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what is the difference between BAPI and RFC

Former Member
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Hi ALL,

I am new to ABAP can anybody tell me the difference between BAPI and RFC and in which situations those will be used.

Thanks in Advance

Regards

Ravikumar

6 REPLIES 6

Former Member
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Hi

what is BAPI?

BAPI stands for Business API(Application Program Interface).

A BAPI is remotely enabled function module ie it can be invoked from remote programs like standalone JAVA programs, web interface etc..

You can make your function module remotely enabled in attributes of Function module but

A BAPI are standard SAP function modules provided by SAP for remote access. Also they are part of Businees Objest Repository(BOR).

BAPI are RFC enabled function modules. the difference between RFc and BAPI are business objects. You create business objects and those are then registered in your BOR (Business Object Repository) which can be accessed outside the SAP system by using some other applications (Non-SAP) such as VB or JAVA. in this case u only specify the business object and its method from external system in BAPI there is no direct system call. while RFC are direct system call Some BAPIs provide basic functions and can be used for most SAP business object types. These BAPIs should be implemented the same for all business object types. Standardized BAPIs are easier to use and prevent users having to deal with a number of different BAPIs. Whenever possible, a standardized BAPI must be used in preference to an individual BAPI.

The following standardized BAPIs are provided:

Reading instances of SAP business objects

GetList ( ) With the BAPI GetList you can select a range of object key values, for example, company codes and material numbers.

The BAPI GetList() is a class method.

GetDetail() With the BAPI GetDetail() the details of an instance of a business object type are retrieved and returned to the calling program. The instance is identified via its key. The BAPI GetDetail() is an instance method. BAPIs that can create, change or delete instances of a business object type

The following BAPIs of the same object type have to be programmed so that they can be called several times within one transaction. For example, if, after sales order 1 has been created, a second sales order 2 is created in the same transaction, the second BAPI call must not affect the consistency of the sales order 2. After completing the transaction with a COMMIT WORK, both the orders are saved consistently in the database.

Create( ) and CreateFromData! ( )

The BAPIs Create() and CreateFromData() create an instance of an SAP business object type, for example, a purchase order. These BAPIs are class methods.

Change( )

The BAPI Change() changes an existing instance of an SAP business object type, for example, a purchase order. The BAPI Change () is an instance method.

Delete( ) and Undelete( ) The BAPI Delete() deletes an instance of an SAP business object type from the database or sets a deletion flag.

The BAPI Undelete() removes a deletion flag. These BAPIs are instance methods.

Cancel ( ) Unlike the BAPI Delete(), the BAPI Cancel() cancels an instance of a business object type. The instance to be cancelled remains in the database and an additional instance is created and this is the one that is actually canceled. The Cancel() BAPI is an instance method.

Add<subobject> ( ) and Remove<subobject> ( ) The BAPI Add<subobject> adds a subobject to an existing object inst! ance and the BAPI and Remove<subobject> removes a subobject from an object instance. These BAPIs are instance methods.

BAPI-step by step

http://www.sapgenie.com/abap/bapi/example.htm

just refer to the link below

http://www.sapmaterial.com/?gclid=CN322K28t4sCFQ-WbgodSGbK2g

list of all bapis

http://www.planetsap.com/LIST_ALL_BAPIs.htm

for BAPI's

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/bapiintro.pdf

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/bapiprg.pdf

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/bapiactx.pdf

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/bapilst.pdf

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/bapiexer.pdf

http://service.sap.com/ale

http://service.sap.com/bapi

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCMIDAPII/CABFAAPIINTRO.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/CABFABAPIREF/CABFABAPIPG.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCFESDE8/BCFESDE8.pdf

http://www.planetsap.com/Bapi_main_page.htm

http://www.topxml.com/sap/sap_idoc_xml.asp

http://www.sapdevelopment.co.uk/

http://www.sapdevelopment.co.uk/java/jco/bapi_jco.pdf

Also refer to the following links..

www.sap-img.com/bapi.htm

www.sap-img.com/abap/bapi-conventions.htm

www.planetsap.com/Bapi_main_page.htm

www.sapgenie.com/abap/bapi/index.htm

Checkout !!

http://searchsap.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid21_gci948835,00.html

http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6329-1051160.html#

Example Code

U need to give the step_nr, item_nr, cond_count and cond_type so the correct conditon will be updated. If no condition exists for the given parameters, a new condition will be created.

U can find these parameters for a particular condition type in table KONV.

&----


*& Form saveTransactionJOCR

&----


  • text

----


  • --> p1 text

  • <-- p2 text

----


FORM saveTransactionJOCR .

data: salesdocument like BAPIVBELN-VBELN,

order_header_inx like bapisdh1x,

order_header_in like bapisdh1,

return type standard table of bapiret2 with header line,

conditions_in type standard table of bapicond with header line,

conditions_inx type standard table of bapicondx with header line,

logic_switch like BAPISDLS,

step_nr like conditions_in-cond_st_no,

item_nr like conditions_in-itm_number,

cond_count like conditions_in-cond_count,

cond_type like conditions_in-cond_type.

salesdocument = wa_order_information-VBELN.

LOGIC_SWITCH-COND_HANDL = 'X'.

order_header_inx-updateflag = 'U'.

  • conditions

clear conditions_in[].

clear conditions_inx[].

clear: step_nr,

item_nr,

cond_count,

cond_type.

step_nr = '710'.

item_nr = '000000'.

cond_count = '01'.

cond_type = 'ZCP2'.

CONDITIONS_IN-ITM_NUMBER = item_nr.

conditions_in-cond_st_no = step_nr.

CONDITIONS_IN-COND_COUNT = cond_count.

CONDITIONS_IN-COND_TYPE = cond_type.

CONDITIONS_IN-COND_VALUE = 666.

CONDITIONS_IN-CURRENCY = 'EUR'.

append conditions_in.

CONDITIONS_INX-ITM_NUMBER = item_nr.

conditions_inx-cond_st_no = step_nr.

CONDITIONS_INX-COND_COUNT = cond_count.

CONDITIONS_INX-COND_TYPE = cond_type.

CONDITIONS_INX-UPDATEFLAG = 'U'.

CONDITIONS_INX-COND_VALUE = 'X'.

CONDITIONS_INX-CURRENCY = 'X'.

append conditions_inx.

CALL FUNCTION 'BAPI_SALESORDER_CHANGE'

EXPORTING

SALESDOCUMENT = salesdocument

ORDER_HEADER_IN = order_header_in

ORDER_HEADER_INX = order_header_inx

LOGIC_SWITCH = logic_switch

TABLES

RETURN = return

CONDITIONS_IN = conditions_in

CONDITIONS_INX = conditions_inx

.

if return-type ne 'E'.

commit work and wait.

endif.

ENDFORM. " saveTransactionJOCR

Bdc to Bapi

The steps to be followed are :

1. Find out the relevant BAPI (BAPI_SALESORDER_CHANGE for VA02).

[for VA01 use BAPI_SALESORDER_CREATEFROMDAT2]

2. Create a Z program and call the BAPi (same as a Funtion module call).

2. Now, if you see this BAPi, it has

-> Importing structures.

eg: SALESDOCUMENT: this will take the Sales order header data as input.

-> Tables parameters:

eg: ORDER_ITEM_IN: this will take the line item data as input.

Note :

Only specify fields that should be changed

Select these fields by entering an X in the checkboxes

Enter a U in the UPDATEFLAG field

Always specify key fields when changing the data, including in the checkboxes

The configuration is an exception here. If this needs to be changed, you need to complete it again fully.

Maintain quantities and dates in the schedule line data

Possible UPDATEFLAGS:

U = change

D = delete

I = add

Example

1. Delete the whole order

2. Delete order items

3. Change the order

4. Change the configuration

Notes

1. Minimum entry:

You must enter the order number in the SALESDOCUMENT structure.

You must always enter key fields for changes.

You must always specify the update indicator in the ORDER_HEADER_INX.

2. Commit control:

The BAPI does not run a database Commit, which means that the application must trigger the Commit so that the changes are read to the database. To do this, use the BAPI_TRANSACTION_COMMIT BAPI.

For further details... refer to the Function Module documentation for the BAPi.

Bapi to VB(Visual Basic)

Long back I had used the following flow structure to acheive the same.

Report -> SM59 RFC destination -> COM4ABAP -> VB.exe

my report uses the rfc destination to create a COM session with com4abap. com4abap calls the vb.exe and manages the flow of data between sap and vb exe.

You need to have com4abap.exe

If com4abap is installed you will find it in sapgui installatin directory , C:\Program Files\SAPpc\sapgui\RFCSDK\com4abap.

else refer OSS note 419822 for installation of com4abap

after making the settings in com4abap to point to the vb program and setting up rfc destination in sm59 to point to com4abap session , you can use the following function modules to call the vb code.

for setting up com4abap and rfc destination please refer to the documentation for com4abap.

  • Invoke NEW DCOM session

call function 'BEGIN_COM_SESSION'

exporting

service_dest = service_dest "(this will be a RFC destination created in SM59)

importing

worker_dest = worker_dest

exceptions

connect_to_dcom_service_failed = 1

connect_to_dcom_worker_failed = 2

others = 3.

call function 'create_com_instance' destination worker_dest

exporting

clsid = g_c_clsid

typelib = g_c_typelib

importing

instid = g_f_oid

exceptions

communication_failure = 1 message g_f_msg

system_failure = 2 message g_f_msg

invalid_instance_id = 3

others = 4.

call function 'com_invoke' destination worker_dest

exporting

%instid = g_f_oid

%method = 'UpdatePDF'

sntemp = g_v_const_filent

snsysid = sy-sysid

snflag = 'N'

tables

rssaptable = g_t_pdfdetail1

%return = g_t_pdfdetail1 "t_test

exceptions

communication_failure = 1 message g_f_msg

system_failure = 2 message g_f_msg

invalid_instance_id = 3

others = 4.

then close the com session , using

FM delete_com_instance

FM END_COM_SESSION

Regards

Anji

Former Member
0 Kudos

Hi Ravi,

BAPIs are RFC(Remote)-enabled function modules meaning that they provide users from external systems the ability to access to SAP systems and their functionality.

To be clear, BAPIs are more than traditional RFC-enabled func modules. They actuallly work through SAP business objects (customers, sales orders).

Remote Function Call:

RFC is an SAP interface protocol.

RFC is a fun module similar to other fun modulkes with special Parameter as DESTINATIOn and in the attributes you have to make it as RFC ebnables

where as BAPI is the API of the BUSINESS OBJECT which you see in SWo1 Tcode

Based on CPI-C, it considerably simplifies the programming of communication processes between systems.

RFCs enable you to call and execute predefined functions in a remote system - or even in the same system.

RFCs manage the communication process, parameter transfer and error handling.

A BAPI is remotely enabled function module

ie it can be invoked from remote programs like standalone JAVA programs, web interface etc..

You can make your function module remotely enabled in attributes of Function module but

A BAPI are standard SAP function modules provided by SAP for remote access.

Also they are part of Businees Objest Repository(BOR).

Some BAPIs provide basic functions and can be used for most SAP business object types.

These BAPIs should be implemented the same for all business object types.

Standardized BAPIs are easier to use and prevent users having to deal with a number of different BAPIs.

Whenever possible, a standardized BAPI must be used in preference to an individual BAPI.

Reward for helpful.

Regards,

Harini.S

Former Member
0 Kudos

hi

good

BAPI stands for Business Application Programming Interface. It is a library of functions that are released to the public as an interface into an existing SAP system from an external system.

RFC is the protocol used to call functions in an R/3 system by a caller external to R/3 or to call programs external to R/3 from an R/3 system.

Functions can only be called via RFC, if they are tagged as RFC functions in the SAP development workbench. They are then called RFC function modules. BAPIs are complete sets of (BAPI) function modules that model a business application.

When you are familiar with web developments: RFC can be compared to HTTP and BAPIs are CGI applications.

In other words: A BAPI function is a function module that can be called remotely using the RFC technology.

reward point if helpful.

thanks

mrutyun^

Former Member
0 Kudos

Hi,

BAPI stands for Business Application Programming Interface. It is a library of functions that are released to the public as an interface into an existing SAP system from an external system.

RFC is the protocol used to call functions in an R/3 system by a caller external to R/3 or to call programs external to R/3 from an R/3 system.

Functions can only be called via RFC, if they are tagged as RFC functions in the SAP development workbench. They are then called RFC function modules. BAPIs are complete sets of (BAPI) function modules that model a business application.

When you are familiar with web developments: RFC can be compared to HTTP and BAPIs are CGI applications.

In other words: A BAPI function is a function module that can be called remotely using the RFC technology.

Please check the links,

<b>Rewad if usefull</b>

hymavathi_oruganti
Active Contributor
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Note that Every BAPI is an RFC.

But every RFC is not a BAPI.

BAPI should have a structure in se11 starting with zbapi/ybapi.

the RFC uses that strucuture for the logic.

BAPI is for data trasfaer bertween nonsap to sap and also sap to sap.

But every RFC need not do that.

varma_narayana
Active Contributor
0 Kudos

Hi Ravi..

<b>RFC </b>- Is the Proprietary communication protocol of SAP. It is used to call the Remote Function Modules in an SAP System From external (SAP or NON SAP) systems.

<b>BAPI </b>- Is a Method of Business Object .

Each BAPI will be assigned to a Remote function Module.

So BAPI can also be called like an RFC from External systems.

But : BAPI always runs in Background.

BAPI cannot have EXCEPTIONS . RFC can have exceptions.

Every BAPI must have a RETURN Parameter to return the Error messages.

<b>reward if Helpful.</b>