How To be Cloud Ready (SAP BTP ABAP Model)

[vinu_Kurian]

NB: Unlike my previous blogs, this one is not a technical one. If you are looking for technical stuff, please skip.

Introduction:

At the last SAP insider track event happened at Bangalore the most questions I have heard / encountered was.

1. How to learn ABAP on BTP / Cloud?


2. How to be cloud ready?

Before moving on to the answers for the questions , you have to keep  one thing  in mind  that the cloud concept is new a new approach and it will be different from the existing sap ERP , so please don’t expect everything in cloud. The price , offerings , plans , execution , design , syntax , objects , everything will be having some difference and set your mind to accept those .  Your core system will be going to stay clean (Clean code concept) and all your custom code will be in cloud.

For example, ABAP on SAP BTP uses the CDS views exposed on Service Bindings via Service Definitions would result in creating the desired ODATA for you. Never expect a SEGW T-CODE over there but please try to understand WHY, HOW, for What these changes are adopted or designed.

 

Let’s address each question in detail:

1. How to learn ABAP on BTP / Cloud?

I would like to categorize the people who asked me this question into two categories.

• 
  
  
  
  • Absolute Beginners
  
  
  • People with experience in SAP (ECC / S4HANA etc)
  
  
  
  

For absolute beginners:

• 
  
  
  
  • 
    
    
    
    • Get an Idea about SAP, not just the company or the technology but the applications and where we are placed in the sense of business solutions.
    
    
    • Get an insight about basic ABAP objects, Programming (If Possible, ABAP 7.4).
    
    
    • Get knowledge about the cloud architecture and sap servings in cloud.
    
    
    • Set up your first Global account, A Cloud foundry Sub  Account , Setup your shared ABAP trial Instance .
    
    
    • Get all the Tools you need to develop like ADT tools, Eclipse etc.
    
    
    • Don’t hesitate, Just Develop, Develop, DEVELOP …
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

For People with experience:

• 
  
  
  
  • 
    
    
    
    • Relate / Compare the objects and learn : The best way to learn as I would say , I have been doing the same . Lets take the case of SEGW T-CODE , why it doesn’t exist in the ABAP on BTP ? , Whether all the advantages of SEGW is available in the BTP ? , Is there any disadvantages being introduced ?    Try to relate / compare.
    
    
    • Get knowledge about the cloud architecture and sap servings in cloud.
    
    
    • Try to encounter the cloud as the new form of SAP , Cloud is the future
    
    
    • Try to be strong in ABAP RAP and OO ABAP.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

       Points looks easy but how to get materials required for starting the learning process ?

The places I Would recommend are:

• 
  
  
  
  • 
    
    
    
    • https://learning.sap.com/learning-journey
    
    
    • https://developers.sap.com/
    
    
    • https://blogs.sap.com/
    
    
    • SAP Community Network
    
    
    • https://help.sap.com/docs/
    
    
    • Look for people who are active on cloud developments (https://people.sap.com/ , LinkedIn )
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

 

2. How to be cloud ready?

For this question , I will be answering in my perspective . The points I mention could vary from your thought or might not align with certain points which are being taught by SAP,   just because of my experience in the platform and also as we know that while coming to practical implementation some of the suggestions may look out of logic .

• 
  
  
  
  • 
    
    
    
    • Start Developing Cloud ready code (Be brave enough to configure your ATC checks).
    
    
    • Start developing in ADT tools, if you are still not on to it . Learn applying the quick fixes through ADT fixes.
    
    
    • Use cloud released APIs in the development.
    
    
    • Stop using function modules and move to OOABAP (IM ready to be roasted in the comments but accept the reality).
    
    
    • As I said earlier compare , Another example will be your work flow .You will be finding the workflow as a new service in the cloud . Not just workflows but also your background job scheduler , Document service and many more.
    
    
    • Spot the places or objects which needs an extra work or new development and make a note of extra hours which is going to cost you.
    
    
    • Give some time for the platform to evolve (There is no platform / service / software which is 100% perfect).
    
    
    • Create a trial account / if your organization provides a cloud account , start exploring . Many objects are released with each and every new release.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

 

This blog is written solely based on my experience and thought process , if you find any information misleading please correct me in the comments . Thanks in Advance 😊 happy learning.