Category: ABAP Programs

What are SAP ABAP Projects, and why do we need them?

SAP ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming) is a programming language used to develop applications for the SAP software platform. SAP ABAP projects are collections of development objects and programs that are created, tested, and deployed as a unit.

There are several reasons why SAP ABAP projects are necessary:

1. Organization: SAP ABAP projects provide a structured way to organize and manage development objects and programs. This makes it easier to keep track of changes, collaborate with team members, and manage version control.
2. Reusability: SAP ABAP projects make it easier to reuse code and development objects across different projects. This reduces the time and effort required for development and maintenance and helps ensure consistency and quality in the code.
3. Deployment: SAP ABAP projects provide a convenient way to deploy code and development objects from one system to another. This makes it easier to test and roll out changes to production systems.
4. Integration: SAP ABAP projects enable integration with other SAP components and systems, such as SAP HANA and SAP Fiori. This allows for the development of custom applications that can interact with other SAP systems and components.

Overall, SAP ABAP projects are an essential tool for organizations that use SAP software, as they help streamline and optimize the development, deployment, and management of custom applications.

How to do setup for SAP ABAP Development IDE?

How to use ChatGPT to create an SAP ABAP Project?

Step 01: Visit ChatGPT Portal: https://chat.openai.com/chat

Step 02: Type your query; you can ask regarding a single step related to your UI5 issue or can ask ChatGPT to generate code for the entire project. We will ask ChatGPT to create a project with table forms and CRUD operations.

Step 03: We asked ChatGPT to create an SAP ABAP Report that takes two input and have the option to do sum, subtraction, multiple, and deletion of the entered numbers. We got the given output:

Here is an example of an SAP ABAP report that takes two input values, performs arithmetic operations on them based on the user’s selection, and outputs the result (In our case, we have create a Report in SE38 and named it ZCHATGPTGEN):

REPORT ZCHATGPTGEN.


PARAMETERS p_num1 TYPE n.
PARAMETERS p_num2 TYPE n.

CONSTANTS : rbSelected TYPE c LENGTH 1 VALUE 'X'.

DATA : p_txt type c LENGTH 100.

SELECTION-SCREEN BEGIN OF BLOCK frame1 WITH FRAME TITLE text-001.
  SELECTION-SCREEN ULINE /10(40).

  SELECTION-SCREEN BEGIN OF LINE.
    SELECTION-SCREEN POSITION 15.
    PARAMETERS: rb1 RADIOBUTTON GROUP rb.
    SELECTION-SCREEN COMMENT 20(30) text-002.
  SELECTION-SCREEN END OF LINE.

  SELECTION-SCREEN BEGIN OF LINE.
    SELECTION-SCREEN POSITION 15.
    PARAMETERS: rb2 RADIOBUTTON GROUP rb.
    SELECTION-SCREEN COMMENT 20(30) text-003.
  SELECTION-SCREEN END OF LINE.

  SELECTION-SCREEN BEGIN OF LINE.
    SELECTION-SCREEN POSITION 15.
    PARAMETERS: rb3 RADIOBUTTON GROUP rb.
    SELECTION-SCREEN COMMENT 20(30) text-004.
  SELECTION-SCREEN END OF LINE.

   SELECTION-SCREEN BEGIN OF LINE.
    SELECTION-SCREEN POSITION 15.
    PARAMETERS: rb4 RADIOBUTTON GROUP rb.
    SELECTION-SCREEN COMMENT 20(30) text-005.
  SELECTION-SCREEN END OF LINE.

  SELECTION-SCREEN ULINE /10(40).
SELECTION-SCREEN END OF BLOCK frame1.

DATA: l_result TYPE n.

START-OF-SELECTION.
IF rb1 = rbSelected.
   l_result = p_num1 + p_num2.
ELSEIF rb2 = rbSelected.
   l_result = p_num1 - p_num2.
ELSEIF rb3 = rbSelected.
  l_result = p_num1 * p_num2.
  ELSEIF rb4 = rbSelected.
  IF p_num2 = 0.
        MESSAGE 'Division by zero is not allowed!' TYPE 'E'.
        LEAVE TO SCREEN 0.
      ENDIF.
      l_result = p_num1 / p_num2.
ENDIF.


  WRITE: / 'Result:', l_result.

Output

How will ChatGPT impact ABAPer Life and Jobs?

As a language model, OpenAI’s GPT-3, including ChatGPT, has the potential to impact various aspects of the lives and jobs of ABAP developers. Here are a few ways in which it could have an impact:

1. Automation of repetitive tasks: GPT-3 has the ability to perform repetitive tasks, such as coding and testing, quickly and accurately. This could lead to increased efficiency and productivity, freeing up time for ABAP developers to focus on more complex and strategic tasks.
2. Improved accuracy and quality of code: GPT-3 can provide suggestions and generate code based on natural language input. This can help reduce the likelihood of errors and improve the overall quality of the code.
3. Assistance with documentation: GPT-3 can assist with documentation and help create comprehensive and accurate documentation for ABAP projects.
4. Knowledge transfer: GPT-3 can help with knowledge transfer between team members and across organizations. This can help ensure that important information and best practices are shared and retained.
5. New job opportunities: GPT-3 can also create new job opportunities, such as roles focused on developing and integrating AI solutions into SAP systems.

It is important to note that while GPT-3 has the potential to impact ABAP developers in a number of positive ways, it is also important for organizations to consider the potential challenges and limitations of using AI technologies. Additionally, as with any technology, it is crucial for ABAP developers to continually upskill and adapt to new technologies and developments in the field.

Introduction

A general idea of how to integrate ChatGPT with SAP ABAP:

1. First, you would need to have access to an instance of the ChatGPT model, either through the OpenAI API or by running the model locally.
2. Next, you would need to create an ABAP program that calls the ChatGPT API and passes it input text, such as a user’s question.
3. The program would then need to handle the API response and parse the generated text output.
4. Finally, the program would need to display the generated text in an appropriate format, such as in an SAP GUI screen or in an output file.

Here’s an example of some code that could be used in an ABAP program to call the OpenAI API and get a response from ChatGPT:

CALL FUNCTION 'HTTP_POST'
  EXPORTING
    url = 'https://api.openai.com/v1/engines/davinci/completions'
    encoding = 'UTF-8'
  IMPORTING
    response = l_response
  CHANGING
    data = l_data
    headers = l_headers
  EXCEPTIONS
    http_communication_failure = 1
    http_invalid_state = 2
    http_processing_failed = 3
    OTHERS = 4.

How to Integrate ChatGPT in SAP ABAP

As shown in below image, we will follow three simple steps to integrate ChatGPT APIs within SAP ABAP Report.

1. Get API of Open AI

We have already discussed all the steps involved regarding API creation in this article.

2. Create ABAP Report

Go to SE38, and create a new ABAP Report. Create one Input Parameter as shown below:

3. Integrate ChatGPT Call

Write the given code in your report:

REPORT ZCHATGPT.

PARAMETERS: l_ques type string.

data: l_response type string,
      l_data type string,
      lv_payload_x type xstring,
      l_max_tokens type i.

"l_ques = 'What is the meaning of life?'. EXAMPLE
l_max_tokens = 50.
l_data = '{' && '"prompt":' && '"' && l_ques && '",' && '"max_tokens":' && l_max_tokens && '}'.

CALL FUNCTION 'SCMS_STRING_TO_XSTRING'
EXPORTING
text = l_data
IMPORTING
buffer = lv_payload_x.

   DATA: lo_http_client TYPE REF TO if_http_client.
    DATA: response TYPE string,
          lv_auth  TYPE string.
    CONSTANTS : lv_url TYPE string VALUE 'https://api.openai.com/v1/engines/davinci/completions'.


      "create HTTP client by url
      CALL METHOD cl_http_client=>create_by_url
        EXPORTING
          url                = lv_url
        IMPORTING
          client             = lo_http_client
        EXCEPTIONS
          argument_not_found = 1
          plugin_not_active  = 2
          internal_error     = 3
          OTHERS             = 4.

      IF sy-subrc <> 0.
        "error handling
      ENDIF.

      "setting request method
      lo_http_client->request->set_method('POST').

      "adding headers
      lo_http_client->request->set_header_field( name = 'Content-Type' value = 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded' ).
      lo_http_client->request->set_header_field( name = 'Accept' value = 'application/json' ).
      lo_http_client->request->set_header_field( name = 'Authorization' value = 'Bearer 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' ).

      lo_http_client->request->set_form_field(
  EXPORTING
    name  = 'prompt'                    " Name of form field
    value =   l_ques   ).


      "lo_http_client->request->set_data( lv_payload_x ).

      "Available Security Schemes for productive API Endpoints
      "OAuth 2.0

      CALL METHOD lo_http_client->send
        EXCEPTIONS
          http_communication_failure = 1
          http_invalid_state         = 2
          http_processing_failed     = 3
          http_invalid_timeout       = 4
          OTHERS                     = 5.

      IF sy-subrc = 0.
        CALL METHOD lo_http_client->receive
          EXCEPTIONS
            http_communication_failure = 1
            http_invalid_state         = 2
            http_processing_failed     = 3
            OTHERS                     = 5.
      ENDIF.

      IF sy-subrc <> 0.
        "error handling
        response = lo_http_client->response->get_cdata( ).
        l_response = response.
      ELSE.
        response = lo_http_client->response->get_cdata( ).
        IF response IS NOT INITIAL.
          l_response = response.
        ELSE.
          l_response = 'Call was successful, but got no response'.
        ENDIF.
      ENDIF.

WRITE l_response.

Code Explanation

Here, I have added variables l_question and l_max_tokens to hold the user’s question and the maximum token value, respectively. I have then added these values to the l_data variable, which is passed as the data parameter in the HTTP_POST call. The response variable l_response will hold the generated text as a result of the API call.

Here, I have created an object of class if_http_client and added the headers using the add_header_field method. Then i have passed this object as a parameter ‘manager’ in the ‘HTTP_POST’ call.

It’s important to note that the format of the data passed to the OpenAI API must be in JSON format, so that’s why I have added the prompt and max_tokens in JSON format in the l_data variable.

Remember to replace <YOUR_API_KEY> with the API key that you have generated using the Open AI platform.

Output Screen

Tutorial Video

You can watch the video below to learn implementation:

Preface – This post is part of the ABAP Programs series.

DATA: ls_parameter TYPE /iwbep/s_mgw_name_value_pair,
      lv_custid    TYPE kunnr,
      lv_flag      TYPE char1,
      lt_custinfo  TYPE TABLE OF ztest_gw_srv,
      ls_custinfo  TYPE ztest_gw_srv,
      ls_entity    TYPE zcl_ztest_gw_srv_mpc=>ts_msg_return.


    IF iv_action_name = 'demoFuncImport'. " Check what action is being requested
      IF it_parameter IS NOT INITIAL.

* Read Function import parameter value
        READ TABLE it_parameter INTO ls_parameter WITH KEY name = 'CustId'.
        IF sy-subrc = 0.
          lv_custid = ls_parameter-value.
        ENDIF.

        READ TABLE it_parameter INTO ls_parameter WITH KEY name = 'Approved_Flag'.
        IF sy-subrc = 0.
          lv_flag = ls_parameter-value.
        ENDIF.

        IF  lv_custid IS NOT INITIAL.
          UPDATE ztest_gw_srv SET approved = lv_flag WHERE cust_id = lv_custid.
          IF sy-subrc = 0.
            ls_entity-type   = 'S'.
            ls_entity-message = 'Customer info successfully approved'.
          ELSE.
            ls_entity-type   = 'E'.
            ls_entity-message = 'Error'.
          ENDIF.


* Call method copy_data_to_ref and export entity set data
          copy_data_to_ref( EXPORTING is_data = ls_entity
                  CHANGING cr_data = er_data ).

        ENDIF.
      ENDIF.
    ENDIF.

Preface – This post is part of the ABAP Programs series.

 TYPES:
        BEGIN OF t_entry,
          access_token TYPE string,
          token_type   TYPE string,
          expires_in   TYPE n LENGTH 8,
          scope        TYPE string,
          jti          TYPE string,
        END OF t_entry .
      TYPES:
        t_entry_map TYPE SORTED TABLE OF t_entry WITH UNIQUE KEY access_token.
      DATA: m_entries TYPE t_entry.

      DATA: lr_instance  TYPE REF TO  /ui5/cl_json_parser.
      CREATE OBJECT lr_instance.
      CALL METHOD me->get_token.
      IF gv_token IS NOT INITIAL.

*        data: itab TYPE TABLE OF string.
*        data: access_tok type string.
*        SPLIT gv_token at '"' INTO TABLE itab.
*        try.
*            lv_auth2 = itab[ 4 ].
*          catch cx_sy_itab_line_not_found.
*        ENDTRY.

        /ui2/cl_json=>deserialize(
        EXPORTING json = gv_token pretty_name = /ui2/cl_json=>pretty_mode-camel_case CHANGING data = m_entries ).
        lv_auth2 = m_entries-access_token.
        gv_token = gv_token+17.

Preface – This post is part of the ABAP Programs series.

In this step we will call the service to get the token and store that token in a global variable for later use.

METHOD get_token.
    DATA: lo_http_client TYPE REF TO if_http_client.
    DATA: response TYPE string,
          lv_url   TYPE string.
    CONSTANTS: lv_initial_url TYPE string VALUE '<Blockchain Service Link>',
               lv_auth        TYPE string VALUE 'Basic <your login credentials>'.
    "create HTTP client by url
    CALL METHOD cl_http_client=>create_by_url
      EXPORTING
        url                = lv_initial_url
      IMPORTING
        client             = lo_http_client
      EXCEPTIONS
        argument_not_found = 1
        plugin_not_active  = 2
        internal_error     = 3
        OTHERS             = 4.
    "Available API Endpoints
    "https://blockchain-service.cfapps.sap.hana.ondemand.com/blockchain/proofOfHistory/api/v1
    "https://blockchain-service.cfapps.eu10.hana.ondemand.com/blockchain/proofOfHistory/api/v1
    "https://blockchain-service.cfapps.us10.hana.ondemand.com/blockchain/proofOfHistory/api/v1
    IF sy-subrc <> 0.
      "error handling
    ENDIF.
    "setting request method
    lo_http_client->request->set_method('GET').
    "adding headers
    lo_http_client->request->set_header_field( name = 'Authorization' value = lv_auth ).
    "Available Security Schemes for productive API Endpoints
    "OAuth 2.0
    CALL METHOD lo_http_client->send
      EXCEPTIONS
        http_communication_failure = 1
        http_invalid_state         = 2
        http_processing_failed     = 3
        http_invalid_timeout       = 4
        OTHERS                     = 5.
    IF sy-subrc = 0.
      CALL METHOD lo_http_client->receive
        EXCEPTIONS
          http_communication_failure = 1
          http_invalid_state         = 2
          http_processing_failed     = 3
          OTHERS                     = 5.
    ENDIF.
    IF sy-subrc <> 0.
      "error handling
    ENDIF.
    response = lo_http_client->response->get_cdata( ).
   GV_TOKEN = response. "Global Variable
  ENDMETHOD.

Preface – This post is part of the ABAP Programs series.

In ABAP we can perform the following:

calculate_hash_for_raw

METHOD calculate_hash_for_raw.

    TRY.
        cl_abap_message_digest=>calculate_hash_for_raw(
          EXPORTING
            if_algorithm = 'SHA256'
            if_data      = iv_data
          IMPORTING
            ef_hashstring = ev_sha256
        ).
      CATCH cx_root.
        " Eh, what're you gonna do?
    ENDTRY.
  ENDMETHOD.

calculate_hash_for_string

METHOD calculate_hash_for_string.

    TRY.
        cl_abap_message_digest=>calculate_hash_for_char(
          EXPORTING
            if_algorithm = 'SHA256'
            if_data      = iv_data
          IMPORTING
            ef_hashstring = ev_sha256
        ).
      CATCH cx_root.
        " Eh, what're you gonna do?
    ENDTRY.
  ENDMETHOD.

Preface – This post is part of the ABAP Programs series.

Type Casting in ABAP Class

Note: If you are searching for basic type casting/conversion of ABAP variable in Reports/Program, click here.

Prerequisite:

1. You must have a basic Idea of local class and instance/reference of class.

2. Inheritance and Polymorphism concept

Note: Parent Class is also called base class and Child class is also called Sub class.

What is Static and Dynamic Type?

Before we talk about type casting, we need to know what are static Type and Dynamic type. Each reference variable has a dynamic type and a static type.

Suppose we have a class C1 and its child class C2.

So, in our program we will write following code to make reference and create object.

DATA: obj1 TYPE REF TO C1.

Here obj1 is our reference variable and C1 is the Static Type.

Thus anything that comes after TYPE REF TO is a static type because the object obj1 is pointing to fixed or static type [here class C1].

Now, in our code, we proceed as below:

CREATE OBJECT obj1.

In this line we actually point to the class C1 using our object obj1. This pointing is called Dynamic Type and it is pointing to C1 same as the static type above.

We can also write following code:

CREATE OBJETC obj1 TYPE C2.

In this line we are pointing to child class C2 of C1. This pointing is defined at runtime and called as Dynamic Type, and this time it is not same as the static type.

Thus we conclude that Dynamic type is defined at runtime of the program while static type is declared with the declaration of reference variable. Static type can be same as Dynamic type or less specific than it [it means, it can just point to the parents and not all the child unlike the dynamic type which can].

What is a Type casting?

Type Casting in ABAP is just like casting in other computer languages. It is one way of inheriting the properties from either base/parent class or sub/child class into one another. It is used to cast one data type, class or Interface into another data type, class or interface.

For data type casting, refer here.

Definition:

Type casting is a process of converting reference of class or interface to another, given both the class are from same hierarchy i.e. either one of them must be a parent class and the other a child class.

Syntax:

Destination_Ref = | ?= Source_Ref.

Some questions for you:

Why do we need Type casting?

How to achieve a type casting?

Example of Type casting

What are types of Type Casting?

Some Basic rules of type casting.