SAP ABAP interview questions:

Question 1: What is the difference between User Exit and Function Exit?

User Exit Customer Exit

User exit is implemented in the form of a A customer exit can be implemented as:
Subroutine i.e. PERFORM xxx. Function exit
Example: INCLUDE MVF5AFZZ Screen Exit
PERFORM userexit_save_document_prepare. Menu Exit
Field Exit
Example: CALL Customer function ‘xxx’
INCLUDE xxx.
You modify this include.
In case of a PERFORM, you have access to almost You have access only to the importing, exporting,
all the data. So you have better control, but more changing and tables parameter of the Function
risk of making the system unstable. Module. So you have limited access to data.
User exit is considered a modification and not an A customer exit is considered an enhancement.
enhancement.
You need Access Key for User Exit. You do not need access key.
Changes are lost in case of an upgrade. Changes are upgrade compatible.
User exit is the earliest form of change option Customer exits came later and they overcome the
offered by SAP. shortcomings of User Exit.
No such thing is required here. To activate a function exit, you need to create a
project in SMOD and activate the project.

What is the difference between RFC and BAPI?

BAPI RFC
Just as Google offers Image/Chart/Map APIs OR RFC is nothing but a remote enabled function
Facebook offers APIs for Comment/Like, SAP offers module. So if there is a Function Module in SAP
APIs in the form of BAPIs. BAPI is a library of system 1 on server X , it can be called from a SAP
function modules released by SAP to the public so system 2 residing on server Y.
that they can interface with SAP.
There is a Business Object Associated with a BAPI. No Business Object is associated with a RFC.
So a BAPI has an Interface, Key Field, Attributes,
Methods, and Events.
Outside world (JAVA, VB, .Net or any Non SAP Non–SAP world cannot connect to SAP using RFC.
system) can connect to SAP using a BAPI.

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Error or Success messages are returned in a RFC does not have a return table.
RETURN table.

Question 3:What is the difference between SAPSCRIPT and SMARTFORM?

SAPSCRIPT SMARTFORM
SAPSCRIPT is client dependent. SMARTFORM is client independent.
SAPSCRIPT does not generate any Function SMARTFORM generates a Function Module when
module. activated.
Main Window is must. You can create a SMARTFORM without a Main
Window.
SAPSCRIPT can be converted to SMARTFORMS. SMARTFORMS cannot be converted to SCRIPT.
Use Program SF_MIGRATE.
Only one Page format is possible Multiple page formats are possible.
Such thing is not possible in SCRIPT. You can create multiple copies of a SMARTFORM
using the Copies Window.
PROTECT … ENDPROTECT command is used for The Protect Checkbox can be ticked for Page
Page protection. Protection.

The way SMARTFORM is developed and the way in which SCRIPT is developed is entirely different. Not
listing down those here. That would be too much.

Question 4:What is the difference between Call Transaction Method and the Session method ?

Session Method Call Transaction

Session method id generally used when the data Call transaction method is when the data volume
volume is huge. is low
Session method is slow as compared to Call Call Transaction method is relatively faster than
transaction. Session method.
SAP Database is updated when you process the SAP Database is updated during the execution of
sessions. You need to process the sessions the batch input program.
separately via SM35.
Errors are automatically handled during the Errors should be handled in the batch input
processing of the batch input session. program.

Question 5: What is the difference between BDC and BAPI?

BAPI BDC
BAPI is faster than BDC. BDC is relatively slower than BAPI.
BAPI directly updates database. BDC goes through all the screens as a normal
user would do and hence it is slower.
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No such processing options are available in BAPI. Background and Foreground processing options
are available for BDC.
BAPI would generally used for small data BDCs would be preferred for large volumes of
uploads. data upload since background processing option
is available.
For processing errors, the Return Parameters for Errors can be processed in SM35 for session
BAPI should be used.This parameter returns method and in the batch input program for Call
exception messages or success messages to the Transaction method.
calling program.

Question 6: What is the difference between macro and subroutine?

Macro Subroutine
Macro can be called only in the program it is Subroutine can be called from other programs
defined. also.
Macro can have maximum 9 parameters. Can have any number of parameters.
Macro can be called only after its definition. This is not true for Subroutine.
A macro is defined inside: Subroutine is defined inside:
DEFINE … FORM …..
…. …..
END-OF-DEFINITION. ENDFORM.
Macro is used when same thing is to be done in a Subroutine is used for modularization.
program a number of times.

Question 7: What is the difference between SAP memory and ABAP memory?

SAP Memory ABAP Memory

When you are using the SET/GET Parameter ID When you are using the EXPORT IMPORT
command, you are using the SAP Memory. Statements, you are using the ABAP Memory.
SAP Memory is User Specific. ABAP Memory is User and Transaction
What does this mean? The data stored in SAP Specific.What does this mean? The data stored in
memory can be accesses via any session from a ABAP memory can be accessed only in one session.
terminal. If you are creating another session, you cannot use
ABAP memory.

Important
Question 8: What is the difference between AT SELECTION-SCREEN and AT SELECTION-SCREEN
OUTPUT?
AT SELECTION-SCREEN is the PAI of the selection screen whereas

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AT SELECTION-SCREEN OUTPUT is the PBO of the selection screen.

Question 9: What is the difference between SY-INDEX and SY-TABIX?

Remember it this way TABIX = Table.
So when you are looping over an internal table, you use SY-TABIX.
When you use DO … ENDDO / WHILE for looping, there is no table involved.
So you use SY-INDEX.

For READ statement, SY-INDEX is used.

Question 10: What is the difference between VIEW and a TABLE?A table physically stores data.
A view does not store any data on its own. It can contain data from multiple tables and it just
accesses/reads data from those tables.

Question 11: What is the difference between Customizing and Workbench request?A workbench
request is client independent whereas a Customizing request is client dependent.
Changes to development objects such as Reports, Function Modules, Data Dictionary objects etc. fall
under Workbench requests.

Changes in SPRO / IMG that define system behavior fall under customizing requests.
An example would be ‘defining number ranges’ in SPRO.

In short, generally a developer would end up creating a Workbench request and a Functional Consultant
would create a Customizing request.

Question 12: What is the difference between PASS BY VALUE and PASS BY REFERENCE?These concepts
are generally used for Function modules or Subroutines etc. and their meaning can be taken literally.

Say we are passing a variable lv_var:

CALL FUNCTION 'DEMO_FM'
EXPORTING
VAR = lv_var.

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When we PASS lv_var by VALUE , the actual value of lv_var is copied into VAR.
When we PASS lv_var by REFERENCE , the reference or the memory address of lv_var is passed to the
Function module. So VAR and lv_var will refer to the same memory address and have the same value.

Question 13: What is the difference between Master data and Transaction data?Master data is data
that doesn’t change often and is always needed in the same way by business.
Ex: One time activities like creating Company Codes, Materials, Vendors, Customers etc.

Transaction data keeps on changing and deals with day to day activities carried out in business.
Transactions done by or with Customers, Vendors, and Materials etc. generate Transaction Data. So data
related to Sales, Purchases, Deliveries, Invoices etc. represent transaction data

Some important transactions here for Master Data:

Material: MM01 MM02 MM03
Vendor: XK01 , XK02 , XK03
Customer: Xd01 , XD02 , XD03

Some Important transactions for Transaction data:

Purchase Order: ME21n , ME22n , ME23n
Sales Order: VA01 , VA02 , VA03
Goods Receipt: MIGO
Invoices: MIRO

Important
Question 14: What will you use SELECT SINGLE or SELECT UPTO 1 ROWS ?
What will you use SELECT SINGLE or SELECT UPTO 1 ROWS ?
There is great confusion over this in the SAP arena.
If you Google, you will see lots of results that will say SELECT SINGLE is faster and efficient than SELECT
UPTO 1 ROWS.
But that is 100% incorrect.

SELECT UPTO 1 ROWS is faster than SELECT SINGLE.

If for a WHERE condition, only one record is present in DB, then both are more or less same.
However, If for a WHERE condition multiple records are present in DB, SELECT UPTO 1 ROWS will
perform better than SELECT SINGLE.

Question 15: What is the difference between .Include Structure and .Append structure?
I have seen ridiculous answers for this at many places on the Web.
The true answer is this:

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 Let’s say you want to use the Structure X in your table Y.
With .Include X, you can include this structure in multiple tables.
With .Append X, you specify that structure X has been used in table Y and that this cannot be used in
any other table now. So you restrict structure X only to Table Y.

Important
Question 16: Can you describe the events in ABAP?

LOAD-OF-PROGRAM:
INITIALIZATION: If you want to initialize some values before selection screen is called
AT SELECTION SCREEN OUTPUT: PBO for Selection Screen
AT SELECTION SCREEN: PAI for Selection Screen
START-OF-SELECTION
END-OF-SELECTION
TOP-OF-PAGE
END-OF-PAGE

AT USER-COMMAND: When user click on say buttons in application toolbar. SY-UCOMM

AT LINE SELECTION: Double click by user on basic list. SY-LISEL
AT PF##: When User Presses any of the Function Keys
TOP-OF-PAGE DURING LINE SELECTION

Question 17:

What events do you know in Module Pool Programming?

PBO: you know this . If not you should know this . That's basic.
PAI: You know this. If not you should know this . That's basic.
POV: Process on Value request … i.e. when you press F4.
POH: Process on help request … i.e. when you press F1.
Question 18: Can you show multiple ALVs on a Single Screen?
Yes, there are multiple ways of doing this:
· If you are using OOALV, you can create multiple custom containers
(cl_gui_custom_container) & put an ALV control (cl_gui_alv_grid) in each of those.
· You can even use a Splitter container control and place multiple ALVs in each of
the split container.
· If you are using Normal ALV, You can use the following FMS:
1. REUSE_ALV_BLOCK_LIST_INIT
2. REUSE_ALV_BLOCK_LIST_APPEND
3. REUSE_ALV_BLOCK_LIST_DISPLAY

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Question 19: A system has two clients 100 and 500 on the same application server. If you make changes
to a SAPSCRIPT on client 100, will the changes be available in client 500?

No. SAPSCRIPT is client dependent. You will have to transport changes from client 100 to client 500.
However, for SMARTFORMS, Changes will be made both for client 100 and client 500.

Question 20: There are 1000’s of IDOCs in your system and say you no longer need some of them? How
will you get rid of those IDOCs?

One way is to archive the IDOCs using transaction SARA.

But what the interviewer was expecting was ‘How do you change IDoc Status’?
There are different ways of doing this:
A) Use FM IDOC_STATUS_WRITE_TO_DATABASE
B) USE FMs:
EDI_DOCUMENT_OPEN_FOR_PROCESS and
EDI_DOCUMENT_CLOSE_PROCESS

Question 21: What is the difference between CHAIN … ENDCHAIN and FIELD commands in Module Pool?

If you want to validate a single field in Module Pool, you use the FIELD Command.
On error, this single filed is kept open for input.

If you however want to validate multiple fields, you can use the CHAIN … ENDCHAIN command. You
specify multiple fields between CHAIN and ENDCHAIN.
On error, all fields between CHAIN …… ENDCHAIN are kept open for input.

Question 22: What are the types of Function Modules? What is an UPDATE function module?There are
three types of Function Modules: Normal , RFC , UPDATE.

The aim of the Update function module is either to COMMIT all changes to database at once or to
ROLLBACK all the changes. By definition, an update function module is used to bundle all the updates in
your system in one LUW (logical unit of work).
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This FM is called whenever COMMIT WORK statement is encountered in the calling program and the
way you call it is CALL FUNCTION XXX IN UPDATE TASK.

Have a look at FM EDI_DOCUMENT_CLOSE_PROCESS_UPD and do a where used.

This FM is used as Update FM in case you make changes to IDoc contents/status via your program.

Question 23: How is the table sorted when you do not specify field name and Ascending or Descending?
On what criteria will the table be sorted? Do internal table have keys?

Yes, internal table have keys.

The default key is made up of the non-numeric fields of the table line in the order in which they occur.

Question 24: Explain what is a foreign key relationship?Explain this with the help of an example.
Let’s discuss about tables EKKO (PO header) and EKPO (PO line item).
Can you have an entry in table EKPO without having an entry in table EKKO?
In other words can you have PO line items without the PO header?

How does this happen? The answer is foreign key relationship.

So foreign keys come into picture when you define relationship between two tables.

Foreign keys are defined at field level.

Check the foreign key relation for field EBELN of table EKPO.
The check table is EKKO. This just means that whenever an entry is made in EKPO, it is checked whether
the entered value for EBELN already exists in EKKO. If not, entry cannot be made to EKPO table.

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Question 25 : What is the difference between a value table and a check table?Check table is
maintained when you define foreign key relationships.
For Check table, read question above.
.
Value table is defined and maintained at a domain level.
At a domain level, you can mention allowed values in the form of:
1) Single values
2) Ranges
3) Value tableFor example, have a look at domain SHKZG. Only allowed values are S and H for
Debit/Credit indicator. Whenever and wherever you use this domain, the system will force you to use
only these two values: S and H.

Another example is domain MATNR. For this domain the value table is MARA.
So whenever and wherever, you use this domain the system will force you to use values for MATNR in
table MARA.

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Question 26: How do you find BAPI?Approach1:
You can go to Transaction BAPI and then search for your desired object.
Say you want to find a BAPI for creating users in the system, in such case you can search for the ‘User’
and find the relevant BAPIs.

Approach2:
Another way is to find a Business Object. Say you want to find a BAPI for creating Material in SAP and
you know the BO for Material is BUS1001006. You can go to Transaction SWO1 and enter the BO
BUS1001006 in the BOR. Then have a look at the methods for this BO.

Important
Question 27: How do you find BADI?
Approach1:
Go to Class CL_EXITHANDLER in SE24 ---> Put a breakpoint in method GET_INSTANCE.Now go and
execute your transaction code for which you want to find BADI.

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You will find the BADI in the changing parameter exit_name:

Approach 2:
Go to Tcode SE84 Enhancements BADIs Definitions.
Find the package for the Tcode for which you are finding the BADI.
Enter it as shown and hit execute:

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Are we done yet ? Definitely not !
Let the questions come and lets keep on updating this blog.

I will update the blog with the following questions soon:

Question: Synchronous and asynchronous methods in BDC ?
Question: What is the difference between inner joins and outer joins?
Question: What is the difference between INSTANCE methods and STATIC methods?
Question: What is the difference between Implicit Enhancements and Explicit Enhancements?
Question: What is the difference between Enhancement point and Enhancement Section?
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 Question: How do you find Function Exit?
Question: How do you activate a Function Exit?

BDC Interview Questions

What is BDC and why do we use BDC ?
BDC ( Batch Data Communication ) also known as batch input is a technique by which large volumes of
data can be transferred from Non Sap or Legacy systems to SAP systems.

Example: A Legacy system that is to be replaced by SAP has say 1000 Customers , 2000 vendors and
3000 materials. All this data needs to be transferred to SAP . In such cases , We can use BDC.

If the old system is replaced by SAP, such a transfer is called Conversion.

If the old system runs along with SAP, in that case the transfer is called an Interface.

The two methods for BDC are:

• Session Method
• Call TRANSACTION Method
• CALL DIALOG (Outdated)

ABAP interview questions on BDC:

Important:
Question 1:What is the difference between Call Transaction Method and the Session method ?

Session Method Call Transaction

Session method id generally used when the data Call transaction method is when the data volume
volume is huge. is low
Session method is slow as compared to Call Call Transaction method is relatively faster than
transaction. Session method.
SAP Database is updated when you process the SAP Database is updated during the execution of
sessions. You need to process the sessions the batch input program.
separately via SM35.
Errors are automatically handled during the Errors should be handled in the batch input
processing of the batch input session. program.

Important:

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Question 2: How do you do BDC for a table control?
With other things as usual, there is a special trick that you have to use while doing BDC for table control.
You need to use the BDC OKCODE '=P+'.
Its the BCD_OKCODE for Page down that can be used for scrolling down in table control.

Important:
Question3: Is there any method apart from BDC for data upload to SAP?
Apart from BDC and LSMW, you can use BAPIs to upload data into SAP.
BAPIs should be preferred over BDCs, because they process data faster than BDC.
A BAPI is faster since it updates Database "directly". Whereas BDC calls transaction and goes through
the whole screen sequence as any user would do.

BAPI BDC
BAPI is faster than BDC. BDC is relatively slower than BAPI.
BAPI directly updates database. BDC goes through all the screens as a normal
user would do and hence it is slower.
No such processing options are available in BAPI. Background and Foreground processing options
are available for BDC.
BAPI would generally used for small data BDCs would be preferred for large volumes of
uploads. data upload since background processing option
is available.
For processing errors, the Return Parameters for Errors can be processed in SM35 for session
BAPI should be used.This parameter returns method and in the batch input program for Call
exception messages or success messages to the Transaction method.
calling program.

Question 4: How do you process errors in Call Transaction method ?

Let's have a look at the syntax for CALL TRANSACTION method.

Sample code:
DATA: BEGIN OF G_T_MESSTAB OCCURS 0.
INCLUDE STRUCTURE BDCMSGCOLL.
DATA: END OF G_T_MESSTAB.

CALL TRANSACTION 'MB11'

USING G_T_BDCDATA
MODE 'E'
UPDATE 'S'
MESSAGES INTO G_T_MESSTAB.

All the error messages will be trapped inside G_T_MESSTAB.

Question 5: What is the use of program RSBDCSUB?
There are two ways to process the BDC sessions:
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1) Go to SM35 ---> Choose session ---> hit process.
Now See Question no. 10.
2) Use program RSBDCSUB.
RSBDCSUB schedules the session to be processed in background.

Let's take an example to understand this.

The sessions are created at one point of time and processed at other point of time and this may create a
problem: For example: a BDC program creates a session for updating 1500 customers in SAP. However ,
before this session is processed via SM35 , a user inserts 100 customers in the system manually. In this
case , the session will have at least 100 errors when the session is processed from SM35.

One way to avoid this is to use the program "RSBDCSUB" in the batch input program itself so that the
session is processed as soon as it is created.
RSBDCSUB schedules the session to be processed in background.

Question 6: What is the structure of the BDC table?

The BDCDATA consists of the following fields:

PROGRAM [CHAR 40] - Online program name.
DYNPRO [NUMC 4] - Screen number.
DYNBEGIN [CHAR 1] - Flag to indicate the start of a new screen.
FNAM [CHAR 132] - Field name of a screen field to be filled with data.
FVAL [CHAR 132] - The actual value to be filled into the specified screen field.

Sample Screenshot:

BDCDATA table structure

Question 7: What is the difference between BDC_OKCODE and BDC_CURSOR?

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BDC_OKCODE: is used for storing commands during the recording. like '/00' is the command for 'ENTER'
Key.
BDC_CURSOR: contains the cursor position. it contians the field in which cursor will be.

Example code:
perform bdc_field using 'BDC_CURSOR'
'PROJ-PSPID'.
perform bdc_field using 'BDC_OKCODE'
'=BU'.

Question 8: What are the 3 methods that we use in sequence in a Batch input session method ?

1) BDC_OPEN_GROUP for opening the Batch Input Session

2) BDC_INSERT for inserting the transactional data into SAP
3) BDC_CLOSE_GROUP for closing the Batch Input Session

If there are n records , the BDC_INSERT method should be called n times.

BDC_OPEN_GROUP and BDC_CLOSE_GROUP are called only once.

General Information about a session is stored in table APQI.

Transaction data for a session is stored in table APQD.

Question 9: What is your approach for writing a BDC program?

Identify the Tcode and do the recording in SHDB to populate the BDCDATA.

Once the recording is done , one can Transfer it to the Batch input program.

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In the batch Input program , The transactional data is read from the file to an internal table.

Then one can loop over the transactional data in the internal table and start uploading the data in SAP
either by CALL TRANSACTION method or by creating sessions through the batch input program.

Question 10: How do you process errors in Session method ?

You can go to Transaction SM35 , Choose the session name and click on Process.

Question 11: What are the different modes of processing batch input sessions?

The three modes are:

Foreground

Display Errors Only

Background

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Question 12: What is the difference between Synchronous and Asynchronous Update ?
In Synchronous update , the database is updated before the next transaction is taken for processing in a
batch input.
In Asynchronous update , the system doesn't wait for updating the database before the next
transaction is taken for processing in a batch input.

Question 13: What is the transaction for Recording BDC ?

The Tcode is SHDB.

Question 14: How do you read files from the Application server ?

You can use the commands:

OPEN DATASET ---> opens the file(dataset) either in read /write mode.
READ DATASET ---> Read the file
CLOSE DATASET ---> Close the dataset once the date has been read .

Question 15: How do you read files from the presentation server ?
You can use the Function Modules :
GUI_UPLOAD --> To read data from file into an internal table
GUI_DOWNLOAD --> To write data from internal table to a file on presentation server

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Thanks and all the best for your interview :).

SAP ALE IDocs interview questions and answers Part 1

ALE IDocs in SAP

ALE IDocs in SAP is a lot about configuration and a lot about Tcodes . So if you have worked on at least one
end to end scenario in ALE IDocs in SAP , you probably already have answers to a lot of questions.

Cheers!!

But if you haven't , make sure you do this exercise. There are plenty of step by step guides to ALE IDocs
available on the internet . Make sure you read one understand it all the way . Sending IDoc from client 800 to
say client 810 on the same server is easy . If possible ,Try an exercise in which you send an IDoc from one
system to another system.

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Lets get started . Hope you get some value in these pages :)

Question 1: What is ALE ?

ALE stands for Application Link Enabling. As it's name indicates , it links two systems.
ALE is a technology that can enable exchange of data between two different Systems ( Sap - Sap OR Sap - Non
Sap). ALE technology enables distributed yet integrated installation of SAP systems.
ALE architecture comprises of 3 layers :

Application layer refers to the application data ( SD , MM , FI or data for any SAP application ) . In this layer
the data is collected to be distributed and then sent to the distribution layer.

Distribution layer determines to whom should the data generated by the application layer has to be
distributed i.e. it is in the distribution layer that the recipient is determined , the data is formatted or filtered
and then an actual is created.

Communication layer takes the responsibility of delivering the Idoc to the receiving system and
communicates to the receiving system via tRFC , File ports , FTP or TCP/IP etc.

ALE uses IDoc as a vehicle to transfer data between two systems.

Question 2: What is EDI ?

EDI stands for Electronic Data Interchange. It refers to the electronic exchange of business data in a
structured format between two systems. The EDI subsystem generally converts the Idoc data into one of the
many EDI formats and generates an EDI file in an X12 format. The middleware then translates the X12 file to
an IDOC format and the IDOC is sent to the SAP system.

Question 3: What is an Idoc? What is IDoc Type? What is an IDoc Extension ?

An IDoc (Intermediate document) is a vehicle that is used to transfer data from one system to another.
IDoc is not a technology of some sort , but it is just a container that holds data .
It holds data in a structured format i.e. in the Fields of the Segments.

IDoc Type vs. IDoc:

An IDoc Type is nothing but a collection of one or more structures defined in a system with specific
fields. It does not hold Data.
However, an IDoc is something that holds the values in the fields of the structure defined by IDOC type.

The transaction code to view an IDoc type (Basic and extension) is WE30.
Examples: ORDERS04, DEBMAS04, MATMAS04, CREMAS04.
These are all SAP standard Basic IDoc Types.

You can even have an IDoc extension in which you can use the existing Basic IDoc type and add extra
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segments and fields to it. Usually we extend an IDoc when the standard SAP IDoc type is not able to
cater to the business process.

Question 4: What are the types of records in SAP ALE Idocs and where is this information stored ?
There are three types of records in SAP ALE Idocs:
Control Records: Control record information for an IDoc is stored in standard table EDIDC.
Data Records: Control record information for an IDoc is stored in standard table EDIDD.
Status Records: Control record information for an IDoc is stored in standard table EDIDS.

Question 5: What is an Idoc status? What are the different types of Idoc statuses that you know ?
When an IDoc is sent from one system to another , it goes through variuos stages.The IDoc status indicates
the stage that the Idoc in currently in.
There about 75 IDoc statuses.There is no way you can remember those all .
Don't even try to ! You will probably remember only those on which you have worked .

But here are a few that you should know:

0-49 indicates an Outbound IDoc and 50-75 as Inbound IDoc.

01 IDoc generated
02 Error passing data to port
03 Data passed to port OK

51 Application document not posted

52 Application document not fully posted
53 Application document posted

Question 6: What is a Port ? What are the types of Ports ?

A port is a communication channel through which Messages can be sent or received in SAP .
The sender and the receiver both specify the port through which they will communicate.

The common port types are the TRFC Port and the File Port.
If both sender and receiver mention TRFC ports, data is exchanged via RFC connections.
If however , a file port is mentioned , the IDOC is written in a flat file at the specified location at the sender
system.Then a FTP transfer should be done from that location to the receiver system or a Middleware that
will send the file to the receiver system.

The transaction to maintain ports is WE21.

Question 7: What is a Message type and Idoc Type ? What is the difference between Message type and an
IDoc type?

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A Message type and an IDoc type are closely related . In fact, you will find that a Message type is always
associated with an IDoc type.Whereas an IDoc type is a detailed version with all the segments and fields , a
Message type is used just to specify the kind of information that a system can send or receive to or from
another system.

So If system SAP1 has a Partner Profile where it specifies MATMAS as an outbound message type , it just
means that SAP1 can send material master data to say system SAP2.

If system SAP1 has a Partner Profile where it specifies MATMAS as an inbound message type , it just means
that SAP1 can receive material master data from say system SAP2.

What all fields can be sent and received will be specified in the IDoc type.
Some other message types: DEBMAS( Customers), CREMAS(Vendors) belong to the Master data.

The link between a message Type and an IDoc type is maintained in Tcode WE82.

Question 8: What is a partner profile ? What are the types of partner profiles ?
To be able to communicate with a partner via an IDoc interface, each system needs to maintain a partner
profile. A partner profile is a mechanism by which the system can specify what kind of messages (message
types) it can send or receive.
Partner profiles can be maintained in WE20.

Question 9: What is a distribution model in ALE IDocs ?

The distribution model describes how ALE messages flow between different logical systems.
You can mention the sender and receiver logical systems, the message type to be distributed and also
distribute data(IDocs) based on certain conditions by using the distribution model.
The ALE layer uses the distribution model to control which systems will receive the information(IDocs) and
also filter the data based on certain conditions.
Distribution Models can be created and maintained in transaction BD64.

Question 10: What are process codes ?

I don't want to make this post too big . So, I will stop here for the time being.

Question 11: How do you Edit IDoc contents manually?

Question 12: Can you edit IDoc content for successful IDocs ?
No. You cannot.

Question 13: If you send an IDoc say 100008008 from system ECC1 to system ECC2, will the IDoc number in

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ECC2 be 100008008?
No. The next number from the IDoc number range in ECC2 will be picked up.
More interview questions on ALE IDocs :
Question 14: How do you read data from an IDoc in a program ?
Question 15: How do you send Idoc from a program ?
Question 16: How do you achieve filtering in a distribution model ?
Question 17: Can I create a flat file from an IDOC ? If Yes , How ?
Question 18: You want to create and send an IDOC to another the moment a PO is created in
your system . How will you achieve this ?
Question 19: How to Reprocess Idocs in SAP?
Question 20: What is a change Pointer?
Question 21: What is serialization of Idocs?
Question 22: Important tcodes in ALE Idocs.
Question 23: Important programs in ALE Idocs:
SAP ABAP Interview Questions Part 3 : Smartforms

Welcome to yet another post on ABAP interview questions. Here I have complied a list of interview
questions on Smartforms in SAP. This list is quite comprehensive. Hope you find it useful. Cheers !!

Smartform is SAP's print form technology and is an alternative to SAP-Scripts. Whenever you
activate a Smartform , a function module is generated for that Smartform. The program that calls
this function module is called the Driver Program for Smartform. The T.code for Smartforms is
SMARTFORMS.
Unlike SAP-Scripts, Smartforms are client independent.

Here we go:

*An SAP R/3 system has 2 clients 800 & 810. You create an SAP Script Z_Script and a Smartform
Z_Smartform in client 800. Will both Z_Script and Z_Smartform be available in client 810 as well?
Client 200 will have just the Smartform Z_Smartform and not the SAP Script Z_Script.

SAP-Script is client dependent whereas SMARTFORM is client independent. Many people don't
understand what this is all about. The above answer should suffice. However, if you still do not
understand this, find an SAP system where you have 2 clients. Create a dummy Smartform / script
in one client and check whether they exist in the other client.

*You have created a Smartform in DEV environment. Then you migrated the Smartform to PROD
environment. Will the name of the function module be same in DEV and PROD?
Once you transport the Smartform from DEV to PROD environment, a new function module name
for the Smartform in generated in the PROD environment. For a particular Smartform , generated
function module names are different in different systems.One can get the name of the function
module for Smartform by passing the Smartform name to FM SSF_FUNCTION_MODULE_NAME.

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Hence in the driver program for Smartform, it is common practice to use FM
SSF_FUNCTION_MODULE_NAME and then calling the Smartform Function Module.

CALL FUNCTION 'SSF_FUNCTION_MODULE_NAME'

EXPORTING
formname = 'Z_SMARTFORM'
IMPORTING
fm_name = lv_fm_name

CALL FUNCTION lv_fm_name

*How do you convert a Smartform Output to PDF output?

There is a tricky solution here.But let's keep that for the last. Let us first discuss the conventional
way of getting a PDF output for Smartform. For that you need to keep in mind the following two
function modules and their importing/exporting parameters:

CONVERT_OTF
CONVERT_OTF_2_PDF

In the Driver program, import the parameter 'job_output_info' from the Smartform FM and utilize
that info in 'OTF' parameter of the two aforementioned function modules.

Here is one more and probably the easiest way to see PDF output for a Smartform.
Type PDF! in the command prompt and hit enter :).

To see the Smartform Print Preview output as list output,

Type SLIS in the command prompt and hit enter.

*How do you achieve Bar Code printing in Smartforms?

Step1: Use SE73 i.e. SAP-Script Font Maintenance and create a Bar code say ZDEMO.
Step 2: For Smartform, create a character format C1 and use the recently created Barcode ZDEMO.
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<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]-->

It can be finally used to print Barcode as:

How do you add a Watermark Or a Background Image for Smartforms ?

If you go to the properties of a page in Smartform, you will find a tab for Background Image.
Specify the source of the image you need here and it can be used as background image / Watermark in
Smartforms.

Graphics can be maintained using T.code SE78.

How will you print on both sided of a Smartform?

At the Page level in Smartforms, you can find something called as Print Mode.

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Set the Print mode to duplex to print on both sides of the Smartform.

What is the difference in a Table and a Template in Smartform?

A Template has fixed number of Rows and Columns whereas a Table can have variable rows and
columns i.e. you can have a internal table with contents associated to a Table element but not to a
Template.

You should use a template when the tabular output is fixed!

How do you achieve Page Protection in Smartform ?

While one can use the PROTECT ..... ENDPROTECT command for SAP-Scripts, for Smartforms the Page-
Protection checkbox can be used to ensure page protection:

Note: You have Page-protection property only for Text Elements in the Main Window.

Can you move a Smartform from one SAP system to another without using transports ?
Yes, this can be achieved using the Upload/Download feature for Smartforms.
One can download the Smartform from one system and save it as an XML file.
Once that is done, the XML file can be used to upload the Smartform in another system.

Can you have a Smartform without a main window?

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Yes, you can create a Smartform without a Main Window. But there is no need to do anything of such
sort.
Whenever you create a Smartform, a main window is created by default. I can't think of a situation ,
where you will have a situation in which it is mandatory for you to remove the Main Window. But still I
have seen this question in ABAP interviews. So I have put it here.

How do you find the name of the Function Module for a Smartform?
When is this function module created?
The function module for Smartform is created when the Smartform is activated.
You can find the name of the Function Module for a Smartform by going to
Environment --> Function Module Name.

What is a Copies Window?

What is a Final Window?
Final Window is called after all the other windows are called in a Smartform.
How do you pass data to Smartforms from the driver program?
How do you Debug Smartforms ?
How would you go about printing a logo in a Smartform?
How do you print address number in Smartforms ?
How do you print Symbols and Icons in Smartforms?
What are Basic Nodes and Auxiliary Nodes ?
What is the use of Folder in Smartforms ?

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