SAP ABAP Interview Questions Part 1

SAP ABAP interview questions:

Important
Question 1: What is the difference between User Exit and
Function Exit?
User Exit
User exit is implemented in the form
of a Subroutine i.e. PERFORM xxx.
Example: INCLUDE MVF5AFZZ

PERFORM

userexit_save_document_prepare.

In case of a PERFORM, you have

access to almost all the data. So you
have better control, but more risk of
making the system unstable.
User exit is considered a modification
and not an enhancement.
You need Access Key for User Exit.
Changes are lost in case of an
upgrade.
User exit is the earliest form of
change option offered by SAP.
No such thing is required here.

Customer Exit
A customer exit can be implemented
as:
Function exit
Screen Exit
Menu Exit
Field Exit
Example: CALL Customer function
xxx
INCLUDE xxx.
You modify this include.
You have access only to the
importing, exporting, changing and
tables parameter of the Function
Module. So you have limited access
to data.
A customer exit is considered an
enhancement.
You do not need access key.
Changes are upgrade compatible.
Customer exits came later and they
overcome the shortcomings of User
Exit.
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
RFC is nothing but a remote enabled
Image/Chart/Map APIs OR Facebook
function module. So if there is a
offers APIs for Comment/Like, SAP
Function Module in SAP system 1 on
offers APIs in the form of BAPIs. BAPI
server X , it can be called from a SAP
is a library of function modules
system 2 residing on server Y.
released by SAP to the public so that

they can interface with SAP.

There is a Business Object Associated
with a BAPI. So a BAPI has an
Interface, Key Field, Attributes,
Methods, and Events.
Outside world (JAVA, VB, .Net or any
Non SAP system) can connect to SAP
using a BAPI.
Error or Success messages are
returned in a RETURN table.

No Business Object is associated with

a RFC.

NonSAP world cannot connect to

SAP using RFC.
RFC does not have a 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
SMARTFORM generates a Function
Function module.
Module when activated.
Main Window is must.
You can create a SMARTFORM without
a Main Window.
SAPSCRIPT can be converted to
SMARTFORMS cannot be converted to
SMARTFORMS. Use Program
SCRIPT.
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
The Protect Checkbox can be ticked
is used for Page protection.
for Page 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
Session method id generally used
when the data volume is huge.
Session method is slow as
compared to Call transaction.
SAP Database is updated when you
process the sessions. You need to

Call Transaction
Call transaction method is when the
data volume is low
Call Transaction method is relatively
faster than Session method.
SAP Database is updated during the
execution of the batch input

process the sessions separately via

SM35.
Errors are automatically handled
during the processing of the batch
input session.

program.
Errors should be handled in the
batch input program.

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

BAPI
BAPI is faster than BDC.
BAPI directly updates database.
No such processing options are
available in BAPI.
BAPI would generally used for small
data uploads.
For processing errors, the Return
Parameters for BAPI should be
used.This parameter returns
exception messages or success
messages to the calling program.

BDC
BDC is relatively slower than BAPI.
BDC goes through all the screens as
a normal user would do and hence it
is slower.
Background and Foreground
processing options are available for
BDC.
BDCs would be preferred for large
volumes of data upload since
background processing option is
available.
Errors can be processed in SM35 for
session method and in the batch
input program for Call Transaction
method.

Question 6: What is the difference between macro and

subroutine?
Macro
Macro can be called only in the
program it is defined.
Macro can have maximum 9
parameters.
Macro can be called only after its
definition.
A macro is defined inside:
DEFINE
.
END-OF-DEFINITION.
Macro is used when same thing is to
be done in a program a number of
times.

Subroutine
Subroutine can be called from other
programs also.
Can have any number of parameters.
This is not true for Subroutine.
Subroutine is defined inside:
FORM ..
..
ENDFORM.
Subroutine is used for
modularization.

Question 7: What is the difference between SAP memory and

ABAP memory?
SAP Memory
When you are using the SET/GET
Parameter ID command, you are
using the SAP Memory.
SAP Memory is User Specific.
What does this mean?The data
stored in SAP memory can be
accesses via any session from a
terminal.

ABAP Memory
When you are using the EXPORT
IMPORT Statements, you are using
the ABAP Memory.
ABAP Memory is User and Transaction
Specific.What does this mean? The
data stored in ABAP memory can be
accessed only in one session. If you
are creating another session, you
cannot use ABAP memory.

Important
Question 8: What is the difference between AT SELECTIONSCREEN and AT SELECTION-SCREEN OUTPUT?
AT SELECTION-SCREEN is the PAI of the selection screen whereas
AT SELECTION-SCREEN OUTPUT is the PBO of the selection screen.
Question 9: What is the difference between SY-INDEX and SYTABIX?
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.
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 doesnt 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:
Lets 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
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 1000s 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).
This FM is called whenever COMMIT WORK statement is encountered in
the calling program and the way you call it isCALL 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.
Lets 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.
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.

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.
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:

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.
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.

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.
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?

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.

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 volume is huge.

Call transaction method is when the

data volume is low

Session method is slow as compared to

Call transaction.

Call Transaction method is relatively

faster than Session method.

SAP Database is updated when you

process the sessions. You need to
process the sessions separately via
SM35.

SAP Database is updated during the

execution of the batch input program.

Errors are automatically handled during

the processing of the batch input
session.

Errors should be handled in the batch

input program.

Important:
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 uploads.

BDCs would be preferred for large

volumes of data upload since
background processing option is
available.

For processing errors, the Return

Parameters for BAPI should be

Errors can be processed in SM35 for

session method and in the batch input

used.This parameter returns exception

messages or success messages to the
calling program.

program for Call Transaction method.

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:
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?
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.

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
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

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.

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 formatbetween 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 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?
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 ECC2 be 100008008?
No. The next number from the IDoc number range in ECC2 will be picked up.