ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming) is a fourth-generation programming language used for the SAP R/3 system, aiming at application development.
Unlike directly running on an operating system, ABAP requires a set of programs to load inputs, interpret outputs, and cache data.
R/3 – Three-Tier Architecture
- Database Server
- Application Server
- Presentation Server
- The application server includes software components that can run within the SAP core and execute ABAP/4 programs. The ABAP Workbench serves as the development environment for the SAP R/3 system, fully integrating development tools with the data dictionary and programming language.
ABAP/4 Program Types
Executable Programs: Representing I program types and expressed with the ‘Report’ keyword.
INCLUDE Program: Representing I program types and expressed with the ‘INCLUDE’ keyword.
Module Pool/Dialogue Programs: Representing M type programs and expressed with the ‘PROGRAM’ keyword.
Sub-Routine Pool: Representing S type programs and expressed with the ‘PROGRAM’ keyword.
Interface Pool: Representing J program type and expressed with the ‘INTERFACE-POOL’ keyword.
Class Pool: Representing K program type and expressed with the ‘CLASS-POOL’ keyword.
Function Group: Representing F program type and expressed with the ‘FUNCTION-POOL’ keyword.
Type Group: Represents programs expressed with the ‘TYPE-POOL’ keyword.