SAP ABAP Interview Questions and Answers

Here are some frequently asked SAP ABAP interview questions.

1. What is ABAP?

ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming) is a high-level programming language developed by SAP for creating business applications on the SAP platform. It's used alongside Java in the SAP NetWeaver Application Server.

2. Describe SAP R/3 Architecture.

SAP R/3 uses a three-tier architecture:

  1. Presentation Tier: The user interface (SAP GUI or web browser).
  2. Application Tier: Handles business logic and processes.
  3. Database Tier: Stores the data.

3. Accessing a SAP System.

You can access a SAP system through the SAP GUI (Graphical User Interface) or via a web browser.

4. Pooled and Cluster Tables.

Pooled and cluster tables are special ABAP Dictionary table types. They allow storing data from multiple tables within a single physical table. Pooled tables are often used for storing internal control data; transparent tables typically store more business-relevant data.

5. Pool Tables vs. Transparent Tables.

Transparent tables have a one-to-one mapping to a database table. Pooled tables share a database table with other pooled tables.

6. ABAP Dictionary.

The ABAP Dictionary is used for defining and managing data structures (metadata) in SAP. It ensures data consistency and integrity across the system.

7. Essential Objects in the ABAP Dictionary.

  • Tables: Independently defined database tables.
  • Views: Logical views combining data from multiple tables.
  • Types: User-defined data types.
  • Lock objects: For data synchronization.
  • Domains: Define data types and value ranges.

8. Structures in ABAP Data Dictionary.

Structures are user-defined data types containing multiple components of different data types.

9. Internal Tables and Work Areas.

Internal tables and work areas are temporary memory structures used within ABAP programs to manipulate data. They're not persistent; their data exists only during program execution.

10. What is ITS?

ITS (Internet Transaction Server) provides a web interface for SAP R/3 systems, converting R/3 screens into HTML for web browsers.

11. SAP Script and its Components.

SAP Script is a word processing tool within the SAP system used for generating formatted documents. It uses layout sets, standard texts, and other components to create reports and other documents.

12. Foreign Key Relationships.

Foreign key relationships define links between database tables, enforcing referential integrity. They specify how many records in one table can relate to a record in another table (cardinality).

13. Database Integrity Types.

(This section would list various types of database integrity constraints.)

14. ABAP Memory vs. SAP Memory.

ABAP Memory is a program-specific memory area. SAP Memory is shared across different sessions within the SAP GUI.

15. BADIs in ABAP.

BADIs (Business Add-Ins) are a way to extend SAP standard functionality without modifying the original code. They use object-oriented principles and allow for multiple enhancements.

16. Outputting Icons in ABAP.

Use the WRITE statement with the ICON option. You'll also need an INCLUDE statement to include necessary definitions.

17. Inserting Lines into ABAP Internal Tables.

Use the INSERT statement. First populate a work area with the data you want to insert, then use INSERT to add that data to the internal table.

18. Web Dynpro for ABAP.

Web Dynpro is a framework for building web applications within the SAP environment. It provides a web-based user interface to interact with ABAP backend systems.

19. BDC (Batch Data Communication) Programming.

BDC is used for transferring large amounts of data into SAP systems using batch input sessions. Data is usually prepared in a queue file.

20. Data Classes in SAP.

Data in SAP is categorized into classes:

  • Master Data: Rarely changes (e.g., customer information).
  • Transaction Data: Changes frequently (e.g., sales orders).
  • Organizational Data: Defines the organizational structure of a company.
  • System Data: Used internally by the SAP system.

21. Types of LUWs (Logical Units of Work).

  • Database LUW: A sequence of database operations treated as a single unit. If any part fails, the entire LUW is rolled back.
  • SAP LUW: A logical unit of work that might span multiple steps within a SAP transaction. Changes are ultimately committed as a single database LUW.

22. Important Events in ABAP Programming.

(This would list various ABAP events, such as those triggered by user actions or system processes.)

23. ABAP Events.

Several events are triggered during the execution of ABAP programs:

  • LOAD-OF-PROGRAM: Called when the program is loaded into memory.
  • INITIALIZATION: Used to initialize data (often for selection screens).
  • AT SELECTION-SCREEN OUTPUT: Called before a selection screen is displayed; allows modifying screen elements.
  • TOP-OF-PAGE: Called at the start of each page when creating lists.
  • TOP-OF-PAGE DURING LINE-SELECTION: Similar to TOP-OF-PAGE, but in a line selection context.
  • END-OF-PAGE: Called at the end of each page in list processing.

24. Macro vs. Subroutine (FORM).

Feature Macro Subroutine (FORM)
Scope Local to the program Can be called from other programs
Expansion Expanded during compilation Separate code block
Debugging Difficult to debug Easier to debug

25. Types of Data Dictionary Objects.

The ABAP Dictionary contains various object types:

  • Tables
  • Views
  • Domains
  • Data Elements
  • Type Groups
  • Search Helps
  • Lock Objects
  • Structures
  • Table Types

26. Database Index vs. Matchcode.

A database index is a database-level structure improving search performance on a single table. A matchcode object allows faster searching across multiple tables.

27. Events and Actions in Web Dynpro.

Events in Web Dynpro connect controllers, allowing one controller to trigger actions in another. Actions are functions associated with events or user interaction.

28. What is a Subroutine?

A subroutine (FORM in ABAP) is a reusable block of code. It helps modularize programs and improve readability.

29. User Exits vs. BADIs.

Feature User Exit BADI (Business Add-In)
Implementation Single implementation Multiple implementations
Approach Procedural Object-oriented

30. Control Break Events in ABAP.

Control break events are triggered when processing groups of data (often in reports):

  • AT FIRST: Before processing any records.
  • AT LAST: After processing all records.
  • AT NEW: Before processing a new group.
  • AT END OF: After processing a group.

31. The EXTRACT Statement in ABAP.

The EXTRACT statement is used to create an extract dataset (a collection of records, potentially with different structures) from data processed within an ABAP program.