Sap

Abap
BDC
Ques ons
Sonu Jangir Abap Developer

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What is ‘BDC'?

The SAP system offers two primary methods (SESSION METHOD, CALL TRANSACTION METHOD) for
transferring data from other Non-SAP systems to SAP system. These two methods are collec vely
called as 'BATCH INPUT' or 'Batch Data Communica on' (BDC).

What do you mean by BDC (Batch Data Communica ons) programming?

Define BDC programming?
What is BDC programming?
Elaborate Batch Data Communica on programming?

BDC programming is an automa c procedure for transferring large or external data into SAP system.
'Queue file' is the central component of the transfer, that receives the data through batch input
programs and groups them to associate into 'sessions'

What is the BDC technique in ABAP programming?

Which BDC technique you prefer?

If we want to transfer large amount of data and when we need to use more than one transac on
code, we prefer session method. For small or less amount of data and for single transac on, use call
transac on.

What are the advantages in Batch Input?

Below are the major advantages of batch input -

 Ensures Data integrity.

 No manual interac on is required during Data transfer.

What are the steps in a BDC session?

There are mainly three steps in BDC session processing. Those are -

 Iden fy the screens of the transac on that the program is going to process.

 Write a program to build the BDC table that uses to submit the data to SAP.

 Submit the BDC table to the system in the batch mode or as a single transac on by the CALL
TRANSACTION command.

How to write a BDC - How do you go about it?

Steps for wri ng BDC -

 /nSE38

 Declare Tables, Data (for ITAB) and Data (for BDCITAB)

 Call func on ‘Upload’.

 Write code for the First Screen, Radio Bu on, Filename, Change Bu on, Second Screen,
U li es (Create Entries), Third Screen and Save.

 Call transac on ‘SE11’ using BDCITAB mode 'A'.

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  Save, Check Errors, Ac vate and Execute.

What are the types of BDC’s?

Do you know about the different types of BDC’s?

There are two types of BDC’s -

1. Transac on Method

2. Session Method

Advantages and Disadvantages of different types of BDC’s?

Transac on Method -

 It is faster than session method.

 While execu ng, it starts from star ng.

Session Method -

 It is slower than transac on method.

 While execu ng, it does not start from star ng.

Men on the different modules used in BDC?

What are the func onal modules used in sequence in BDC?

These are the 3 func onal modules that are used in a sequence to perform a data transfer
successfully using BDC programming -

 BDC_OPEN_GROUP - Parameters like Name of the client, sessions and username are
specified in these func onal modules.

 BDC_INSERT - It is used to insert the data for one transac on into a session.

 BDC_CLOSE_GROUP - This is used to close the batch input session.

What should be the approach for wri ng a BDC program?

Below are the steps to wri ng a BDC program -

 Analyze the Data from the local file.

 Analyze transac on.

 Generate SAP structure like local file and BDCDATA.

 Develop transfer program for transferring data from local file to internal table.

 Create a sequen al file.

 Write a batch input program.

 Process batch input data BDCDATA using call transac on/session method.

What is the alterna ve to batch input session?

Call transac on Method and Call dialog, Direct Input Method are alterna ves to Batch Input session.

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What do you do when the system crashes in the middle of a BDC batch session?

Check number of records already updated and delete them from input file and run BDC again.

What do you do with errors in BDC batch session?

Analyse, correct input file format and entries in internal table BDCDATA.

How can you handle errors in the BDC batch sessions?

First, we need to inves gate the list of the incorrect sessions to do the processing new. Now, to
correct the faulty session, we need to spot which value and which screen are causing the error.
Minor or small errors may solve away in an interac ve way; however, in the order resolve major
errors, one may require modifying the batch input program. In those cases, it is required to modify
the data file to set things right.

What is the structure of the BDC table?

Write the BDC table structure?

The BDCDATA table structure consists of the following fields -

FIELD TYPE LENGTH DESCRIPTION

PROGRAM CHAR 40 Online program name of transac on
DYNPRO NUMC 4 Screen number of transac ons
DYNBEGIN CHAR 1 Indicator to specify the start of a new screen
FNAM CHAR 132 Field names of a screen to be filled with data
FVAL CHAR 132 Actual value to be filled into the specified screen field
How do you find the transac on number, program number and field names?

Go to SE38, then choose the menu path like shown below -

Transac on number, program number – System -> status
Field names - F1 Technical help

What are the processing modes for Batch Input?

The three modes for processing batch input session are -

 Background

 Display Errors Only

 Foreground

What are the available OK Codes that can be u lized during batch input processing?

/n – Terminates current batch input transac on and marks as incorrect.

/bdel – Delete current batch input transac on from session.
/bend – Terminate batch input processing and mark session as incorrect.
/bda – Change display mode to process the session on screen instead of displaying only errors.
/bde – Change display mode to display only errors instead of processing the session on the screen.

What is the effect of the BDC_CURSOR field name in the BDC table?

The cursor can be posi oned by se ng the cursor on the field name and enter the corresponding
field value.

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Why you choose Call transac on and/or session method?

Call transac on is used to update the database using a single transac on in asynchronous mode. Call
transac on used to update the data that is rela vely small. If the call transac on used to update the
large amount of data, there might be a problem of ge ng TIME_OUT.

The session method is used to perform huge database updates using more than one transac on and
executes for a long me. Session method used to update the data that is rela vely huge.

How you trap errors in call Transac on?

The errors occurred during the database upda on using call transac on are trapped using a structure
bdcmsgcall. If the error occurred in the above process, structure bdcmsgcall field msgtyp becomes
‘e’.

The error records are forma ed calling format message func on to convert them into the desired
format and stored in an internal table for lis ng all the error in the single shot.

What are different types of update modes?

BDC have two types of upda ng modes –

 Synchronous

 Asynchronous

What is main difference between session method and LSMW?

In the context of session method, the upda ng method is “Batch Input”. We required to code a
program to complete the opera on.

In the context of LSMW method, the upda ng methods is “Batch Input/Direc on Input” from an
IDOC, BAPI structure. No source code is required, the complete opera on is performed in 16 steps.

Differences between LSMW and BDC?

 LSMW is for standard sap applica on. BDC is for customized applica ons.

 Mapping is taken care by SAP in LSMW whereas we need to specify the mapping explicitly in
BDC.

 LSMW offers different techniques like Direct input, Batch input recording, BAPI, IDOC for
migra ng data. BDC uses recording and have two methods to implement - Call Transac on
Method, Session Method.

 LSMW is a Non-SAP to SAP communica on tool, while BDC is an SAP to SAP communica on
u lity.

 LSMW used by Func onal consultants. BDC is used by technical consultants.

 In LSMW, coding is not flexible. BDC coding is flexible for customize applica ons.

 In LSMW, recording performed through LSMW only. However, in BDC recording performed
through transac on SHDB.

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  LSMW is preferable method as it uses the standard programs for data upload. In BDC if
screen design changes tomorrow, program will not work and need to do the recording again
to make it work.

 LSMW is recommended for large amount of data.

What is main difference between CATT and LSMW?

LSMW is legacy system migra on work bench is basically used for migra ng data from legacy system
to SAP system.

CATT allows a developer to create test data, group and automate reusable test runs for repe ve
business transac ons.

When you prefer LSMW in SAP?

Which BDC you prefer for data migra on?

To update medium amount of data, we use LSMW. LSMW is also used by the person like func onal
consultant who has less programming requirement.

How do you do BDC for a table control?

We need to use the BDC_OKCODE '=P+' while doing the BDC for table control.

It is the BCD_OKCODE for Page down that can be used for scrolling down in table control.

A er running a BDC program in background, next day morning when you see the results, few
records are not updated (error records). What will you do then?

We need to inves gate incorrect session, analyze the error screen, reprocess the session a er
correc ng the data.

You are given func onal specs for a BDC program and you need to decide whether to write a
method call transac on or a session. How u will decide?

Based on the amount of data (number of records to update), we can decide what method to use. For
example - If data is less the 5000, we can use call transac on. If data is more than 5000 records, we
can use session method.

What is the last entry in all BDC tables?

In all BDC tables, the field name BDC_OKCODE and a field value of ‘/11’ is the last entry used to save
BDC table.

What is the transac on for Recording BDC?

Transac on Code for recording is SHDB.

What are the different modes of processing batch input sessions?

The three modes for processing batch input session -

 Foreground

 Display Errors Only

 Background

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What are the problems in processing batch input sessions? How is batch input process different
from processing online?

The below are two major drawbacks of processing batch input sessions -

 Sessions cannot run in parallel.

 The processing is slow.

How do you save data in BDC tables?

The data in BDC tables is saved by using the field name ‘BDC_OKCODE’ and field value of ‘/11’.

Does the CALL TRANSACTION method allow mul ple transac ons to be processed by SAP?

No. The CALL TRANSACTION method process only single transac on.

Does the BDC_INSERT func on allow mul ple transac ons to be processed by SAP?

Yes.

What is the syntax for ‘CALL TRANSACTION'?

CALL TRANSACTION trans [ using bdctab MODE mode ]. Three possible entries are there for MODE -

 A - show all screens

 E - show only screens with errors

 N - show no screens

Can we use call transac on and session method in the same program? explain?
Can we write the code both call transac on and session method in single program?

Yes, we can call "call transac on" and "session method" in same program. Generally, we use call
transac on for upda ng and session method for logging errors in the same program.

What are the different types of mode (run Code) in Call Transac on Method?

There are three modes in Call Transac on -

 A – Displays All Screen

 E – Display Errors

 N – Background Processing

What is the difference between Leave Transac on and Call Transac on?

In contrast to LEAVE TRANSACTION, the CALL TRANSACTION statement causes the system to start a
new SAP LUW. This second SAP LUW runs parallel to the SAP LUW for the calling transac on.

Can you set up background processing using CALL TRANSACTION?

Yes, using “No Screen Mode” in 'CALL TRANSACTION'.

Which mode of ‘CALL TRANSACTION’ method allows background processing?

N is the only mode that allows background processing in CALL TRANSACTION.

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Is it possible to use ‘CALL TRANSACTION’ without a BDC table?

Yes, it is possible to use 'CALL TRANSACTION' without a BDC table. In such case, the current program
is suspended, the specified transac on is brought up and user must enter the data into the screens.

What are the func on modules called from BDC program to submit the transac ons for
processing?
Which Func on Modules are used in ‘Classical Batch Input’?

These are the 3 func onal modules that are used in a sequence to perform a data transfer
successfully using BDC programming -

 BDC_OPEN_GROUP - Parameters like Name of the client, sessions and username are
specified in these func onal modules.

 BDC_INSERT - It is used to insert the data for one transac on into a session.

 BDC_CLOSE_GROUP - This is used to close the batch input session.

How many sessions will be opened using BDC_OPEN_GROUP?

Only one session can be created.

What is Synchronous Database update?

No transac on is stored un l the previous transac on has been wri en to the Database during the
processing. This is called Synchronous Database update.

What are the types of Batch Input?

 Classical Batch Input

 Call Transac on

 Call Dialog

What is BDC_OKCODE?

The BDC_OKCODE is a command field iden fied in batch input. This name is constant and always
iden fies the command field.

How can we execute a func on in a BDC session?

We can execute a func on in a transac on by entering the func on code or func on key number in
the command field of an SAP session.

 A func on key number must be prefixed with the / (slash) character.

 A func on code must be prefixed with the = character.

Example -

BDCDATA-FNAM = 'BDC_OKCODE'

BDCDATA-FVAL = '=IC'

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How can we posi on the cursor on a field?

BDCDATA-FNAM = ‘BDC_CURSOR’

Who are Dialog users and who are Background users?

Dialog users are normal interac ve users in the SAP system. Background users handles the master
records that are specially defined to provide authoriza ons for background processing jobs.

What is the use of BDC_INSERT?

A transac on can be added to a Batch Input Session by using this func on.

What are the update modes in CALL TRANSACTION?

 S - Synchronous

 A - Asynchronous

 L - Local

What does the message parameter indicate?

The message parameter specifies that all system messages issued during a CALL TRANSACTION are
wri en into the internal table. The internal table must have the structure of BDCMSGCOLL.

What is Direct Input?

To enhance the batch input procedure, the SAP system offers the direct input technique for
transferring large amount of data. This technique does not create sessions but stores the data
directly. The direct input programs should be executed in the background only. To maintain and start
these programs, use program RBMVSHOW or the transac on BMVO.

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