Java and BAPI Technology for SAP

Table of contents

Introduction

Section 1: The Basics

The Roles of Java in the ERP Industry

What Can Java Presently Do?

What Are SAP Plans for the Near-Term Future for Java

Other ERP Vendors Support for Java

SAP Automation Architecture

Overview of SAP Architecture

Automation Component Description

GUI Interfaces

RFC and BAPI Interfaces

Integration of Components

VisualAge for Java

General Product Information and Features

Differences to SAP Java RFC Kit

Creating Applets

Generating Java Beans

Access Builder

Setting up the Development and Operating Environments

Hardware Architecture Overview

Setting up the Java NT Server

Setting up the Java Client

Compiler Setup

Alternative Software Packages

A Simple Material Report Example

Defining the Report

Building the Program

Compiling the Program

Dealing with Errors during Compilation

Execution of the Program

Simple Debugging Techniques

Object Oriented Programming Concepts

Definition of an Object

Messages

Classes

Inheritance

The Basics of the Java Language

Variables and Data Types

Variable Types

Variable Names

Scope

Operators

Arithmetic Operators

Relational and Conditional Operators

Bitwise Operators

Assignment Operators

Expressions

Control Flow Statements

The if-else Statement

The switch Statement

Loop Statement

Exception Handling Statements

Branching Statements

Arrays and Strings

Arrays

Strings

Other Features

Objects, Classes and Interfaces

Creating and Using Objects

Declaring an Object

Instantiating an Object

Initializing an Object

Referencing an Object's Variables

Calling an Object's Methods

Garbage Collection

Creating and Using Classes

Declaring a Class

The Class Body

Declaring Member Variables

Implmenting Methods

Controlling Access to embers of a Class

Constructors

Subclasses, SuperClasses and Inheritance

Creating and Using Interfaces

Defining an Interface

Implementing an Interface

Creating and Using Packages

Building a Simple User Interface

The Abstract Windowing Toolkit

User-Interface Components

Interface Layout

Handling Events

Java Beans, Applets and the Internet

What is a JavaBean

Creating a JavaBean

Working with other JavaBeans

Difference between an Application and an Applet

Creating and Using Applets

Applet Security

Connecting, reading and writing from a URL

Sockets

Examples

Section 2: Using Java with SAP

Using Java through RFCs and BAPIs

Initialization

Establishing the Connection

Using the RFC Parameter Interface

Working with Metadata

Working with Tables, Rows, and Cursors

Managing Parameters

Handling Exceptions and Errors

Multi-Threading

SAP's Business Object Repository (BOR)

Introduction of the Business Object Repository

Navigation through the BOR

Getting All of the Necessary Information about a BAPI

Import and Export Variables

Exception Handling

Finding Function Modules that Are Not Part of the BOR

Using Java through the GUI Interface

Overview of Different GUI Access Methods

GUI Library

GUI Component

Using the Repository

Connecting to SAP

Working Offline

Common Methods

Common Properties

Common Return Values

Internet Transaction Server

Basics of ITS

Transaction flow

Reporting

Web RFC Access

Web Studio

Development Environment

Deciding Which Way to Develop an Application

GUI-based Java

RFC/BAPI Based Java

Internet Transaction Server

Other Object Orientated Languages

C++

Visual Basic

Design Considerations for HTML/RFC-based SAP Interfaces

Language Independence

Browser Independence

Caching of Data

Synchronization of Data

Connection Time

Security

Developing New ABAP/4 RFCs for Use by Java

Overview of RFC & BAPIs

Building the Function Module

Parameter Passing

Exception Handling

RFCDES Definition

Example

Section 3: Details on JAVA RFC and BAPI Connections

Interface Description for com.sap.rfc

ConnectionListener

IComplexField

IComplexParam

Icursor

Ifield

IfielInfo

IimpExpParam

Iparameter

IrfcConnection

IrfcConnctionFactory

IrfcModule

IrfcModuleFactory

Irow

Isimple

Isimplefactory

Isimplefield

Isimpleparam

Istructure

IstructureFactory

Itable

ItableFactory

MethodListener

Exception Handling

Class Description for com.sap.rfc

ComplexInfo

ConnectInfo

ConnectionEvent

Factory Manager

Method Event

MiddlewareInfo

SimpleInfo

SystemInfo

UserInfo

Exception Handling

BAPI Collection

CCMS

Financial Accounting

Human Resources

Logistics

Basis/CA

Appendices

List of Tools and Useful Websites

HTML Reference

ABAP/4 Data Types to Java Cross Reference

Glossary of Terms