BAPIs vs. IDocs for Web-to-SAP interfaces, what are the differences?
Which option is better for interface data from a Web site, BAPI calls or IDocs? Read Axel Angeli's expert opinion on BAPIs vs. IDocs for Web-to-SAP interfaces in this expert tip.
However, are IDocs still a viable long-term option with SAP? I have been told that SAP is moving away from IDocs in favor of BAPIs. In other words, use of IDocs the old way to interface data and the new and preferred way is via BAPIs. Is there any truth to that?
BAPI error handling needs to be done by the calling application, while IDoc error handling can be done through BD87, etc. By the way, IDocs are also received through a BAPI: "IDOC-INBOUND_ASYNCHRONOUS." Still, I have no overall preference of BAPIs over IDocs or vice versa. However, if communication can be done asynchronously -- so the caller does not need an answer back right away -- then the IDoc solution is the safer and easier way of doing the work.