SAP how-to guides · Lesson

Debug ABAP

Quick answer

The skill is breaking in the right place, use a breakpoint on the error message or exception rather than stepping through thousands of lines.

Key takeaways

Set a breakpoint: in the editor (ADT/SE80), or type /h in the command field before running a transaction.
Run the program/transaction; execution stops at the breakpoint.
Step through with F5 (into), F6 (over), F7 (return); inspect variables and internal tables.
Watch out: Following steps without understanding the concept.

Step by step

Set a breakpoint: in the editor (ADT/SE80), or type /h in the command field before running a transaction.
Run the program/transaction; execution stops at the breakpoint.
Step through with F5 (into), F6 (over), F7 (return); inspect variables and internal tables.
Use conditional/statement/exception breakpoints to break at the right place (e.g. on a message or exception).
Fix the issue in code (in DEV), then re-test.

Notes and tips

The skill is breaking in the right place, use a breakpoint on the error message or exception rather than stepping through thousands of lines. Watchpoints break when a variable changes. Be careful changing values, especially in production (tightly controlled). Reading ST22 dumps complements debugging.

Common pitfalls

Following steps without understanding the concept.
Skipping testing in a non-production system.
Applying blindly to a different scenario.

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Check your understanding

Which statement is true of Debug ABAP?
- A. Watchpoints break when a variable changes.
- B. SAP certification validates your skills and is often expected for consulting and partner roles.
- C. This downloads hub gathers practical, reusable SAP assets, templates, cheat sheets, sample projects and…
Show answer
A. Watchpoints break when a variable changes.
Covered in the “Notes and tips” section of this lesson.
Which of these also applies to Debug ABAP?
- A. Be careful changing values, especially in production (tightly controlled).
- B. Wrong capacity data, bad capacity planning.
- C. Reading tables directly instead of using CDS/reports where appropriate.
Show answer
A. Be careful changing values, especially in production (tightly controlled).
Covered in the “Notes and tips” section of this lesson.
Which part of the Learn SAP curriculum covers Debug ABAP?
- A. SAP APIs
- B. SAP how-to guides
- C. SAP best practices
Show answer
B. SAP how-to guides
This lesson sits in the SAP how-to guides section of the Learn SAP course.

Frequently asked questions

What does the term Debug ABAP refer to in SAP?

Debugging lets you step through ABAP and inspect data at runtime. This guide shows how to start and use the debugger effectively.

Which transaction codes come up with Debug ABAP?

Set a breakpoint: in the editor (ADT/SE80), or type /h in the command field before running a transaction. Run the program/transaction; execution stops at the breakpoint. Step through with F5 (into), F6 (over), F7 (return); inspect variables and internal tables.

What is worth remembering about Debug ABAP in practice?

The skill is breaking in the right place, use a breakpoint on the error message or exception rather than stepping through thousands of lines.

What tends to go wrong with Debug ABAP?

Following steps without understanding the concept. Skipping testing in a non-production system. Applying blindly to a different scenario.