ABAP for newbies: Navigation in the application server
With the new build of the SAP NetWeaver 2004s ABAP trial version (SP11), you may need to update your ABAP developer skills (beginners and experienced) to understand the new version. By the end of this tip series, you should have a good understanding of what's going on in the ABAP application server. In part 2, Manfred Lutz discusses navigation in the application server.
In Part 2 of this tip series, you logged onto the application server as 'BCUSER'. From this starting point, this tip explains how to find the functionality you need.
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Item 'No.1' is a command field for the 'Transaction Code'. This is a shortcut to the transaction (functionality) you want to execute. Position the cursor in the field and press 'F1' to display the documentation.
This is a general feature of the application server for online help on input fields.
In Part 2 of this tip series you were also asked to enter 'SE80' in this Command field, which takes you directly to the ABAP workbench. This works only in the logon screen, in all other screens you have to add '/' as the first character and a letter as described in the documentation. For example, if you add an 'o' (as in 'other') before the Transaction Code, a new window will be opened for that transaction.
To the right of the Command field, there is an icon to display a history of commands used. Just click the icon and a pull down menu appears with all the transaction codes you entered so far.
Item 'No.2 'are two buttons in the toolbar. The left button opens a new window, which is the same as '/o' in the Command field. The right button is for creating a shortcut on your desktop that will start the transaction you are currently in. You also can create a shortcut to any other transaction.
Item 'No. 3' is a folder for your Favorite transactions. Since it is not easy to remember all the Transaction Codes you can collect the ones you'd like to use more often in that folder. To make it more convenient for you, the folder displys the title of the transaction instead of the Transaction code. Click the folder icon to open the context menu. 'Insert transaction' adds a new item to your favorites. You can do the same thing by clicking 'Favorites' in the menu bar.
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One useful hint: In the 'Favorites' folder and in the SAP menu you can display the transaction code in the beginning of each line (see screenshot below). For that, click on 'Extras' in the menu bar and select 'Settings' and check for 'Display technical names'.
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Since the ABAP trial version is only the application server, there are no business-oriented transactions in the navigation tree. There are three buttons in the middle of the toolbar, all for navigation purposes. They are highlighted when active.
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The yellow button is the 'Exit' button that interrupts the transaction and takes you straight back to the entry screen.,br> The red button is the 'Cancel' button that stops the transaction, but will not always return you to the entry screen.
To close the session, just enter '/nex' in the command field and press 'Enter' or the green 'OK' icon to the left of the toolbar. All open sessions will then be terminated without any dialog.
Manfred Lutz is in Netweaver Product Management with focus on Application Servers.
This content is reposted from the SAP Developer Network.
Copyright 2007, SAP Developer Network
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Want to read more from this author? Click here to read Manfred Lutz's Weblog. Click here to read more about ABAP on the SDN.
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