SAP ABAP development · LessonBy Anitha M, SAP Trainer, 13 yrs · Published · SAP S/4HANA 2023 · all levels
Best practices
ABAP best practices keep custom code correct, performant, secure and maintainable, which matters enormously because custom code is where most SAP problems (and upgrade pain) originate. This page distils the habits that separate professional ABAP from liabilities.
Quick answer
Perform authorization checks (AUTHORITY-CHECK) in custom transactions, avoid dynamic code injection, and never bypass SAP’s data validations with direct table writes.
Key takeaways
- No SELECTs in loops; read data once into internal tables.
- Select only needed rows/columns; use indexes; aggregate in the DB (CDS/Open SQL).
- Use sorted/hashed tables and field-symbols for large data.
- Watch out: Modifying SAP standard instead of enhancing (breaks clean core).
Performance
- No SELECTs in loops; read data once into internal tables.
- Select only needed rows/columns; use indexes; aggregate in the DB (CDS/Open SQL).
- Use sorted/hashed tables and field-symbols for large data.
Correctness and robustness
- Null/initial checks and defensive coding; handle errors via class-based exceptions.
- Always check BAPI RETURN and commit/rollback correctly.
- Write ABAP Unit tests for logic in classes.
Maintainability and clean core
- Object-oriented, small single-purpose methods; clear naming conventions.
- Use enhancements/BAdIs and side-by-side extensions instead of modifying SAP standard (clean core).
- Keep code in transports, documented, and follow the customer namespace (Z/Y).
Security
Perform authorization checks (AUTHORITY-CHECK) in custom transactions, avoid dynamic code injection, and never bypass SAP’s data validations with direct table writes. Secure, clean custom code is far easier to upgrade and audit.
Common pitfalls
- Modifying SAP standard instead of enhancing (breaks clean core).
- Ignoring performance rules, slow programs at scale.
- No error handling or unit tests, fragile code.
Practice challenge
+0 XPStreak ×0
Question 1 of 3
Which statement is true of Best practices?
Frequently asked questions
What does Best practices mean in ABAP development?
ABAP best practices keep custom code correct, performant, secure and maintainable, which matters enormously because custom code is where most SAP problems (and upgrade pain) originate. This page distils the habits that separate professional ABAP from liabilities.
What else should ABAP development teams know about Best practices?
Perform authorization checks (AUTHORITY-CHECK) in custom transactions, avoid dynamic code injection, and never bypass SAP’s data validations with direct table writes.
What is the practical takeaway on Best practices?
No SELECTs in loops; read data once into internal tables. Select only needed rows/columns; use indexes; aggregate in the DB (CDS/Open SQL). Use sorted/hashed tables and field-symbols for large data.
What tends to go wrong with Best practices in ABAP development?
Modifying SAP standard instead of enhancing (breaks clean core). Ignoring performance rules, slow programs at scale. No error handling or unit tests, fragile code.