cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

why smartform is client independent

Former Member
0 Kudos

hello gurus,

i want to know why smartform is client independent...

but u may be telling answer it will generate function module, but when comes comes SAP scripts it has function modules..

then y did smartforms came into picture when there is already SAP scripts

tell me advantages over scripts when compared to smartforms

Regards

baskar

Accepted Solutions (1)

Accepted Solutions (1)

Former Member
0 Kudos

Hi,

• SAP uses SF to create and maintain forms for mass printing in a completely graphical user interface, by using very minimum programming skills.

• As a output medium SF supports printer, Fax, email or internet (by using generated XML output.)

It endows SAP end users to create and modify forms with minimum basics of ABAP programming skills (to create a customer specific application program or to include calculation routines).

Features:

• Multiple pages format possible in SF.

• Main window may not be there in SF.

• Labels cannot be created in SF (Disadvantage)

• Routines can be written in SF.

• To print a form, you need a program for data retrieval and a SF that contains the entire form logic. SF creates a function module when activated.

• SF allow you to execute simple modifications to the form and in the form logic by using simple graphical tools.

• Design a form using the graphical Form Painter and the graphical Table Painter. The form logic is represented by a hierarchy structure that consists of individual nodes, such as nodes for global settings, nodes for texts, nodes for output tables, or nodes for graphics.

• You can insert static and dynamic tables. This includes line feeds in individual table cells, triggering events for table headings and subtotals, and sorting data before output.

• SF allows to include graphics which you can display either as part of the form or as background graphics.

Answers (4)

Answers (4)

Former Member
0 Kudos

Dear friend,

First of all we discuss about what is dependent and independent?

Here client dependent means we can access in that client only. whereas client independent means we can access in any client. we need not bother about the client here. so it is very flexible to do the work.

In this script is client dependent, why because all stand programs are stored in one client only . we r copying that standard programs and we r doing the process.

where as in smartforms it is client independent. we can write the code r designed the layout in any client.

in scripts we need to write the function modules, it doesnot generate the function modules.

in smartforms system automatically generate the function modules.

here in scripts what ever the code we write in print program. where as in sf we write cod ein layout level also

there is a drawback in scripts what that is we can design background layout, it is very difficult to design.

where as in smartforms we can design very easily bu using table painter, graphic toolbar.

please reward point if it is helpful

regards,

satish

former_member196280
Active Contributor
0 Kudos

Smartforms has been made client independent after facing the problems in SAPscript -- old technique. They have created a new technique SF with all compatabilities.

Regards,

SaiRam

Former Member
0 Kudos

Hi

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

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.

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

Anji

Former Member
0 Kudos

If you search the forum for Form printing you will find lots of answers to this question.

Regards,

Nick