SCRIPTS/SMARTFORS

[Former Member]

Hello All,

Can anybody explain How can we justify SCRIPTS are client dependent and SMARTFORMS are not?

Thanks and Regards

Maadhu

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi,

SAPscript technology is based on a mainframe product from the 1980s, while Smart Forms have only been around since (roughly) 2001. With that sort of time gap, there are bound to be significant differences between the two tools. As you have noted correctly, client dependence is a fundamental one.

Although SAPscript has had some incremental improvements over time, its forms have always been -- under the hood -- relatively passive objects, with minimal embedded logic. These forms were designed to be driven and controlled by ABAP programs, much in the way ABAP programs read in database tables to produce reports; if you ever download a SAPscript form (e.g., via utility program RSTXSCRP), and look at the portable text file it produces you'll see what I mean. Many text objects (e.g., invoice header texts) are bound directly to documents which are client-dependent, so it makes sense for these text objects to also be client-dependent. From a complexity standpoint, SAPscript forms are close enough to these text objects where I can see how it made sense at the time to make them client-dependent too.

Conversely, a Smart Form is significantly more robust and complex. For instance, it can contain program nodes and nested tables with patterns. When a Smart Form is compiled, it generates an ABAP function module – and these are always client-independent. This is appropriate, given that this form has more in common with an ABAP program than its predecessor. For instance, when a print program calls a Smart Form, the form itself takes over to produce output, without any further direction from the print program. In fact, the join is so seamless that I often find myself using a Smart Form's Initialization section for logic to handle any data gathering not handled by the print program. I would never even think to attempt this with SAPscript.

I suspect several factors figured into SAP's decision to make Smart Forms client-independent, including customer feedback. There are significant advantages to client-independence. For instance, a change made in one development client happens immediately across all development clients. Among other things, this means we don't have to waste time figuring which client contains the most recent version -- they all do! In addition, transporting Smart Forms is easier, since we can safely bundle them together in the same transport as their client-independent print programs (no worry about mixing client-dependent and independent objects).

Regards

Sudheer

[Former Member]

Hi,

Here are few more differences.

a) Multiple page formats are possible in smartforms which is not the case in SAPScripts

b) It is possible to have a smartform without a main window .

c) Labels cannot be created in smartforms.

d) Routines can be written in smartforms tool.

e) Smartforms generates a function module when activated.

f) Unlike sapscripts (RSTXSCRP), you cannot upload/download Smartform to your local harddisk.

In R3 also, you can download into XML format. However, it's not sure about uploading. Refer to the program 'SF_XSF_DEMO'.

In 4.7 Enterprise, other have seen this utlity which is completey missing in 4.6c. There is functionality to downlaod a complete form or only a particular node. (Utilities -> Download form). It will create a XML file and save it in the hard disk.

For others, if you want to download/upload the Smartforms source, you will need the help from the Basis people. What you can do is to create a Transport and then FTP down to your local harddisk. When you need the Smartform source in another system, you have FTP up the Smartforms file back to the SAP server. Finally, the Basis team, will tp it into your system.

g) The protect and endprotect command in sapscript doesn't work with smartforms. For example on a invoice: First data of position no 80. is printed on page one, other data of position no 80 is printed on page 2. And there's nothing you can do about it. Actually, there is something you can do about it. By using a folder node and checking the 'protect' checkbox, everything in that folder will be page protected.

Sapscripts are saved in ITF format as text in client dependant tables STXH and STXL. smartforms are not saved in client dependant tables and visible across clients

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Regards

[Former Member]

Hi

Create a Script and one Smartform in One client and see practically

You will find the Smartform fun module available in the other client where as Script is not available in other client

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SMARTFORMS AND SAPSCRIPTS ARE:

1. script is client dependent one while smartform is client independent.

2. In scripts we have to write print program while in smart forms it is not necessary.

3. In scripts we can print background logo while in smartforms we cant print background logo

4. In scripts we have 99 main windows while in smartforms we have only 1 main window.

5. In scripts we should write paragraph format otherwise we cant execute program while in smartforms no need to create paragraph formats .

6. In scripts we can print the text in only two character formats.

while in smartforms we can do with more.

7. In scripts we dont have line types while in smartforms we have linetypes.

8.Multiple page formats are possible in smartforms which is not the case in SAPScripts

9.It is possible to have a smartform without a main window .

10.Labels cannot be created in smartforms.

11.Routines can be written in smartforms tool.

12.Smartforms generates a function module when activated.

SAPscript technology is based on a mainframe product from the 1980s, while Smart Forms have only been around since (roughly) 2001. With that sort of time gap, there are bound to be significant differences between the two tools. Client dependence is a fundamental one. Although SAPscript has had some incremental improvements over time, its forms have always been -- under the hood -- relatively ...

also refer

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Regards

Anji

[Former Member]

Hi,

Whenever a smartform is created, a funciton module gets generated. So, we can access the smartform in different clients. But in case of scripts, it is not so.. So, scripts are client dependent.

Smart Forms are implemented using the Function Module SSF*, and all the logic lies in the FM. Function Modules are client independent objects, so Smart forms are also client independent

SAP Scripts are the Layout Forms that you design and there are aviable in the client in which you have created them, for making them available you have to copy across the clients.

Because, Sapscripts are saved in ITF format as text in client dependant tables STXH and STXL. smartforms are not saved in client dependant tables and visible across clients.

Regards,

Priyanka.