With the introduction of SAP S/4HANA technology, a new era has dawned for SAP software. Both the user interface and the data models have been significantly simplified. The database is no longer located on a database server, but with the program data in the main memory of the application server. Database and application are thus merged in SAP S/4HANA. For ABAP developers, this has resulted in several changes.
First, the focus shifted from command statements to a functional orientation. Also, for performance reasons, it is recommended to program with Native SQL (formerly Open SQL) in SAP S/4HANA.
The source code was moved from the programs to the database layer. Thus, programming takes place directly on the database, which is no longer possible with the familiar SAP ABAP. Developers therefore had to learn and use SQLScript as a new programming language for SAP S/4HANA.
However, since the SAP S/4HANA launch, SAP ABAP programming has been significantly simplified. Modern ABAP development is based on technologies such as Core Data Services (CDS), Business Object Processing Framework (BOPF) and OData.
Whereas, for example, complex data modeling (analytical views) was initially required for data selections, the simpler ABAP CDS views are now sufficient. Here, predefined data models ensure that developers can conveniently access related data during programming.
The SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) ABAP Environment also makes ABAP available to developers in the cloud. Existing ABAP know-how can therefore also be used in the cloud.
It should be noted, however, that the "new" ABAP can no longer be compared with the "old" ABAP in many respects. For example, it is no longer possible to access complete artifacts in the system.
Conventional call screens and screen processing are also not on the positive list - so they are no longer available. In addition, agile development methods are becoming increasingly important. With the DevOps programming model, the ABAP environment is based on a new programming model - developments should become easier this way, as well as faster and as a higher quality of the software.