SAPscript , SMARTforms and missing Print workbench configuration

[Former Member]

Hello output experts,

I would appreciate your advice re ABAP Output development (SMARTforms vs SAPscript): We are establishing development standards for our global development team and I would like to know what SAP recommends re the use of SMARTforms and SAPscript.

SMARTforms is the newer technology that processes outputs faster, but the configuration is not always available. For the manufacturing outputs where no SMARTforms customizing is available, a dummy SAPscript was customised (empty), and a SMARTform called directly from the program.

What is SAPu2019s recommendation?

- to use Smartforms" rather than "SAPScriptu201D for new outputs development (please confirm)

- to only use SAPscript if SMARTforms configuration is not available - or is the approach using an empty SAPscript described above acceptable?

- Can the output configuration in the Print Workbench or IMG be changed to point directly to a SMARTform when not available?

I have not been able to find an answer to my question on either SDN nor SAPhelp. We are using SAP R/3 Version 640.

Thank you in anticipation for your assistance.

[Former Member]

Hi,

it is really hard to give an complete answer to your question(s).

But i will give a try.

Both, SAPscript and smartforms need a printprogram.

In a printprogram for a sapscript there is exactly programcoding for printing which items of the sapscript.

this means that SAP-script and progra must be synchronized.

In a printprogram for a smartform all needed data is gathered in a internal (complex) table. In The Smartforms itself is coded which data is where printed. Also is it in smartform easy to build-in abap-logic to read/get missing data from the database.

The program for a sapscript differs very much from the program for smartforms. So mostly is the decision for Smartfroms or sapscript depending on the existing printprogram code.

If no coding exists.

Then you should make a decsion yourself.

concerning the following:

the printcoding for a smartforms is easier. You only gathering data and starts the smartforms with that data.

For sapscripts you gathers data and then gonna start the sapscripts and tell the sapscript what and when its has to print.

The smartform is easier to understand for non-technical. And many things can be done without changing the printprogram.

From this point of view you better choose smartforms in such a case.

So far. hope you can use this.

Gr., Frank

[Former Member]

Hi Renee,

What is SAPu2019s recommendation?

- to use Smartforms" rather than "SAPScriptu201D for new outputs development

Answer: It's better to use smartforms in new developemnts bcz it is easy to develop and it is having many advantages over scripts. and smartform is client independent.

- to only use SAPscript if SMARTforms configuration is not available - or is the approach using an empty SAPscript described above acceptable?

Answer: for a requirement if standard script and smartform both exist then better to use smartform. if only script exists then we can use that. we need to for new smartform development. in NACE we can configure script/smartform. that facility is available. so why to use a dummy script. we can directly use smartform there.

- Can the output configuration in the Print Workbench or IMG be changed to point directly to a SMARTform when not available?

Answer: in NACE transaction we can configure any of these.

For your information here are advantages and differences of smartforms and scripts..

SAP Scripts are client dependent whereas Smartforms are client independent.

SAP Scripts require a driver program to display the output whereas How to Create smartform Outpout as a PDF file and save it in smartforms the form routines can be written so that it is standalone.

An integrated Form Builder helps to design Smartforms more easily than SAP Scripts

An Table Painter and Smartstyles to assist in building up the smartforms

On activation a function module is generated for Smartforms

It is possible to create a Smartform without a main window

Smartforms generates XML output which can be viewed through the web

Multiple page formats is possible in smartforms

In scripts coloring of texts is not possible where as in smartforms we can have colored texts

In scripts we can have conditions like if..endif,case..endcase where as in smartforms it doesnot support

we have different types of windows in smartforms when compared to scripts there in scripts we have main,variable and constant windows.Here we have withrespect to main secondary and final as wellas copies windows.