
. This is the 'client' field, and makes the table specific to the client that it is used/modified
in. The only exception to this might be certain infrastructure tables that might be defined.
These would not be business application tables, however.
3. Maintenance settings
"Tab. Maint. Allowed" 'X' or (blank)
Flag if maintenance with Data Browser (Transaction SE16) is allowed.
If this flag is set, the data in the table can be changed with the Data
Browser and if the user has the necessary authorization.
If the data records of the table can only be maintained by program or

table view maintenance (Transaction SM30), you may not set this flag.
Note: If there is a maintenance interface for the table view

maintenance, the Data Browser cannot be called for the table. In this
case the flag has no effect.
4. Delivery class
Class SAP definition Comments
Applic. table (master and
A Should not be maintainable by SM30/SM31
transaction data)
Customizing table,
Used for Control type info, should be maintainable
C maintenance only by
by SM30/SM31
customer, not SAP import
Table for storing temporary
L Should not be used for MIT tables
data, delivered empty
Customizing table, This is for use on Customizing tables developed in
G protected against SAP cooperation with SAP. SAP can INSERT entries into
Update, only INS all this type of table, but cannot change or delete any.
Control table, SAP and
E customer have separate Should not be used for MIT tables
key areas
System table, maint. only
S by SAP, change = Should not be used for MIT tables
modification
System table, contents
W transportable via separate Should not be used for MIT tables
TR objects
5. Access Control - Authorization Group
This is not readily visible on the table definition screen. The definition of an Authorization
Group, and assignment of one to a table, are functions done by R3-Admin. However, the
identification of what that group should be is an Application Development issue. An
Authorization Group has a 4 character name.
A recommendation for the name construction is 'Zxxy',
where:
CHARACTER VALUE COMMENT

1 Z
2 character business area abbreviation; Example GL = General
2-3 xx
Ledger
1 alphanumeric character to distinguish sub groups within the
4 y business area for tables with common characteristics, and common
users
Authorization Group is an important attribute of a table; it is used in authorizations to grant
display and update access to the appropriate SAP Users.
An authorization group should be assigned to an MIT table if: - it is a delivery class 'C' (or
'G') customizing table - it is an application data table (Del. Class 'A') for which access is to
be restricted, even if a person has access to the application which displays / maintains it. -
An Authorization Group is recommended for all MIT developed tables, to provide a
mechanism for controlling access, even in cases where the table is thought to be 'public' or
commonly displayable.
6. Summary
When you are developing a table in SAP, consider these questions and the answers you get
for them:
• Who should be able to see the contents of this table? - only people who have access
to the transaction/report that use the table - small number of people - larger
number of people - any SAP User.
• How will entries be added/changed/deleted for this table? - by an application
program only - by standard table maintenance only - by both standard table
maintenance and the application.
• Are entries in this table dependent on entries in another table or vice versa? Is this
necessary for logical consistency? (If so, either a check table should be used to
ensure this, or maintenance should only be done via an application specifically
coded to ensure this relationship).
• Who should be able to add/change/delete entries of this table? - only people who
have access to the transaction/report that use the table - small number of people -
larger number of people.
• Is this table one of several that all share IDENTICAL access control requirements,
and will ALL be: a. commonly viewable by the exact same group of people? b.
commonly maintainable by the exact same group of people? (The groups referred to
in a. and b. may or may not be the same group) With this information you can
establish a matrix that defines - groupings of tables - types of access needed -
groups of people to have each type of access.
Direct database updates of SAP standard tables
Under no circumstances should any program directly update SAP-delivered tables using the
INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE commands. SAP-delivered tables begin with all letters other than Y
and Z, and they should only be updated using an SAP transaction. To automate updates to SAP
tables via a program, you may use the CALL TRANSACTION command (or optionally create a
BDC using SAP supplied functions, or use BAPIs).
More information is in Appendix D.
Processing error messages from BDC call transaction
R/3 has message libraries (or classes) containing numbered messages which may contain
placeholders. The ABAP MESSAGE command allows the programmer to specify a message
library, a message number and up to four values to be substituted for the placeholders in the
message.
Sometimes an ABAP programmer needs to substitute values for the placeholders himself - for
example to present the messages produced as the result of a CALL TRANSACTION.
It is strongly recommended that the ABAP programmer use the ABAP
"MESSAGE ID mid TYPE mtype NUMBER nr WITH f1 ... f4 INTO expanded"

command.
Function Modules
When a function module detects an error, it (typically) raises an exception to report the error
back to the caller. If you use the ABAP "RAISE" command, the caller gets the number
associated with the exception. It is strongly recommended that MIT-written function modules
not use the ABAP "RAISE" command - but use the ABAP
"MESSAGE ID mid TYPE mtype NUMBER nr WITH f1 ... f4 RAISING

exception"
command.
This form of the ABAP "MESSAGE" command is only possible within a function module or a
method. It triggers the exception "exception". If the program calling the function module or
method handles the exception itself, control returns immediately to that program. In this case,
the export parameters of the function module are ignored. However, the calling program can
refer to the system field values:
• SY-MSGID (message ID)

• SY-MSGTY (message type)
• SY-MSGNO (message number)
• SY-MSGV1 (message value 1)
If the calling program does not handle the exception itself, the message is output. This allows
MIT-written function modules to be as helpful as possible. The help is provided to the calling
program (if that program decides to use the extra information) or to the people dealing with an
eventual problem (if the program doesn't use the extra information).
Communication Between Foreground and Background Processes
This section discusses the "recommended" method of communicating information from a

foreground process to a background process.
In some cases it is desirable to have an interactive program which acquires some data (perhaps
by reading a file on the desktop machine, perhaps some by other means such as user entry or
a selection controlled by user entry) and passes that data to a background job for further
processing. There are several ways that the information could be passed. One method is to
have the interactive program write a Unix file which the background job will read. That is NOT
recommended (any more). The following three methods are recommended. The first two
methods assume that the interactive (foreground) job creates and SUBMITs the background
job and can pass parameters to the background job by including the parameter values in the
SUBMIT command.
• If there is very little data, have the foreground job use the SUBMIT command to pass
the actual data through selection screen parameters or select-options when creating
the background job.
• If there is more data, have the foreground job export it to the INDX table in the
database and us the SUBMIT command to pass the ID key through a selection screen
parameter when creating the background job.
• In some special cases, it might be better to create a new custom table and have the
foreground job load the data into the custom table, from which the background job will
retrieve it.
This is an expanded description of method 2, above. Assume that an internal table named
"t_itab" is defined (and loaded with data) in the foreground job and the internal table "t_itab"
has exactly the same definition in the background job. In the foreground job:
TABLES INDX. "Not required in

4.6C
DATA key like INDX-SRTFD.
EXPORT t_itab TO DATABASE INDX(ar) ID key.
where "t_itab" is the name of your internal table,
"ar" is a two-character constant of your choosing,
"key" is a variable containing a unique key (up to 22
characters long) that you created (you might want to consider
using elements such as the user name, the date, the time, the
work process number, the application server name, etc. to
produce a unique key)
SUBMIT BACKGRND ... WITH A_KEY1 = key ... .
In the background job:

TABLES INDX. "Not required in
4.6C
PARAMETERS: a_key1 like INDX-SRTFD NO-DISPLAY.
IMPORT t_itab FROM DATABASE INDX(ar) ID a_key1.
where "t_itab" is the name of your internal table,
"ar" is the same two-character constant,
"a_key1" is the parameter into which the unique key was passed
After you no longer need the data, the program should
DELETE FROM DATABASE INDX(ar) ID a_key1.
Choice of Currency Fields
SAP Tables contain multiple monetary amounts for two reasons:
1. The amounts are expressed in (potentially) different currencies.

2. The amounts represent different costs, expenses, or balances.
This section deals only with item 1 - that is, it is intended to provide guidance in the selection of
field(s) which use the current currency. It does not deal with item 2 - the programmer or
business analyst must determine which costs, expenses, or balances the program should be
using.
Make sure that the correct monetary fields are used.
• For FI Tables, use the monetary amount in the company code currency firld, sometimes
described as the "local currency" field.
• For CO Table, use the monetary amount in the controlling area currency field.
Generally, it is NOT the monetary amount in the field described as "document currency",
"transaction currency", or "object currency".
If you need guidance in selecting fields from a table not yet listed here, or you have information
about "monetary" fields not listed here, please contact either your FI-CO technical resource or
Technical Services.
MONETARY FIELD
TABLE TABLE DESCRIPTION FIELD DESCRIPTION
TO USE *
BSEG Accounting Department Segment DMBTR Amount in local currency
COEP CO Object: Line Items(by period) WKGBTR Total value on CO area currency
CO Object: Cost Totals for External
COSP WKG99 Total value on CO area currency
Postings
CO Object: Cost Totals for Internal
COSS WKG99 Total value on CO area currency
Postings
G/L Account Master Transaction Total Transactions in the period
GLT0 HSL99
Figures in local currency
Project Info Database:
RSPCO WLP99 Period value in Ledger currency
Cost,Revenues,Finances
* The '9' 's in this column stand for a given period (1 through 16).
Required Parameters To Z_SENDMAIL
The majority of E-Mail sent from the MIT R/3 systems is sent via custom function module
Z_SENDMAIL. After it was put into production, some additional input parameters were added
to Z_SENDMAIL. Since Z_SENDMAIL was already being called by production programs, the
new input parameters had to be added as optional parameters. However, any new or recently
modified programs that call function Z_SENDMAIL are required to supply
• An explicit two-character "E-Mail Handling Category" in the P_HNCAT parameter

• An appropriate address in the P_BOUNCED_EMAIL parameter
Regarding P_HNCAT, if you do not find a mail handling category to fit your needs at E-mail
Handling Categories , request a new mail handling category by sending mail to tech-
services@mit.edu and then use the assigned value for the P_HNCAT parameter.
The address supplied in the P_BOUNCED_EMAIL parameter should be the address of a list of
people who can take action to fix whatever problem caused the mail to bounce. Usually, this
should be a mail list that is monitored by process owners who can investigate an undeliverable
message or correct an invalid address. In general, the address supplied in the
P_BOUNCED_EMAIL parameter should be one of the following (in order of preference):
1. A mailing list of people from the business process side who can recognize and have the
ability to resolve the issue of a bounced E-Mail message. For example, CAO maintains
master data including cost object approvers. If a message to someone in the role of cost
object approver bounced, the bounce should be directed to a list of appropriate people in
CAO, so that the master data can be updated.
2. A mailing list of people from an Admin Computing support or project team who can
resolve the bounced mail.
3. "sap-bounces@mit.edu". Currently, this mail will go to Carolyn Fuller, David Rosenberg,
Wai-Ming Li, and Kevin Lyons for resolution.
If the mail the program is sending is associated with a LISTSERV or Mailman list, the owner(s)
or administrator(s) of that list might fit the first or second categories listed above. In that case,
a generic way to refer to them would be OWNER-<listname>@LISTSERV.MIT.EDU (for a
LISTSERV list) or <listname>-OWNER@MIT.EDU (for a Mailman list).
Intercepting and Logging E-mail via Z_SENDMAIL
Each call to the custom function module Z_SENDMAIL must pass a two-character "E-Mail
Handling Category" in the P_HNCAT parameter (see previous section). The ZEHCAT table is
used in conjunction with this e-mail handling category to instruct Z_SENDMAIL to intercept
and/or log the e-mail message.
The purpose of documents listed below is to:
• Provide information needed to instruct Z_SENDMAIL to intercept and/or log e-mail.
• Detail the process by which e-mail is intercepted and/or logged.
View document : Intercepting and Logging E-mail via Z_SENDMAIL
View document : E-mail Handling Categories
Restricting the Capabilities of Select-Options in ABAP Programs
The following document discusses how to restrict the capabilities of select-options in an ABAP
program. In particular, it addresses the special situation of restricting a select-option in a
program that makes use of the standard MES include file ZES_AFTER_INIT_FOR_S_BUKRS
(this include file already contains code to restrict the company code select-option, S_BUKRS).
View Document : Restricting_Select_Options
Table of Enterprise Structure Attributes
In the original SAP implementation at MIT, we had written all our custom programs assuming
that there was only one company code, one controlling area, one currency, one fiscal year
variant, etc. When a decision was made to alter our configuration to have multiple company
codes, controlling areas, and fiscal year variants, we had to review all our custom code and
modify more than half of it to accommodate multiple enterprise structures. We wanted to
protect ourselves from ever having to go through that experience again. We created an "MES
Toolkit" consisting of three function modules, about nine include files, and cookbook
documentation describing how to use them. One of benefits of the "MES Toolkit" is that it
provides structures that contain all the relevant MES variables so that (after it has been
initialized properly) they can be used like SY-* variables Ð there is a consistent set of names
that will be populated with the correct values and be referred to in a consistent way in all
programs (that use the "MES Toolkit"). We defined 7 different MES compliance levels
(depending on what the program had to do) and we added a command to the ABAP editor for
recording a programÕs MES compliance level. We also have a required field when submitting a
transport request (via ZUTTREQ) to state the MES compliance of the program being
transported. We wanted to be sure that all new programs and every program that was modified
in a way dealing with multiple enterprise attributes followed these procedures - to save us the
effort of ever going to go through the conversion again.
All new programs, all programs that undergo significant modification or enhancement, and
every program that was modified in a way dealing with multiple enterprise attributes must be
written to function correctly in an environment where we may have many different enterprise
structures in the same SAP client - preferably by using the "MES Toolkit".
The following table lists those enterprise structure attributes that have thus far been identified
as those whose value should be determined dynamically. That is, they should not be assumed
to have a constant value throughout the SAP system, but instead, should be derived either
through user input or via table lookups based upon the value of a known related attribute.
Par Valid Typical

Area Attribute Campus Value
ID Values Use
T009- V6 (see table T009 in
Cross Application Fiscal Year Variant GJVAR MARC-PERIV
PERIV Production)
T004-
Cross Application Chart of Accounts KPL HEUS SKA1-KTOPL
KTOPL
T005- CSKS-
Cross Application Country LND US
LAND1 LAND1
Currency (used as TCURC- BKPF-
Cross Application FWS USD
transaction currency) WAERS WAERS
Currency (used as
TCURC-
Cross Application company code FWS USD GLT0-HSL01
WAERS
currency)
Currency (used as CO TCURC- COSS-
Cross Application FWS USD
area currency) WAERS WKG001
Currency (used as TCURC-
Cross Application FWS USD GLT0-KSL01
group currency) WAERS
T880- GLT2-
Finance Consolidation Company GCC MIT
RCOMP RCOMP
T001- CSKS-
Finance Company Code BUK CUR
BUKRS BUKRS
FM01- FMFCTR-
Finance Funds Mgmt Area FIK MIT
FIKRS FIKRS
T014- BSEG-
Finance Credit Control Area KKB MIT1
KKBER KKBER
TGSB- <initial>(Not currently BSEG-
Finance Business Area GSB
GSBER used) GSBER
TFKB- <initial>(Not currently BSEG-
Finance Functional Area FBE
FKBER used) FKBER
TKA01- CSKS-
Controlling Controlling Area CAC MIT
KOKRS KOKRS
Sales and TVKO- Several (see table VBAK-
Sales Organization VKO
Distribution VKORG TVKO in Production) VKORG
Sales and TVTW- VBAK-
Distribution Channel VTW 10
Distribution VTWEG VTWEG
Sales and TSPA-
Division SPA 10 VBAK-SPART
Distribution SPART
Materials T001W- Several (see table EBAN-
Plant WRK
Management WERKS T001W in Production) WERKS
Materials Purchasing T024E- EKKO-
EKO GPO, SUB
Management Organization EKORG EKORG
Human T500P- Several (see table PA0001-
Personnel Area PBA
Resources PERSA T500P in Production) WERKS
Human T001P- Several (see table PA0001-
Personnel Sub-Area PBS
Resources BTRTL T001P in Production) BTRTL
The values of most enterprise structure attributes may be derived from the value of some
"base" attribute such as company code or controlling area. Therefore, many programs will not
require that their selection screens contain any enterprise structure attributes other than
company code and controlling area.
The program should be written so that it uses variables containing the values of enterprise
structure attributes obtained from the selection screen and system tables, even in the event
that the program may not permit user entry of the "base" attributes and hence only one set of
values will be used for the enterprise structure attributes.
The M.E.S. (Multiple Enterprise Structure) include files described in the next sectiuon
automatically gather some of these enterprise structure variables for you. The M.E.S. function
modules can also be used to gather values in a standard way.
In an effort to assist developers in making MIT custom programs MES (multiple enterprise
structure) compliant, numerous standard INCLUDE programs and function modules have been
developed. The following section describes the use of these standard routines when developing
a list-processing program.
General Toolkit for Multiple Enterprise Structures
Directions in this section will support one or more (user-specified or defaulted) companies in a
(user-specified or defaulted) controlling area. It involves the use of a parameter to indicate the
chosen controlling area and includes variations to allow either a parameter or a select-option for
indicating the chosen company code(s).
I. What you must include near the beginning of the program:

A. In the case where the program selects company codes via a select-option, you must add
the following statement within the section where you are declaring database tables
(unless GLPCA is already in a TABLES statement):
TABLES GLPCA.
B. Early in the section where you are declaring global data, include:
INCLUDE ZES_GLOBAL_DATA_ALWAYS.
C. Controlling area: Include a parameter named A_KOKRS in the definition of the selection
screen
and create the selection text "Controlling Area" for it:
1. If the user can NOT choose a controlling area (i.e., this program only works for
companies in controlling area "MIT"), include in the definition of the selection
screen (but users will NOT see it):
PARAMETERS: A_KOKRS LIKE GLPCA-KOKRS NO-DISPLAY DEFAULT 'MIT'.
2. If the program will work for any company code(s) in any controlling area but the
user is
supposed to make the selection by company code, include in the definition of the
selection
screen (but users will NOT see it):
PARAMETERS: A_KOKRS LIKE GLPCA-KOKRS NO-DISPLAY.
3. If the user CAN choose a controlling area, but the user must explicitly select it
(rather
than allowing the program to deduce it from the company code(s)), include in the
definition of the selection screen:
PARAMETERS: A_KOKRS LIKE GLPCA-KOKRS OBLIGATORY MEMORY ID CAC
4. If the user CAN choose a controlling area and the user MAY also leave it blank (to
allow the program to deduce it from the company code(s)), include in the definition
of the selection screen:
PARAMETERS: A_KOKRS LIKE GLPCA-KOKRS MEMORY ID CAC.
D. Company code: Include either a parameter named A_BUKRS or a Select-Option named

S_BUKRS in the definition of the selection screen. If the user is allowed to select more
than one company code, clearly, the select-option must be used. If only one company
code may be selected, either approach is allowed. Whether a parameter or select-option
is used, you must create a selection text "Company Code" for it.
1. If the user can NOT choose a company code (i.e., this is a program which only works
for
company code "CUR"), include in the definition of the selection screen (but users will
NOT
see it) either:
SELECT-OPTIONS: S_BUKRS FOR GLPCA-RBUKRS

NO INTERVALS NO-EXTENSION
NO-DISPLAY DEFAULT 'CUR'.
or:
PARAMETERS: A_BUKRS LIKE GLPCA-RBUKRS

NO-DISPLAY DEFAULT 'CUR'.
2. If the user CAN choose exactly one company code, include in the definition of the
selection screen either:

OBLIGATORY MEMORY ID BUK.
or:
PARAMETERS: A_BUKRS LIKE GLPCA-RBUKRS

OBLIGATORY MEMORY ID BUK.
3. If the user CAN choose one or more company codes, include in the definition of the
selection screen:

NO INTERVALS MEMORY ID BUK.
E. Early in the INITIALIZATION event, include the following line:
INCLUDE ZES_AFTER_INIT_ALWAYS.
Additionally, if you are using the select-option, S_BUKRS, include the line:
INCLUDE ZES_AFTER_INIT_FOR_S_BUKRS.
F. In the part of the program where you have AT SELECTION-SCREEN events, you must
include
two ABAP statements. Please note that each of these statements declares the beginning of
an event (for example,. "AT SELECTION-SCREEN ON A_KOKRS"). The second of them

should be immediately followed by another event.
The first of the two statements is:
INCLUDE ZES_AT_SEL_SCREEN_ON_A_KOKRS.
If the parameter, A_BUKRS, is used to select company code, the second statement must
be:
INCLUDE ZES_AT_SEL_SCREEN_ON_A_BUKRS.
Otherwise (i.e. S_BUKRS was used) the second statement must read:
INCLUDE ZES_AT_SEL_SCREEN_ON_S_BUKRS .
G. Early in the START-OF-SELECTION event, one line must be included. If the parameter,
A_BUKRS, is used to select company code, this statement must read
INCLUDE ZES_AFTER_S_O_SEL_FOR_A_BUKRS.
Otherwise, (i.e. S_BUKRS was used) the statement must read:
INCLUDE ZES_AFTER_S_O_SEL_FOR_S_BUKRS.
II. What is available for your use:
A. After the ZES_AFTER_S_O_SEL_FOR_A_BUKRS or

ZES_AFTER_S_O_SEL_FOR_S_BUKRS include, the following
COMMON_ESA- variables and R_ES_ range tables are automatically defined and
set to appropriate values. If more than one company code was supplied (or implied),
the COMMON_ESA- variables are set to the appropriate value only if it is common
to all the company codes - otherwise the COMMON_ESA- variable is left blank.
(Hence, if only one company code was supplied (or implied) you get some
additional values.)
1. Variables set when more than one company code is supplied (or implied):
Controlling Area COMMON_ESA-KOKRS (like TKA01-KOKRS)

Fiscal Year Variant COMMON_ESA-PERIV (like T009-PERIV)
Chart of Accounts COMMON_ESA-KTOPL (like T004-KTOPL)
Currency COMMON_ESA-WAERS (like TCURC-WAERS)
Consolidation Company COMMON_ESA-RCOMP (like T001-RCOMP)
Funds Management Area COMMON_ESA-FIKRS (like FM01-FIKRS)
Default Credit Ctrl Area COMMON_ESA-KKBER (like T014-KKBER)
2. Additional variables which MAY be set when more than one company code is supplied
and
WILL be set when only one company code is supplied (or implied):
Country COMMON_ESA-LAND1 (like T005-LAND1)
3. Additional variables set when only one company code is supplied (or implied):
Company Code SINGLE_ESA-BUKRS (like T001-BUKRS)

Company Name (25 chars) SINGLE_ESA-BUTXT (like T001-BUTXT)
Company Name (40 chars) SINGLE_ESA-BUKRS_NAME1
(like ADRC-NAME1)
4. Range tables: If more than one company code was supplied (or implied), the R_ES
Range
tables are filled with the union of the values from all the company codes.
Company Code R_ES_BUKRS (like RANGE_BUKRS_CO)

Sales Organizations R_ES_VKORG (like SHP_VKORG_RANGE)
Distribution Channels R_ES_VTWEG (like SHP_VTWEG_RANGE)
Divisions R_ES_SPART (like SHP_SPART_RANGE)
Plants R_ES_WERKS (like RANGE_WERKS)
Purchasing Organizations R_ES_EKORG (like EKORG_RANG)
Personnel Areas R_ES_PERSA (like RANGE_C4)
Personnel Sub-areas R_ES_BTRTL (like RANGE_C4)
B. New function modules - Three new function modules are being provided. Two of them
are
automatically called in the above include files and the results are left in the above
variables
and range tables for your use.
1. A function module named Z_ES_GET_ENTERPRISE_ATTRIBUTES which

returns other enterprise attributes that can be deduced from the ones that you
supply in the call.
2. A function module named Z_ES_GET_ESA_RANGES which returns range tables
filled
with the values associated with the company/ies that you supply in the call.
3. A function module named Z_ES_GET_COMP_CODE_ATTRIBUTES that calls the
above two function modules. This function module provides a slightly simpler
interface when you are dealing with exactly one company at a time.
C. Company code associated with a cost object: The table ZCOOBJECT has been
expanded to
include the company code associated with each cost object. Two existing MIT-written
function modules have been modified to return the company code associated with a
cost
object, if the caller requests it. They are:
1. Z_GET_COST_OBJECT
2. Z_CO_GET_COST_OBJECT_TYPE
D. Accessing some of the enterprise attributes:
1. If you want to know how many companies were selected, you can use the
following:
DATA NUMBER_OF_COMPANIES TYPE I.

DESCRIBE TABLE R_ES_BUKRS LINES NUMBER_OF_COMPANIES.
2. If you want to get the enterprise attributes for particular companies, one
company at
a time, get the company codes from R_ES_BUKRS-LOW and call
Z_ES_GET_ENTERPRISE_ATTRIBUTES for each one. The structure
SINGLE_ESA is a convenient place to hold the results.
Your code might look something like this:
LOOP AT R_ES_BUKRS.
"Execute the body of this loop once for each company

* If you need some enterprise attribute values associated with this company
* that are not "common" enterprise attribute values across multiple
companies
CALL FUNCTION 'Z_ES_GET_ENTERPRISE_ATTRIBUTES'

EXPORTING
I_BUKRS = R_ES_BUKRS-LOW
IMPORTING
E_PERIV = SINGLE_ESA-PERIV
E_KTOPL = SINGLE_ESA-KTOPL
E_WAERS = SINGLE_ESA-WAERS
E_LAND1 = SINGLE_ESA-LAND1
E_RCOMP = SINGLE_ESA-RCOMP
E_BUKRS = SINGLE_ESA-BUKRS
E_FIKRS = SINGLE_ESA-FIKRS
E_KKBER = SINGLE_ESA-KKBER
E_KOKRS = SINGLE_ESA-KOKRS
E_BUTXT = SINGLE_ESA-BUTXT
E_BUKRS_NAME1 = SINGLE_ESA-BUKRS_NAME1
EXCEPTIONS
CANNOT_FIND_ALL_REQUESTED_DATA = 1
OTHERS = 2.
IF SY-SUBRC <> 0.
MESSAGE ID SY-MSGID TYPE SY-MSGTY NUMBER SY-MSGNO
WITH SY-MSGV1 SY-MSGV2 SY-MSGV3 SY-MSGV4.
ENDIF.
As a result of the include files, the R_ES_ range tables are set with the "union"
of the
values for all the selected companies. If that is appropriate for your program,
don"t
call Z_ES_GET_ESA_RANGES. If you need range tables associated with one
company at a time, you can call the function module Z_ES_GET_ESA_RANGES.
If you need range tables associated with one company at a time but you don"t
need
the "union" range tables, you can overwrite them, as we do in the following
code.
If you need both the "union" range tables and company-specific range tables,
you
can store the results in new tables that you defined to be LIKE the R_ES_
tables.
CALL FUNCTION 'Z_ES_GET_ESA_RANGES'
EXPORTING
I_BUKRS = R_ES_BUKRS-LOW
TABLES
R_PERIV = R_ES_PERIV
R_KTOPL = R_ES_KTOPL
R_WAERS = R_ES_WAERS
R_LAND1 = R_ES_LAND1
R_RCOMP = R_ES_RCOMP
R_FIKRS = R_ES_FIKRS
R_KKBER = R_ES_KKBER
R_GSBER = R_ES_GSBER
R_KOKRS = R_ES_KOKRS
R_VKORG = R_ES_VKORG
R_VTWEG = R_ES_VTWEG
R_SPART = R_ES_SPART
R_WERKS = R_ES_WERKS
R_EKORG = R_ES_EKORG
R_PERSA = R_ES_PERSA
R_BTRTL = R_ES_BTRTL
EXCEPTIONS
INPUT_PARAMETERS_MISSING = 1
TOO_MANY_INPUT_PARAMETERS = 2
OTHERS = 3.
IF SY-SUBRC <> 0.
MESSAGE ID SY-MSGID TYPE SY-MSGTY NUMBER SY-MSGNO
WITH SY-MSGV1 SY-MSGV2 SY-MSGV3 SY-MSGV4.
ENDIF.
Do the program logic needed for this company here. The enterprise
attributes
are in the SINGLE_ESA structure. If you called Z_ES_GET_ESA_RANGES,
you
have range table for this company. If you didn"t call
Z_ES_GET_ESA_RANGES,
you have the range tables for the union of all selected companies.
ENDLOOP.
III. Other Aspects to Consider:

The full scope of what else needs to be done will depend on what the program
is trying to do, which tables it uses and how it uses them.
For example, if the program uses custom tables, the programmer will have to decide
whether
any enterprise attributes need to be added to those tables (and if so, which attributes).
A. Use values from the SINGLE_ESA or COMMON_ESA structures rather than literals or
constant for the values of enterprise structure attributes. (This is necessary to make
a program work for a user-specified company. If you are just making a program work
for one program-specified company code, it is very desirable, but not strictly necessary,
to use values from the SINGLE_ESA or COMMON_ESA structures rather than literals or
constants for the values of enterprise structure attributes.) Note that programs should
NOT refer to A_KOKRS, A_BUKRS, or S_BUKRS (other than setting up the selection
screen as described in the first section of this document). Programs should instead
refer to SINGLE_ESA-KOKRS, SINGLE_ESA-BUKRS, or R_ES_BUKRS.
B. In the WHERE clause of SELECT statements, use the appropriate SINGLE_ESA-variable,

COMMON_ESA-variable or R_ES_ range table to restrict the data to the company/ies
with
which the program is supposed to work. Even if a program is only being made to work
with
one program-selected company code, the WHERE clause must still restrict the data being
retrieved. In this case, it is very desirable, but not strictly necessary, to use the
SINGLE_ESA-variable, the COMMON_ESA-variable or the R_ES_ range tables
for this purpose.
C. Some programs operate on an externally supplied list of cost objects, documents, or

other
master or transactional data objects. For example, such an external list might be
supplied
via an input file, a spreadsheet upload, or a selection screen. The program should verify
that all these externally supplied data objects are associated with the company/ies with
which the program is supposed to be working.
In the case of cost objects, that means call either the Z_GET_COST_OBJECT or
Z_CO_GET_COST_OBJECT_TYPE function module for each externally supplied cost
object
and verify that "BUKRS EQ SINGLE_ESA-BUKRS" (or, more generally,
"BUKRS IN R_ES_BUKRS"). How the test should be done for other types of data objects,
depends on the data object. The test should be done using the SINGLE_ESA- variables,
COMMON_ESA- variables and R_ES_ range tables, so as to make the program easy to
maintain and extend to other companies or groups of companies.
D. Most output should show which company it is for. For an internal report, you might just
show
in the header of the report the company code(s) whose data is included. Any business
document (for example, a Purchase Order or Invoice) which will go to another party
should
show the name of the company from which it was generated. (The variables
SINGLE_ESA-BUTXT and SINGLE_ESA-BUKRS_NAME1 are 25 and 40 character
(respectively)
fields for the company name.)
E. Make sure that the correct monetary fields are used. For FI tables, use the monetary
amount
in the company code currency field, sometimes described as the "local currency" field.
Generally, it is NOT the monetary amount in the field described as "document currency"
or
"transaction currency". For CO tables, use the monetary amount in the controlling area
currency field. For more information, see the section of this document called
"Choice of Currency Fields".
F. Determining the relationship between calendar months and fiscal periods: This is not
strictly
necessary for programs that only handle companies in the "MIT" controlling area, but
it is
a good programming practice. (In addition to the specific function modules cited
here, other function modules in the function groups ADAT and FACS may be helpful,
depending on the situation.)
1. To convert a calendar date to a fiscal year and period, use function module
DATE_TO_PERIOD_CONVERT
(or function module FI_PERIOD_DETERMINE).
2. To convert fiscal year and period to the calendar date of the first day of the
period,
use function module FIRST_DAY_IN_PERIOD_GET.
3. To convert fiscal year and period to the calendar date of the last day of the period,
use function module LAST_DAY_IN_PERIOD_GET.
Uploading and Downloading files between the SAPgui & the R/3 System
In R/3 4.6C, ABAP programs should use the WS_UPLOAD and WS_DOWNLOAD
function modules (rather than the GUI_UPLOAD and GUI_DOWNLOAD function
modules or static methods).
In R/3 6.20 and later, the WS_UPLOAD and WS_DOWNLOAD function modules
are still available, but the GUI_UPLOAD and GUI_DOWNLOAD static
methods of the CL_GUI_FRONTEND_SERVICES class are preferred. New code
that will not be used until after our SAP upgrade should use the
GUI_UPLOAD and GUI_DOWNLOAD static methods of the
CL_GUI_FRONTEND_SERVICES class (rather than the WS_UPLOAD and
WS_DOWNLOAD function modules).
V. USER INTERFACE STANDARDS

GUI : SAP Style Guide
For applications that require dialog programming, the SAP Style Guide should be used as a
basis for development. Using this guide for screen design and ergonomics will insure
consistency in MIT developed transactions. The SAP Style Guide is available in the help
documentation using the following path: Help -> R/3 Library -> BC-Basis Components -> ABAP
Workbench (BC-DWB) -> BC-> SAP Style Guide. Another useful resource is the SAP supplied
demo transaction which gives examples (with documentaion) of the standards used in both
dialog programming and list generation. The demo transaction BIBS is used for screen painter
guidelines. The demo transaction LIBS is used for list output guidelines.
GUI : Screen Painter Resolution

The MIT user community, in general, uses monitors capable of at least 800x600 resolution.
Hence, any screen painter development should ensure that all fields are viewable within that
screen size. This corresponds to the SAP default screen size of 21 lines by 83 columns. Note
that SAP does not include the title, menu bar, status line, and OKCode box in this area.
MIT-ITS Web Site Look and Feel Standards
View Document: MIT-ITS Web Site Standards
Radio Button Groups: Use a default to avoid unexpected results
Radio Button Groups:
In each radio button group exactly one button in the radio button group must be defaulted to
'X'.
Example:
parameter: p_rb1 radiobutton group grp1 default 'X',

p_rb2 radiobutton group grp1.
If we did not have the above requirement, and no radio button was defaulted to 'X', then we
would get different behavior when the program was run interactively versus being run in the
background(when run in the background, no radio button would be set. When run interactively,
the first radio button would be set.)
VI. DOCUMENTATION STANDARDS
Configuration Documentation
FI Document Types (includes AP, GL, MM)
Accounting document type configuration is maintained as part of the SAP configuration process.
As such, you must always confirm any new document types with the configuration team prior to
coding a report to access the data.
Also, existing extract programs may need to be modified for the new document type, hence it is
necessary to pro-actively notify The Financial Architecture Group < sap-doc-types@mit.edu > of
the creation of a new document type. After the new document type is approved, the Financial
Architecture Group will communicate the changes to all other necessary parties so that other
programs can be modified.
Source Code Documentation
ABAP/4 code is fairly self-documenting. However, it is wise to provide future programmers with
documentation. Explain the purpose, design, structure and any testing hints at the top of the
program. Maintain a history of modification notes, dated, with the most recent change first.
Comment work fields, and fields in work records especially those used for interfacing. Comment
all subroutines with their purpose. Comments should explain what the code is doing, not how
the code is doing it.
MIT has developed several templates for providing documentation via the ABAP "Program
Documentation" function. From the ABAP Editor transaction SE38, you can access the
documentation by selecting object component "Documentation" then click "Display", or from
within the editor screen by doing Goto -> Program doc. The MIT templates are in the following
ABAP programs:
Program Usage
ZPROGDOC ABAP/4 Program documentation
ZSYSTDOC System documentation
ZFUNCDOC Function Module documentation
ZINCLDOC Include documentation
ZRPRPDOC Report Painter report documentation
Note that a "general purpose" include file, or any include file which is not documented in the
documentation for an associated main program, should be documented using the "program"
template (ZPROGDOC) rather than the degenerate "include file" template (ZINCLDOC). There
must be documentation for the code within an include file either in the include file
documentation itself (using the long form contained in ZPROGDOC), or in the main program's
documentation object (ZPROGDOC). In the case of the latter, the short form contained in
ZINCLDOC must be filled out with information which points to the main program.
It is mandatory to complete a documentation template prior to transporting your program to

the production system.
In addition to documentation via the templates, brief comments within the code can be very
helpful for ongoing program maintenance. For example, you should document the major steps
in the program source, such as:
do 16 times. "why are we doing this 16 times instead of 12???

...
enddo.
For the example of CASE statements, each case value should be documented:
case <variable>.
when 'Y'. "explain what 'Y' actually means

...
when 'H'. "explain what 'H' actually means
...
endcase.
When modifying a program, to document within the source code, you can use the following
convention:
*------------------------------------------------------------
-----*
* This program is Multiple Enterprise Structure compliant
* at level 4.
* It runs for any selected company code(s) in the MIT "CO"
area.
*
* Purpose:
*
*
*------------------------------------------------------------
-----*
* Author:
* Date:
*
*------------------------------------------------------------
-----*
* Revision History:
*
* Date Author Transport/Description
* --------- --------- ----------------------
* 13-Nov-01 John Doe SF2K123456
* 1. This is the documentation of one of the
revisions
* made within transport SF2K123456.
* 2. This is the doumentation of a different
revision
* revision made within transport SF2K123456.
* 3. This is the documentation for yet another
revision
* made within the same transport.
* 06-Jun-00 Jane Doe SF2K012345
* 1. This is the documentation for a revision within
* transport SF2K012345
*------------------------------------------------------------
-----*
DATA: BEGIN OF rec, "SF2K900001
ind, "interface type

ind.
f1 LIKE MA-IDNRA, "material number
f2 LIKE MA-KTX01, "material short
text
f3(16), "filler "SF2K9000000
...
END OF rec.
This convention is available from the ABAP editor, via the pattern function. Select
"DOCU_BLOCK" from the "other pattern" option to paste it into your program.
Always indicate which lines were changed or added by appending the transport (change
request) number to the line. (This is the convention used by SAP developers).
INSERT D030L-TYPE D030L-DDNAME D030T-DDTEXT D030L-CBNAME

D030L-SEGMENTID D030L-DOCTYPE INTO HEADER.
SELECT * FROM D030L WHERE "SF2K900001

DDNAME BETWEEN TABLEFR AND TABLETO.
CHECK D030L-DDMODIFY NE USR.
SELECT * FROM D030T WHERE
DDLANGUAGE EQ SY-LANGU AND

DDNAME EQ D030L-DDNAME.
ENDSELECT.
EXTRACT HEADER.
ENDSELECT.
Function Modules
The import and export parameters of function modules should have names beginning with 'I_'
and 'E_' respectively. They should be documented with brief descriptions of the fields and their
typical contents. Also, any special requirements or usage should be noted. At the minimum, the
documentation 'Short Text' should be completed for each parameter. This is found by selecting
the 'interface' radio button on the main function module transaction, SE37. From there, click on
the 'Documentation' tab.
Validation Rules
Because of the nature of the impact of changes in validation rules to the entire SAP system
operation, validation rules should only be changed by (or with the permission of) the Validation
Rules Team. If you need a new or modified validation rule, do not act unilaterally, instead
coordinate with the Validation Rules Team. Any developer who is considering altering a
validation rule must send a message to MIT-ABAP@MITVMA.MIT.EDU as early in the
development process as possible. At a minimum this notification must be sent one week before
any development is transported to the test and integration system (SF5).
Configuration Changes that alter Transaction Fields
As with changes to validation rules, any configuration changes that alter the "required",
"optional", or "not permitted" status of fields, or that remove a field, must be submitted in a
mail message to MIT-ABAP@MITVMA.MIT.EDU as early as possible with a minimum of one week
notification before transport to the test and integration system.
VII. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

General Performance Standards
1. "Dead" code
Avoid leaving "dead" code in the program. Comment out (or delete) variables that are not
referenced and code that is not executed. Use program --> check --> extended program
check to see a list of variables which are not referenced statically
2. Use logical databases
Choose the most efficient logical data base possible. Study the selection criteria and which
secondary indexes are used for that view. Provide the appropriate selection criteria to limit
the number of data base reads. Force users to provide selection criteria by evaluating the
selection criteria entered on the selection screen during the AT SELECTION-SCREEN
event. Finally, when possible take advantage of the matchcodes to increase speed
3. Subroutine usage
For good modularization, the decision of whether or not to execute a subroutine should be
made before the subroutine is called. For example:
This is better:
IF f1 NE 0.
PERFORM sub1.
ENDIF.
FORM sub1.
...
ENDFORM.
Than this:
PERFORM sub1.
FORM sub1.
IF f1 NE 0.
...
ENDIF.
ENDFORM.
4. IF statements
When coding IF tests, nest the testing conditions so that the outer conditions are those
which are most likely to fail. For logical expressions with AND , place the mostly likely false
first and for the OR, place the mostly likely true first.
Example - nested IF's:
IF (least likely to be true).
IF (less likely to be true).
IF (most likely to be true).

ENDIF.
ENDIF.
ENDIF.
Example - IF...ELSEIF...ENDIF :
IF (most likely to be true).
ELSEIF (less likely to be true).
ELSEIF (least likely to be true).
ENDIF.
Example - AND:
IF (least likely to be true) AND

(most likely to be true).
ENDIF.
Example - OR:
IF (most likely to be true) OR

(least likely to be true).
5. CASE vs. nested IFs
When testing fields "equal to" something, one can use either the nested IF or the CASE
statement. The CASE is better for two reasons. It is easier to read and after about five
nested IFs the performance of the CASE is more efficient.
6. MOVE-ing structures
When records a and b have the exact same structure, it is more efficient to MOVE a TO b
than to MOVE-CORRESPONDING a TO b.
MOVE BSEG TO *BSEG.
is better than
MOVE-CORRESPONDING BSEG TO *BSEG.
7. SELECT and SELECT SINGLE
When using the SELECT statement, study the key and always provide as much of the left-
most part of the key as possible. If the entire key can be qualified, code a SELECT
SINGLE not just a SELECT. If you are only interested in the first row or there is only one
row to be returned, using SELECT SINGLE can increase performance by up to three times.
8. Small internal tables vs. complete internal tables
In general it is better to minimize the number of fields declared in an internal table. While
it may be convenient to declare an internal table using the LIKE command, in most cases,
programs will not use all fields in the SAP standard table. For example:
Instead of this:
data: t_vbak like vbak occurs 0 with header line.
Use this:
data: begin of t_vbak occurs 0,
vbeln like vbak-vbeln,

...
end of t_vbak.
9. Row-level processing of a table
Selecting data into an internal table using an array fetch versus a SELECT-ENDELECT loop
will give at least a 2x performance improvement. After the data has been put into the
internal table, then row-level processing can be done.
For example,
use:
select ... from table <..>

into <itab> (corresponding fields of itab)
where ...
loop at <itab>
<do the row-level processing here>
endloop.
instead of using:
select ... from table <...

where ...
<row-level processing>
append <itab>.
endselect.
10. Row-level processing and SELECT SINGLE
Similar to the processing of a SELECT-ENDSELECT loop, when calling multiple SELECT-

SINGLE commands on a non-buffered table (check Data Dictionary -> Technical Info), you
should do the following to improve performance:
• Use the SELECT into <itab> to buffer the necessary rows in an internal table, then
• sort the rows by the key fields, then
• use a READ TABLE WITH KEY ... BINARY SEARCH in place of the SELECT
SINGLE command. Note that this only make sense when the table you are
buffering is not too large (this decision must be made on a case by case basis).
11. READing single records of internal tables
When reading a single record in an internal table, the READ TABLE WITH KEY is not a
direct READ. This means that if the data is not sorted according to the key, the system
must sequentially read the table. Therefore, you should:
• SORT the table
• use READ TABLE WITH KEY BINARY SEARCH for better performance.
12. SORTing internal tables
When SORTing internal tables, specify the fields to SORTed.
SORT ITAB BY FLD1 FLD2.
is more efficient than
SORT ITAB.
13. Number of entries in an internal table

To find out how many entries are in an internal table use DESCRIBE.
DESCRIBE TABLE ITAB LINES CNTLNS.
LOOP AT ITAB.
CNTLNS = CNTLNS + 1.
ENDLOOP.
14. Length of a field
To find out the length of a field use the string length function.
FLDLEN = STRLEN (FLD).
IF FLD CP '* #'.
ENDIF.
FLDLEN = SY-FDPOS.
15. Performance diagnosis
To diagnose performance problems, it is recommended to use the SAP transaction SE30,

ABAP/4 Runtime Analysis. The utility allows statistical analysis of transactions and
programs.
16. Nested SELECTs versus table views
Since releASE 4.0, OPEN SQL allows both inner and outer table joins. A nested SELECT
loop may be used to accomplish the same concept. However, the performance of nested
SELECT loops is very poor in comparison to a join. Hence, to improve performance by a
factor of 25x and reduce network load, you should either create a view in the data
dictionary then use this view to select data, or code the select using a join.
17. If nested SELECTs must be used
As mentioned previously, performance can be dramatically improved by using views instead

of nested SELECTs, however, if this is not possible, then the following example of using an
internal table in a nested SELECT can also improve performance by a factor of 5x:
Use this:
form select_good.
data: t_vbak like vbak occurs 0 with header line.
data: t_vbap like vbap occurs 0 with header line.
select * from vbak into table t_vbak up to 200 rows.

select * from vbap
for all entries in t_vbak
where vbeln = t_vbak-vbeln.
...
endselect.
endform.
Instead of this:
form select_bad.
select * from vbak up to 200 rows.
select * from vbap where vbeln = vbak-vbeln.

...
endselect.
endselect.
endform.
Although using "SELECT...FOR ALL ENTRIES IN..." is generally very fast, you should be
aware of the three pitfalls of using it:
Firstly, SAP automatically removes any duplicates from the rest of the retrieved records.
Therefore, if you wish to ensure that no qualifying records are discarded, the field list of
the inner SELECT must be designed to ensure the retrieved records will contain no
duplicates (normally, this would mean including in the list of retrieved fields all of those
fields that comprise that table's primary key).
Secondly, if you were able to code "SELECT ... FROM <database table> FOR ALL
ENTRIES IN TABLE <itab>" and the internal table <itab> is empty, then all rows from
<database table> will be retrieved.
Thirdly, if the internal table supplying the selection criteria (i.e. internal table <itab> in the
example "...FOR ALL ENTRIES IN TABLE <itab> ") contains a large number of entries,
performance degradation may occur.
18. SELECT * versus SELECTing individual fields
In general, use a SELECT statement specifying a list of fields instead of a SELECT * to

reduce network traffic and improve performance. For tables with only a few fields the
improvements may be minor, but many SAP tables contain more than 50 fields when the
program needs only a few. In the latter case, the performace gains can be substantial.
For example:
Use:
select vbeln auart vbtyp from table vbak
into (vbak-vbeln, vbak-auart, vbak-vbtyp)
where ...
Instead of using:
select * from vbak where ...
19. Avoid unnecessary statements
There are a few cases where one command is better than two. For example:
Use:
append <tab_wa> to <tab>.
Instead of:
<tab> = <tab_wa>.
append <tab> (modify <tab>).
And also, use:
if not <tab>[] is initial.
Instead of:
describe table <tab> lines <line_counter>.
if <line_counter> > 0.
20. Copying or appending internal tables
Use this:
<tab2>[] = <tab1>[]. (if <tab2> is empty)
Instead of this:
loop at <tab1>.
append <tab1> to <tab2>.
endloop.
However, if <tab2> is not empty and should not be overwritten, then use:
append lines of <tab1> [from index1] [to index2] to <tab2>.
21. Declaring Internal Tables using R/3 Release 4.x syntax
R/3 release 4.6 contains capabilities for hashing and sorting internal tables that improve
system performance. The 4.6 syntax should be used whenever coding internal tables.
The following examples illustrate the use of this syntax.
* First,declare the header line or work area (wa) as a type:
TYPES: begin of <line_type>,

field1 like ...,
....
fieldn like ..,
end of <line_type>.
* For example, here is a table line type with some vendor fields
TYPES: Begin of TY_VENDOR_DATA,

LIFNR type LFA1-LIFNR,
NAME1 type LFA1-NAME1,
End of TY_VENDOR_DATA.
or
TYPES: <line_type> like <DD table or DDstructure>.
* This version would include ALL of the vendor (LFA1) fields
TYPES: TY_VENDOR_DATA TYPE LFA1.
You may then declare the internal table (see Below) or, optionally, you may first
declare a table type. Declaring a table type would be preferable in those cases
where your program declares several internal tables of the same type (and
therefore the table type can be reused by each internal table declaration)
or where the internal table is passed to subroutines or methods (and therefore
the table type can be included in the form/method interface definition.
TYPES: <t_table_type> type <line_type> occurs 0.
* This example would define a standard (i.e. unsorted) table type
TYPES: ty_t_vendor type ty_vendor_data occurs 0.
or
TYPES: <t_table_type> type

[sorted|hashed|standard|index|any]
table of <line_type>
with [unique|non-unique] key <key definition>].
* This example would define a vendor table type sorted by vendor number
TYPES: ty_t_vendor type sorted table of ty_vendor_data

with unique key lifnr.
* Finally declare the table and the work area:
DATA:<t_table> type <t_table_type>,"itab w/ no header line
DATA:<wa_table>type <line_type>. " work area for t_table
* This example defines an itab using the table type we just defined above
* (Note: depending on which of the two above table types you choose,
* this will define either a standard or sorted internal table.)
DATA: t_vendor type ty_t_vendor, " itab has no header line

wa_vendor type ty_vendor_data." work area for t_vendor
* declaration of an internal table using a table line type
DATA: <t_table> type

[sorted|hashed|standard|index|any] table
of <line_type>
with [unique|non-unique] key <key definition>]
[with header_line].
* This example declares a standard, unsorted internal table
DATA: t_vendor type ty_vendor_data occurs 0 with header line.

* This example declares an internal table sorted by vendor number
DATA: t_vendor type sorted table of ty_vendor_data

with unique key lifnr.
with header line.
ABAP/4 Tuning Checklist
The general performance standards above outline ways to increase efficiency from many
different perspectives, the following checklist was developed by SAP to quickly review the most
common performance problems. Please note that some of the information may overlap with the
general performance section.
Is the program using SELECT * statements?
Convert them to SELECT column1 column2 or use projection views.
Are CHECK statements for table fields embedded in a SELECT ... ENDSELECT loop?
Incorporate the CHECK statements into the WHERE clause of the SELECT statement.
Do SELECTS on non-key fields use an appropriate DB index or is the table buffered?
Create an index for the table in the data dictionary or buffer tables if they are read only
or read mostly. Please consult R3-Admin for creation of indexes on or the buffering of SAP
supplied tables.
Is the program using nested SELECTs to retrieve data?
Convert nested SELECTs to database views, DB joins (v4.0), or SELECT xxx FOR ALL
ENTRIES IN ITAB. Click here for a discussion on "for all entries".
Are there SELECTs without WHERE condition against tables that grow constantly
(BSEG, MKPF, VBAK)?
Program design is wrong - back to the drawing board.
Are SELECT accesses to master data tables buffered (no duplicate accesses with the
same key)?
Buffer accesses to master data tables by storing the data in an internal table and filling
the table with the READ TABLE ... BINARY SEARCH method
Is the program using SELECT ... APPEND ITAB ... ENDSELECT techniques to fill
internal tables?
Change the processing to read the data immediately into an internal table (SELECT
VBELN AUART ... INTO TABLE T_VBAK ...)
Is the program using SELECT ORDER BY statements?
Data should be read into an internal table first and then sorted unless there is an
appropriate index on the ORDER BY fields
Is the programming doing calculations or summarizations that can be done on the
database via SUM, AVG, MIN, or MAX functions of the SELECT statement?
Use the calculation capabilities of the database via SELECT SUM, ...
Are internal tables processed using the READ TABLE itab WITH KEY ... BINARY
SEARCH technique?
Change table accesses to use BINARY SEARCH method
Is the program inserting, updating, or deleting data in dialog mode (not via an
update function module)?
Make sure that the program issues COMMIT WORK statements when one or more
logical units of work (LUWs) have been processed.
VIII. NAMING STANDARDS
In general, any custom developed programs or objects should be named with the "Z" for the
first character. SAP has designated objects beginning with the letters "Y" and "Z" as customer
named objects and ensures that this name space will not be overwritten during an upgrade. At
MIT, we have started using the convention that objects whose names begin with "Y" are
intended for "one time use" and objects whose names begin with "Z" are intended "regular"
use. An example of a program that should start with 'Y' would be a program that was written
for the Y2K conversions. Also, programs that are not intended to be migrated to Production
should begin with "Y".
Also, SAP regularly updates the recommended customer name ranges for all development
objects. For objects not included in this guide, please consult this SAP-created document. It is
located on the SAP OSS system in note #16466.
ABAP Reports
In R/3 release 3.0F, ABAP report names were limited to 8 characters. In R/3 release 4.6C, ABAP
report names can now be up to 40 characters long.
Position Usage
1 'Y' if program will not be migrated to production
'Z' if program will be migrated to production
2-3 Application Name Abbreviation (see table following)
4-40 Any (up to) 37-character acronym or words describing

the program
Examples:
• ZARI007 (Cashier Feed Validation Request)

• ZCOR001, or ZCO_MISSING_FUND (Report CO objects missing funds and/or
fund centers)
However, if the ABAP program is being created as a global data include or subroutine include, it
should be formatted as follows:
Position Usage
1 'Z' as required for customer development

2-37 same as positions 4-39 in the main program
last 3 'TOP' if used for global data, data declarations, table

characters declarations
'F##' for subroutines where ## is a number, 00 through

99.
Examples:
• ZFCCMTOP (Credit card TOP Include)

• ZFCCMF01 (Credit Card FORM include)
Classification Objects and Class Types
Since classification objects and class types are more like programming data constructs than
they are like configuration data, MIT naming conventions should be followed when creating new
classification objects or class types. To differentiate between SAP supplied classes and MIT
developed classes the prefix 'MIT_' should be used followed by either the SAP data element or a
descriptive abbreviation. For example, when creating a characteristic for a 'Profit Center' where
the data element is 'PRCTR' the name would be 'MIT_PRCTR'. In addition, SAP recommends
using only letters from A-Z, digits 0-9, and the underscore character in the name.
Development Classes
Development classes should only be created when a specific new project requires all
components to be linked for organizational purposes. Before creating a new development class,
please consult with the Technical Services Team <tech-services@mit.edu >. See Appendix C for
a list of development classes.
Directories for file I/O
Most SAP system interfaces using flat ASCII files for input or output should use the following
directory paths for temporary and permanent interface files.
• To R/3 from an EXTERNAL SYSTEM: /usr/bridges/[environment

name]/sapin/
• To an EXTERNAL SYSTEM from R/3: /usr/bridges/[environment

name]/sapout/
• Files written by one ABAP program and read by another:

/usr/bridges/[environment name]/saptmp/
• Files already used by R/3: /usr/bridges/[environment

name]/archive/
The variable [environment name] should be determined at run-time by the program. To
generate this name, use the function Z_DETERMINE_FUNC_AREA. This function will identify
the [environment name] section of the path based on the system id and the client of the calling
R/3 system.
Sample code follows:
data: begin of myfile,

part1(13) value '/usr/bridges/',
part2(15), "dev2 or tst1 or prod
part3(9) value '/saptmp/',
part4(30) value 'flname',
end of myfile.
initialization.
call function 'Z_DETERMINE_FUNC_AREA'
importing
func = myfile-part2
exceptions
unknown_sysid = 1
unknown_mandt = 2.
if sy-subrc eq 0.
condense myfile no-gaps.
endif.
Function Groups
Function Groups are named using the following convention:
Position Usage
2-3 Application Name Abbreviation (see Appendix B)
4 Sequential group number

For example, ZBR0 is the function group for application "BR" for "Bridges" and number "0"
sequentially. Before creating a new function group, please consult with Technical Services.
Function Modules
Function module names should be as descriptive as possible given that there are 30 characters
available for naming. They should be formatted as follows:
Position Usage
2 '_' (an underscore)
5-30 any use of descriptive words separated by underscores

Check Modules for External Commands
In the special case of function modules which are used as check modules for external
commands, their names follow different rules. Such function modules should be created in the
function group "SAPLZEXT_CMD_CHECK_MODULES" and given names of the form
"Z_CK_EXTCMD_<external-command>" (where <external-command> represents the actual
name of the External Command whose invocation is checked by this function module before the
External Command is executed).
Module Pools
Module pools should be named as follows:
Position Usage
1-3 'SAPM' as required by the system to denote online

modules
5 'Z' to denote customer named object
8 Sequential Number (0-9)
Module pool includes should be named as follows:
Position Usage
1 'M' as required by the system to denote online modules
2 'Z' to denote customer named object
5 Sequential Number (0-9) corresponding to main program
6 'I' for PAI modules, 'O' for PBO modules, 'F' for
subroutines
7-8 Sequential Number (00-99)
6-8 'TOP' if the include is the global data include

Naming Conventions in ABAP Objects
Introduction
ABAP Objects' namespace validity is very complex. In order to avoid problems

during
development it is not only helpful but also necessary to outline name
conventions
for that matter.
Classes and their dependent subclasses share the same namespace which affects
Constants (CONSTANTS) ,
Variables (DATA, CLASS-DATA) ,
Methods (METHODS, CLASS-METHODS) and
Events (EVENTS, CLASS-EVENTS).
SAP has not yet decided whether to allow upper/lower case for internal names (to
separate individual words - as in JAVA). Therefore in order to do that we still
have to use the underscore character.
Naming Conventions
General rules:
• Always use meaningful English terms for naming objects.

• Use glossary terms whenever possible. For example: ZCL_COMPANY_CODE,
instead of BUKRS, as this will be SAP"s standard in the futue (see
BAPIs)
• Where names are grouped together use the '_' as a separator. For
example: ZCL_COMPANY_CODE, ZCL_GENERAL_LEDGER_ACCOUNT
• Names should describe what the subject is not how it is to be

implemented. For Example: PRINT_RECTANGLE and not RECTANGLE_TO_SPOOL.
General Conventions:
ZCL_<class name>
The class name should consist of nouns and should only use
Class in Class Library* the
singular form:
ZCL_COMPANY_CODE
ZCL_GENERAL_LEDGER_ACCOUNT
ZIF_<interface name>
Interfaces in
The naming conventions for classes also apply to interface:.
ClassLibrary*
ZIF_STATUS_MANAGEMENT,
ZIF_CHECKER
Types in the DDIC* Z<type name>
LCL_<class name>
Local Class the
singular form:
LCL_TRANSACTION
LIF_<interface name>
Local Interface
the
singular form:
LIF_PRINTER
Objects marked with * are protected by the global TADIR, but they occupy the
same namespace as data elements, tables, structures and types.
Class Conventions
<method name>
Method Name The method name should begin with a verb.

GET_STATUS, CREATE_ORDER,
DETERMINE_PRICE
Event <event name>
Event names should be named like this:

<Noun>_<Participle of Verb >.
BUTTON_PUSHED,
COMPANY_CODE_CHANGED,
BUSINESS_PARTNER_PRINTED
<type name>_ty
Local Class Type
Definition INTERNAL_TYPE_TY,
TREE_LIST_TY
<variable name>
You should avoid using verbs at the beginning when

Data Definition naming
(Variable) variables within a class (CLASS-DATA, DATA).
(This is to prevent confusion with method names.)
LINE_COUNT, MARK_PRINTED,
MARK_CHANGED, STATUS
C_<constant name>
Data Definition C_MAX_LINE,

(Constants) C_DEFAULT_STATUS,
C_DEFAULT_WIDTH,
C_MAX_ROWS
Fixed Method Names

SET_<attribute name>,
GET_<attribute name>
You should prefix all types of attribute access

Attribute Accesses
with GET_
or SET Accordingly,
GET_STATUS,
SET_USE_COUNT
ON_<event name>
For methods that deal with an event, you

Methods that Deal with an should begin the
Event name with ON followed by the name of the
relevant event.
ON_BUTTON_PUSHED,
ON_BUSINESS_PARTNER_PRINTED
Methods that carry out Type AS_<new Type>
Conversions
AS_STRING,
AS_ISOCODE
Methods that deliver a Boolean
Value
These methods cannot return IS_<adjective>

any EXCEPTIONS.
Recommendation: The IS_OPEN, IS_EMPTY,
Boolean value should be IS_ACTIVE
represented by SPACE/"X" for
False/True.
Check Methods
These methods differ from the

CHECK_<objective>
IS_<adjective>" methods by
their ability to return
CHECK_AUTHORIZATION,
exceptions.
CHECK_PROCESS_DATE
CHECK_AUTHORIZATION,
CHECK_PROCESS_DATE
Method Conventions
The parameters are observed from the point of view of the methods, which
implemented them:
IMPORTING-Parameter IM_<parameter name>

EXPORTING-Parameter EX_<parameter name>
CHANGING-Parameter CH_<parameter name>
RESULT RE_<result>
EXCEPTIONS See "Exceptions"
Exceptions
The developer"s job is made easier when standards for the naming of exceptions
are available. The following is a table of meaningful exceptions, which can also
be used generically.
(Example: ...NOT_FOUND could become DATE_NOT_FOUND)
EXCEPTION MEANING
ACTION NOT
The requested action or the requested OK-Code is not supported
SUPPORTED
This EXCEPTION can be set if the user is required to select what
CANCELLED happens next in a method (for example: Selection List) and he/she selects
"Cancel".
EXISTING A new object already exists in the database.
The methods could not carry out your task because of the present state of
the environment. This exception is especially intended for cases where
FAILED
the environment is temporarily in a situation that does not allow the
method tasks to be carried out.
A sub function of the method could not be carried out because of the
..._FAILED present state of the environment. (OPEN_FAILED, CLOSE_FAILED,
SELECTION_FAILED, AUTHORIZATION_FAILED)
FOREIGN_LOCK Other users lock data.
INCONSISTENT Object data in the database is inconsistent.
..._INCONSISTENT The sub-object data of an object in the database is inconsistent.
The object data entered is not correct. (e.g. Company Code is not
INVALID
available) (in contrast to NOT_QUALIFIED)
The given sub-object data of an object is not correct. (In contrast to
..._INVALID
NOT_QUALIFIED)
The last resort. If all else fails and the error can no longer be contained,
INTERNAL_ERROR
apply this EXCEPTION.
NOT_AUTHORIZED The user does not have authorization for this action.
NOT_CUSTOMIZED The object requested is not correctly customized.
..._NOT_CUSTOMIZED The sub-object of the object requested is not correctly customized.
NOT_FOUND The requested object has not been found.
..._NOT_FOUND The sub-object of the object requested has not been found.
The combination of input parameters is not sufficient to allow the
NOT_QUALIFIED
method"s functions to be carried out. (In contrast to INVALID)
..._NOT_QUALIFIED A specific parameter of the method is not qualified
NUMBER_ERROR Error in the provision of numbers.
This exception can be set where the Basis System registers an unexpected
SYSTEM_ERROR
error code.
Please note:
SAP Basis Technology is presently implementing class-based exception handling
like we have in JAVA. The error classes – from the development point of view a
welcome simplification of error handling, which is clearly preferred – should
then replace EXCEPTION-handling as we use it now. This will however not be
available for 4.6c. A standardized usage of the EXCEPTIONS named above will
simplify the move to this error class and allow a part-automated move.
This new class-based exception handling is scheduled to be implemented and
delivered with Basis Rel. 6.10 as part of R/3 Core release 4.7 (R/3 Enterprise).
Availability not before Q2 2002.
VIII. TIPS & TRICKS
ABAP: Passing unknown table structures into functions
Typically function modules must specify the exact structure of each parameter they are passed,
hence runtime structures cannot be handled easily in normal function module creation.
However, by using the ABAP programming construct ASSIGN COMPONENT idx OF STRUCTURE
record to <FS>, a function can determine the structure of a record. For an example of how to
develop a function to do this refer to function Z_LIST_SELECT_OPTIONS which reads the
structure of a RANGES table in a SELECT-OPTION parameter.
ABAP: Multi-dimensional arrays
Support for one and two-dimensional arrays within ABAP is provided through the use of internal
tables. However, in the case of a 3-dimensional array, ABAP has no native programming
constructs. While a method could be devised to index a 3-dimensional array via internal tables,
the following code fragment demonstrates an alternative approach using field symbols as
pointers into data structures:
* This code fragment illustrates the use of a field symbol

* and an ASSIGN statement to get the effect of having
* multi-dimensional subscripted arrays. There are several
* costs of this method. One is performance and the other
* is that EVERY cell in the multi-dimensional array
* must be declared in a DATA (or CONSTANT, etc.) statement
* at the beginning of the program.
* Using this method, you would have to have DATA statements

* like the following four for EACH CELL of the
* multi-dimensional array.
DATA: VARA_001_005_006(11) VALUE 'Some value!'.
DATA: VARA_002_005_006(11) VALUE 'Other value'.
DATA: VARA_003_005_006(11) VALUE 'Next value!'.
DATA: VARA_004_005_006(11) VALUE 'The target!'.
DATA: BEGIN OF POINTER,
STEM(5) TYPE C VALUE 'vara_',
PART1(3) TYPE N,
SEP1(1) TYPE C VALUE '_',

PART2(3) TYPE N,
SEP2(1) TYPE C VALUE '_',
PART3(3) TYPE N,
END OF POINTER.
DATA POINTER_DEFAULT(11) VALUE 'The default'.
FIELD-SYMBOLS: <INDIRECT>.
* This is the example of using the multi-dimensional array in

* the body of a program. You would have to have use something
* like the following PERFORM for each change to the
* subscripts in a reference to the multi-subscripted
variable.
PERFORM ASSIGN_POINTER_3 USING 'vara_' 4 5 6.
WRITE: / 'Indirectly referencing through pointer,

we get:', <INDIRECT>.

we get:', <INDIRECT>

we get:', <INDIRECT>.
FORM ASSIGN_POINTER_3 USING STEM SUB1 SUB2 SUB3 .
POINTER-STEM = STEM.
POINTER-PART1 = SUB1.
ASSIGN (POINTER) TO <INDIRECT>.
IF SY-SUBRC <> 0.
ASSIGN POINTER_DEFAULT TO <INDIRECT>.
ENDIF.
ENDFORM. " ASSIGN_POINTER_3

ABAP: Type coercion
Type coercion is typically defined as the means to force a variable of one type to be another
type. In ABAP programming, type coercion is most useful for the ASCII conversion of character
data. The following code fragment is an example of coercion which outputs ASCII character
data:
data: begin of hex,

byte type x,
end of hex.
data: char type c.
data: temp like sy-index.
do 224 times.
temp = sy-index + 31.
hex-byte = temp.
char = hex.
write: / 'Decimal =', temp.

write: 'Hex =', hex-byte.
write: 'View =', char.
enddo.
BDC: Formatting date fields to be compatible with user preferences
When writing BDCs that read dates to be entered into SAP transactions (either by generating
batch input sessions or by using call transaction) problems occur when determining what date
format to use when entering the data into its corresponding field. Assume that the ABAP
program that must call the transaction (or generates the batch input session) can read the
'date' field properly from the input file, but it does not know which format the data entry screen
of the transaction requires as this may change based on the user"s setup defaults.
The current best approach to solving this problem is:
1. Declare a date variable in the interface program to be LIKE SY-DATUM.

2. Then, store the date (read from the input file) in the date variable in the correct internal
form (YYYYMMDD).
3. Write that date variable to a character string variable.
4. Use the character string variable as the value of the date field in the transaction screen
BDC: Formatting a number to be compatible with user preferences
When writing BDCs that read numbers to be entered into SAP transactions (either by generating
batch input sessions or by using call transaction) problems occur when determining what
number format to use when entering the data into its corresponding field. Assume that the
ABAP program that must call the transaction (or generates the batch input session) can read
the 'number' field properly from the input file, but it does not know which format the data entry
screen of the transaction requires as this may change based on the user"s setup defaults.
The current best approach to solving this problem is explained by the following example code:
* Assume we have a numeric value in the variable "Amount" and

we
* want to format it into the variable "String" for entry into
a
* transaction field.
data amount like bseg-wrbtr.
data string(20).
data temp(2).
write amount to string currency 'USD'.
* String+19(1) is a possible minus sign

* String+17(2) is the number of cents
* String+16(1) is the decimal point
* String+13(3) is the three digits to the left of decimal
* String+12(1) is a possible thousands separator
temp = string+12(1). " String is 20 chars. 20 - 8 = 12
* If there are any thousands separators, change them to

spaces.
if temp(1) cn '0123456789'.
translate string using temp.
endif.
* Remove any spaces
condense string no-gaps.

Conversions: Legacy-to-SAP cost objects and G/L accounts
Prior to our 4.5B upgrade, we had programs and interfaces which converted MIT legacy cost
objects and accounts to the corresponding SAP account or object. Two custom MIT function
modules were developed for use in this conversion process. We are no longer converting from
the legacy system to SAP. The function modules have been modified so that they will raise an
exception if asked to convert from the legacy architecture. As code is modified, calls to these
function modules should be removed. The names of these function modules are
Z_GET_COST_OBJECT and Z_GET_GL_ACCOUNT.
UNIX : Calling UNIX commands and scripts from ABAP Programs
Often it is necessary to execute an external program as part of an ABAP program, however, you
should be very careful in doing so because any external command is executed as the UNIX user
<SID>adm. For example, if a program is written to call the command "rm" on the development
system it is executed at the system level as the user "sf2adm".
For an example of how to call UNIX system commands, look at program ZUNIXCMD on system
SF2. Remember, you can call external programs either synchronously so that your ABAP
program will wait until they complete before continuing, or you can call them asynchronously so
that your ABAP program will continue execution immediately.
Earlier programs written at MIT used the "CALL SYSTEM" command. In the future, this
command should not be included in any new programs and should be removed from existing
programs when they are revised.
Appendix A: Sample Programs

Basic ABAP/4 List Report
REPORT ZSKELREP.
*------------------------------------------------------------
----
* Purpose:
*
*
*
*------------------------------------------------------------
----
* Author:
* Date:
*------------------------------------------------------------
----
* Revision History:
*
*------------------------------------------------------------
----
TABLES: ...
DATA: ...
SELECT-OPTIONS: ...
PARAMETERS: ...
FIELD-GROUPS: HEADER, ...
FIELD-SYMBOLS: ...
* Event which occurs before the selection screen is shown to

* the user.
INITIALIZATION.
* Event which occurs each time the user hits enter on the
* selection screen. This event is ignored in background
* processing.
AT SELECTION-SCREEN.
TOP-OF-PAGE.
END-OF-PAGE.
START-OF-SELECTION.
* Definition of fields for FIELD-GROUP extract

INSERT: ... INTO HEADER.
GET ...
END-OF-SELECTION.
SORT ...
LOOP ...
AT FIRST.
ENDAT.
AT NEW ...
ENDAT.
AT END OF ...
ENDAT.
AT LAST.
ENDAT.
ENDLOOP.
* Subroutines
*------------------------------------------------------------
----
*
*
*------------------------------------------------------------
----
FORM ...
ENDFORM.
Interactive ABAP/4 List Report
REPORT ZSKELINT.
*------------------------------------------------------------
----
* Purpose:
*
*
*------------------------------------------------------------
----
* Author:
* Date:
*------------------------------------------------------------
----
* Revision History:
*
*------------------------------------------------------------
----
TABLES: ...
DATA: ...
SELECT-OPTIONS: ...
PARAMETERS: ...
FIELD-SYMBOLS: ...
FIELD-GROUPS: ...
* Event which occurs before the selection screen is shown to

* the user.
INITIALIZATION.
* Event which occurs each time the user presses any button on
* the selection screen. This event is ignored in
* background processing.
AT SELECTION-SCREEN.
TOP-OF-PAGE.
* Top of page for sublists
TOP-OF-PAGE DURING LINE-SELECTION.

END-OF-PAGE.
START-OF-SELECTION.
GET ...
END-OF-SELECTION.
* Produce main list report SY-LSIND = 0.
SORT ...
LOOP...
WRITE:/ ...
* Hide specific fields which are of importance to the line
HIDE: ...
ENDLOOP.
* Event which occurs when user hits a particular F key, i.e.

F6
* The hide area and SY-LISEL are automatically available.
* Produces a sublist SY-LSIND = 1-9. F3 is automatic, will
always
* take the user back one list level, (SY-LSIND - 1).
AT PF...
* Event which occurs when a user types =LIST in the OK code

* Produces a sublist SY-LSIND = 1-9. F3 is automatic, will
always
AT USER-COMMAND.
CASE SY-UCOMM.
WHEN 'LIST'. .....
ENDCASE.
* Event which occurs when the user places the cursor on a
specific
* line on the report and hits F2, double-clicks a line, or
clicks
* on a hot spot.
* Produces a sublist SY-LSIND = 1-9. PF3 is automatic, will
always
AT LINE-SELECTION.
* Subroutines
*------------------------------------------------------------
----
*
*
*------------------------------------------------------------
----
FORM ...
ENDFORM.
Create a Sequential Dataset
REPORT ZSKELOUT.
*------------------------------------------------------------
----
* Purpose:
*
*
*
*------------------------------------------------------------
----
* Author:
* Date:
*------------------------------------------------------------
----
* Revision History:
*
*------------------------------------------------------------
----
TABLES: ...
DATA: ...
SELECT-OPTIONS: ...
PARAMETERS: ...
FIELD-SYMBOLS: ...
START-OF-SELECTION.
GET ...
MOVE ... TO ...
WRITE ... TO ...
UNPACK ... TO ...
TRANSFER ... TO ...
END-OF-SELECTION.
* Subroutines
*------------------------------------------------------------
----
*
*
*------------------------------------------------------------
----
FORM ...
ENDFORM.
Read Sequential Dataset and Create a BDC Session
report zskelbdc.
*-----------------------------------------------------
------------
* Purpose:
*
*
*-----------------------------------------------------
------------
* Author:
* Date:
*-----------------------------------------------------
------------
* Revision History:
*
*-----------------------------------------------------
------------
tables: ...
data: t_bdcdata like bdcdata occurs 0 with header

line.
data: t_messtab like bdcmsgcoll occurs 0 with header

line.
data: begin of t_tab occurs ...
end of t_tab.
select-options: ...
parameters: ...
field-symbols: ...
*-----------------------------------------------------
-----------*
start-of-selection.
open dataset p_dataset in text mode.
if sy-subrc <> 0.
write: / text-e00, sy-subrc.
stop.
endif.
*--- Open the BDC Session

---------------------------------------*
write: /(20) 'Create group'(i01), group.
skip.
call function 'BDC_OPEN_GROUP'
exporting client = sy-mandt

group = group
user = user
keep = keep
holddate = holddate.
write: /(30) 'BDC_OPEN_GROUP'(i02), (12)

'returncode:'(i05),
sy-subrc.
*----------- DYNPRO nnn

-----------------------------------------*
perform bdc_dynpro using 'SAPMxxxx' 'nnn'.
perform bdc_field using 'TABL-FIELD' 'LITERAL'.
*----------- DYNPRO nnn

-----------------------------------------*
perform bdc_field using 'TABL-FIELD' TAB-VAR.
*-----------------------------------------------------
-----------*
call function 'BDC_INSERT'
exporting tcode = tcode
tables dynprotab = t_bdcdata.
write: /(25) 'BDC_INSERT'(i03), tcode,
(12) 'returncode:'(i05), sy-subrc.
close dataset p_dataset.
*----- Close the BDC Session

-----------------------------------
call function 'BDC_CLOSE_GROUP'.
write: /(30) 'BDC_CLOSE_GROUP'(i04),
(12) 'returncode:'(i05), sy-subrc.

end-of-selection.
*-----------------------------------------------------
-----------
* Subroutines *
*-----------------------------------------------------
-----------
*--- Add a line to the DYNPRO Table
----------------------------
form bdc_dynpro using program dynpro.
clear t_bdcdata.
t_bdcdata-program = program.
t_bdcdata-dynpro = dynpro.
t_bdcdata-dynbegin = 'X'.
append t_bdcdata.
endform.
*--- Add a field to a DYNPRO

------------------------------------
form bdc_field using fnam fval.
clear t_bdcdata.
t_bdcdata-fnam = fnam.
t_bdcdata-fval = fval.
append t_bdcdata.
endform.
CALL TRANSACTION USING Technique
REPORT ZSKELCLT.
*-----------------------------------------------------
-----------
* Purpose:
*
*
*-----------------------------------------------------
------------
* Author:
* Date:
*-----------------------------------------------------
------------
* Revision History:
*
*-----------------------------------------------------
------------
tables: indx, ...
data: return_code like sy-subrc,
message_text(120).
data: begin of t_trantab occurs 10.
include structure bdcdata.
data: end of trantab.
select-options: ...
parameters: ...
field-symbols: ...
start-of-selection.
*----------- DYNPRO nnn

-----------------------------------------*
perform bdc_field using 'TABL-FIELD' 'LITERAL'.
*----------- DYNPRO nnn

-----------------------------------------*
perform bdc_field using 'TABL-FIELD' TAB-VAR.
*-----------------------------------------------------
-----------*
call transaction ' ' using t_trantab mode 'N' update

'S'.
* Message handling
return_code = sy-subrc.
data: message_text(80) type c.
MESSAGE ID SY-MSGID
TYPE 'S' NUMBER SY-MSGNO
WITH SY-MSGV1 SY-MSGV2 SY-MSGV3 SY-MSGV4 INTO
MESSAGE_TEXT.
if return_code = 0.
* At this point, various things can be done to make

the
* process slicker.
* Send the confirmation or error to the other program
via RFC.
* Store key values and confirmation document number or
error
* message in an internal table for future processing.
move 'Transaction posted' TO ...
move message_text to ...
modify ...
else.
move 'Transaction failed' to ...
move message_text to ...
modify ...
* In the event of errored transactions:

* Store the internal table in the INDX database for
future online
* processing of the SAP transaction.
export t_trantab to indx(..) id ...
endif.
* Or create a batch input session for future

processing.
refresh t_trantab.
end-of-selection.
*-----------------------------------------------------
-----------
* Subroutines *
*-----------------------------------------------------
-----------
*--- Add a line to the DYNPRO Table
----------------------------
form bdc_dynpro using program dynpro.
clear t_bdcdata.
t_bdcdata-program = program.
t_bdcdata-dynpro = dynpro.
t_bdcdata-dynbegin = 'X'.
append t_bdcdata.
endform.
*--- Add a field to a DYNPRO

------------------------------------
form bdc_field using fnam fval.
clear t_bdcdata.
t_bdcdata-fnam = fnam.
t_bdcdata-fval = fval.
append t_bdcdata.
endform.
Appendix B: Two-character codes for application areas
The following two-character abbreviations are used to identify certain projects or modules when
naming programming objects. . (Note that SAP has associated many two-character codes with
specific application areas, even though they do not appear in this list.)
Please do not use any code not listed here, and do not use a code for any application area other
than the one associated with the code in this list.
If you have an application area which is not listed here, please discuss the situation with
Technical Services Team Leader. He will talk with you and either determine that your project
should be classified as belonging to an application already listed here, or (after checking SAP-
assigned codes) he will assign a new code for the new application area.
2- Devel. Devel.
Character Application Class- Class-
Abbr. Name MIT Lincoln
Asset
AA ZKG0 .
Accounting
Accounting
AC . .
General
AP Advanced ZAP0 .
Planner and
Optimizer
Accounts
AR ZAR0 .
Receivable
Authorization ZSB0/
AU .
Checks ZR30
Basis
BC . .
Components
BD Broad Institute ZBD0
BP Buy-Pay ZSC0/ .
Process (incl. ZUT0/
Purchasing) ZSB0
Bridges /
BR ZBR0 .
Infrastructure
Budget
BU ZBUD0 .
(SAPBud)
Business
BW Information . .
Warehouse
CA**
Cashier's Office ZCS0 .
CS
Cross-
CA Application . .
Components
Change
CD . .
Documents
Ckeck Modules
(see the section
on
CK ZUT0 .
"Check Modules
for External
Commands")
CO Controlling ZKG0 .
CS ** Customer
. .
CU Service
Enterprise
Controlling
EC . .
(or Electronic
Commerce)
Environment,
EH Health & ZEH0 .
Safety
EP Internet Portal ZEP0
Extended
ER Relationship . .
Management
Enterprise
ES ZES0 .
Structure
(MIT) Credit
FC ZCC0 .
Card
FF Funds Center ZFF0 .
Financial
FI ZGL0 .
Accounting
GL General Ledger ZBR0 .
Human
HR ZHR0 .
Resources
Investment
IM . .
Management
Industry-
IS Specific . .
Components
SAP Knowledge
KM . .
Management
Labor
L* Distribution ZLD0 .
System
Logistics
LE . .
Execution
Logistics -
LO . .
General
Materials
MM . .
Management
mySAP.com
MP . .
Marketplace
MS Mobile Sales . .
Personnel
PA . .
Management
Training and
PE Event ZPE0 .
Management
Plant
PM ZPM0 ZLCP1_PM0
Maintenance
Production
Planning and
PP Control ZPP0 .
(or Physical
Plant)
PS Project System ZSB0 .
Personnel Time
PT . .
Management
Payroll
PY ZPY0 .
Accounting
Quality
QM . .
Management
R3 MIT Basis ZR30 .
Real Estate
RE ZRE0 .
Management
RQ Requisitions . .
Sales and
SD ZSB0 .
Distribution
Strategic
SE Enterprise . .
Management
SV Service . .
TR **
Treasury . .
TY
TR Travel ZTR0 .
Time Sheet
TS . .
(CATS Related)
Utilities and
UT ZUT0 .
Tools
WF Workflow ZWF0 .
(MIT) Data
WH ZWH0 .
Warehouse
WP mySAP.com . .
Workplace
XX Miscellaneous . .
IMG
. ZLCP1_IMG
Documentation
** should NOT be used for new programs created after October 1, 2001.
Appendix C: Development Classes
SAP Repository objects are classified according to development classes. It is recommended that
functionally related objects (such as programs, dictionary components, message classes, etc...)
be grouped together by development class. For example, code development for Accounts
Payable would be in development class ZAP0. This structuring of the SAP object repository
facilitates the control and recording of development efforts.
Please consult with Technical Services Team < tech-services@mit.edu > regarding the creation
of new development classes or the uses of existing classes.
DEVEL.
DESCRIPTION
CLASS
Z001 Customer Development Class

ZAP0 Accounts Payable
ZAR0 Accounts Receivable
ZBC404 ABAP Object Class
ZBD0 Broad Institute
Business Framework Architecture:
ZBF0
Customer Development
ZBFA Business Framework Architecture
ZBP0 Buy/Pay
ZBR0 Bridges and Feeds
ZBR1 ABAP Bridges and Feeds
ZBUD0 Budget project (SAPBud)
ZCC0 Credit Card Processing
ZCS0 Cashier Office
ZCT0 Computer Aided Test Tools
ZED0 EDI
ZEH0 Environment, Health & Safety
ZEP0 Internet Portal
ZES0 Multiple Enterprise Structure
ZEI0 EIS
ZFF0 Fund Center: custom development
ZFX0 Field Exits: Customer Development
ZGL0 General Ledger
ZGN0 General/Miscellaneous
H/R Application: Customer
ZHR0
Development
ZIF0 ITS Financial
ZKA0 Availability checking in CO
ZKG0 Controlling
ZLD0 Labor Distribution System
ZPE0 Training and Events Management
ZPM0 Plant Maintenance
ZPP0 Physical Plant
Payroll Accounting (Employee and
ZPY0
Pension)
ZR30 R/3 Administration
R/3 Administration: SAP
ZR31
Tools/Development
Real Estate Management:
ZRE0
Customer Development
ZRF0 Remote Function
ZRV0 Technology Review Development
ZSB0 Sponsored Billing
ZSC0 SAPScript/Word Processing
ZSL0 Sloan School Support
ZSP0 SPO Legacy Link Program Product
ZTR0 Travel
SPO Bridge Development Program
ZUS0
Product
ZUT0 Tools & Utilities
ZUT1 Tools & Utilities for EDI
ZWB0 SAP Workbench Training: Instructor
ZWB1 SAP Workbench Training: Workshop
ZWF0 SAP Business Workflow
ZWH0 Data Warehouse
ZZZ0 Obsolete Programs
Notes:
• The development class Z001 is an SAP example and it should not be used to classify MIT
objects.
• The Development classes ZBR1, ZGN0, and ZSPO are obsolete and should not be used
to classify any new development object.
• The Development classes ZWB0 and ZWB1 are meant to be specific to objects related to
MIT's ABAP workshops. Such objects should not be transported into our test, production,
or training environments.
Appendix D: Approval process for Direct Update to SAP table & SAP source
code modification
Very rarely, a business scenario arises for which the most viable solution is to write code that
directly updates SAP table data ("Direct Update") or to make a modification to SAP source code
("Mod"). Our rule is to avoid doing either. Below is process for a developer to follow if he/she
facing a situtation where a Direct Update or Mod is needed:
1. Prepare the business justification as to why a Direct Update to an SAP table or Mod to
SAP code is needed.
2. Identify the risks of doing the Direct Update or Mod.
3. Identify alternatives.
4. Analyze the impact & cost of not doing the Direct Update or Mod.
5. Make the presentation to the Technical Services Team Leader.
6. Depending upon the scope of the Direct Update or Mod, further approval might be
required by AD-Leadership Team, Director or VP of IS&T.

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IV.

SELECT * FROM table WHERE

field1 EQ sg-field2 AND

Steps to make a program obsolete:

6. Transport the changes made to SF5 and Production.

Utilities -> Block/buffer -> Insert comment * to make all the

* NOTE: you cannot comment out the key lines Function/Endfunction.

MESSAGE ID 'ZZ' TYPE 'X' NUMBER '132' WITH 'Function module'

Function module -> Release -> Object obsolete

Here is an example showing steps 4b, 4c & 4d:

MESSAGE ID 'ZZ' TYPE 'X' NUMBER '132' WITH

Guidelines For Deleting Old/Unused ABAP Code

4. (If applicable) When an algorithm or general approach is changed, comments should be

When choosing an existing authorization group to assign to a program, especially a program

Authorizations : Usage of SAP objects

Restricting Access to HR Data

1. Use function module HR_READ_INFOTYPE instead of direct SELECT statements when

Dates : Output in reports (Year 2000 compliance)

Interface : Field sizes and layouts in data files

Interface : Dropbox mechanism for file interfaces

Detailed documentation on how to use this mechanism is located at

What SAP application programmers do to process inbound files

More information on processing inbound files (pdf).

What SAP application programmers do to process outbound files

More information on processing outbound files (pdf).

Interface : Inbound interface filename determination from event

Jobs : Tracking status using ZJOBRUN2

Here is the layout of the ZJOBRUN2 table:

FIELD DESCRIPTION SAMPLE RECORD

PROVIDER File Transfer Provider ehse

FEED File transfer Feed Code trq

BATCH Sequential number of the job run 145

DATUM Date of run 08/07/2004

UZEIT Time of run 06:30:13

PGNAM Program name ZPE_EXTRACT_TO_EHSWEB

FILE File Name dehsetrq.145.20040807063013

TIME File Time Stamp 20040807063013

EXTRD Date of Extract Creation 08/07/2004

EXTRT Time of Extract Creation 06:30:13

RECCOUNT Record counter – number processed 589

CREDIT Total Credits (if applicable) 116.00

DEBIT Total Debits (if applicable) 473.00

CNTRLREC Control Record 589

CTRL_CREDIT Total control Credits (if applicable) 116.00

CTRL_DEBIT Total control Debits (if applicable) 473.00

ERRCOUNT Error Counter – number or error 0

ERR_CREDIT Total error credits (if applicable) 0.00

ERR_DEBIT Total error debits (if applicable) 0.00

ERRFILE Error File – location of error file on

CURCY Currency Key USD

FILSTAT File Status G

TEXT Text – any additional text info

UNAME User who executed the job ZZPEBATCH001

Master Data: Searching for a person's name in master data

Master Data: Determining Cost Object Type, Company, and Validity

Function Module Z_CO_GET_COST_OBJECT_TYPE can be used to determine the type

Termination Codes in Cost Objects

* = Was used to indicate a restricted state in the MIT classic system

Function module Z_CO_GET_COST_OBJECT_TYPE was originally written to return the type

Attempts to post charges or credits to terminated (TermCode = 3, ZSTATUS = T) cost objects

Dictionary: Table development standards

1. Table naming convention

Flag if maintenance with Data Browser (Transaction SE16) is allowed.

If the data records of the table can only be maintained by program or