The new SAP NW RFCSDK
The new SAP NetWeaver RFCSDK is now available for official download - this opens the way for supported next generation Open Source Connectors such as sapnwrfc for Perl, and sapnwrfc for Ruby.
Where to get it?
You need to go to the SAP service Portal for Software downloads, and follow the path of: Download -> Support Packages and Patches -> Entry by Application Group -> Additional Components -> SAP NW RFC SDK -> SAP NW RFC SDK 7.10 -> SAP NW RFC SDK 7.10 .
There is an accompanying OSS note: 1025361.
Impact on Connectors
As mentioned in a
NetWeaver RFC gives the Next generation Ruby and Perl Connectors (but so much better in Ulrichs'
SAP NetWeaver RFC SDK), the new NW RFCSDK not only updates the implementation of the library that all 3rd party products use, but it also provides a better interface to develop to, and exposes several key features such as Unicode, and complex structures.
Clearly - this is SAPs way forward in the RFC area of closely bound system integration, so all existing connectors (and 3rd party products) will eventually have to migrate to it.
This is also true of code that is based on the existing connectors for Perl and Ruby. For Perl - there will be a migration from SAP::Rfc -> sapnwrfc, and likewise for Ruby moving from saprfc -> sapnwrfc (The client side implementation for the new sapnwrfc connector for Python is nearly finished, with the same implications).
My thanks and congratulations go out to the SAP NW RFC Team (NW AS ABAP Connectivity) - through their efforts, and willingness to engage the community, they have made it possible for us frustrated hackers to have a little more fun 🙂
