Teaching ERP Programming Using SAP ABAP/4

Abstract

In this chapter, a teaching pedagogy for ERP programming using SAP ABAP/4 is presented. While object-oriented (OO) programming techniques have received increasing attention in new ERP module development, learning and mastering of traditional ABAP/4 code will continue to play an important role especially in maintaining SAP R/3 systems for necessary extensions that are required to meet end-user needs of SAP adopters. The pedagogy presented is essentially a three-threaded teaching approach that involves a stepwise learning of ABAP/4, selective hands-on investigation of SAP R/3 modules, and an accumulative simulation of a simpli?ed R/3 module. A simple ABAP/4 program is also presented to highlight how an online report could be easily generated through using both internal tables and the sample database (?ight) available in SAP R/3. Limitations, suggestions, and future trend of ABAP/4 application development are also addressed with a concluding remark.