Java(JSP/HTML) Connectivity with SAP BW Database

[Former Member]

Hi all,

I developed a <b>Java(JSP/HTML) Page application</b> that will allow developers to enter basic development information into a SAP BW database and to maintain status information weekly. The information gathered there will be made available to our customers via an intranet site they can access.This is:

- to keep our customers informed on the status of all developments / enhancements

- to maintain internal "project" information (not all information available in the database will be made available public)

I would like require some sort of help on this concept including

<u><b>1.How to connect the designed entry screenof Java(JSP/HTML)Page to BW Database and Is there any Special connectors to link this??</b></u>

<u><b>2.The controlled access to that entry screen via authorization control?</b></u>

<u><b>3. How to publish a query based on the datamodel on the web??</b></u>

I request your help on this topic and I appreciate it.

I look forward to receive early mail in this regard.

Kind regards

Chemicala SM Reddy

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi,

there are several ways to connect to the BW DB, one is to use a simple JDBC connection. However, it is not recommended to modify SAP standard tables directly via JDBC, unless of course these tables are your own, ie a table you defined yourself in the BW DB. Another way is to call an RFC module in the SAP BW server and send the data, the RFC module will then do the update for you. You might also be able to use the JAVA BI Development Kit (Check the developer areas of SDN).

If you're not planning to update standard SAP BW tables, then my suggestion is to create your DB-table(s) in the BW server, use JDBC to connect and update/delete them. Then you can have the BW server read from them with an extractor and load them to a cube or ODS, and from there on publish the information on the net via a report. There is also the possiblity of you updating another DB with JDBC (like a local small one - a MySQL DB for instance) and configure the BW server to read from it. BW can read from practically any DB.

As for your other 2 questions, I am not sure what you mean by the controlled access. Are you talking about the BW server or the JSP page? Do you want to authorize users on your JSP on the BW server? Then you need an RFC module for that which you call from your JSP. If you plan on calling RFC:s either for this or for the prior one (DB update), check the JAVA Connector. There are also ways to call an RFC without the JAVA Connector.

You can publish a query using the BW server's own web capabilities. The BW server can post queries on the net, it has it's own server for doing this (check with your BW people). You can just link the query in your intranet.

And lastly I can also mention another way of solving this, and that is using a BSP (Business Server Page). These pages work similarly to JSP's and are web-based. You can build your JSP page in a BSP instead on your BW server with the object designer (transaction se80). Via your BSP you have access to the entire BW server with ABAP. The BSP has a link to it that you can access from anywhere within your network or even from outside if you want.

Hope this helps.

kind regards,

Dionisios

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Dionisios ,

Thank you very much for your reply.

1.I think one of the best idea as you suggested is to create your DB-table(s) in the BW server, use JDBC to connect and update/delete them.Could you please mail me some more details or links how to connect with JDBC(Programming part)?

2. I want to authorize users on the developed JSP on the BW server. Regarding the Calling of RFC module & java connector,I need some more details/links for further programming aspect pls.

3.Regarding a BSP (Business Server Page)as I am new to this concept,how to build my JSP page in a BSP instead on BW server with the object designer (transaction se80)?? Via BSP how to access to the entire BW server with ABAP and The BSP links details to access from anywhere within my network or even from outside??

I appreciate your early mail and look forward to receive your mail in this regard.

Kind regards

Chemicala SM Reddy

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Chemicala,

1. Please check this link for a jdbc tutorial.

<a href="http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/jdbc/">http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/jdbc/</a>

2. The JCo can be found here <a href="http://service.sap.com/connectors">http://service.sap.com/connectors</a> However, you need a SAP ID to download. Also, the JCo is only free to use for development purposes. If you want to use it for commercial purposes there is a license fee you have to pay. The downloaded JCo package contains several code examples. But here is an additional reference. <a href="http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/35/42e13d82fcfb34e10000000a114084/content.htm">http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/35/42e13d82fcfb34e10000000a114084/content.htm</a>

I remember seeing other ways of connecting, but I am unable to find them now on the net. Do a search on Google and you will get many results.

3. The BSP runs on the BW WAS, much the same way a servlet runs on a J2EE engine. Within the context of the BW WAS, the BSP has access to all tables, function modules, data types etc. There are several sections on SDN that deal with BSP:s. Search the forums or SDN and you will find many resources. Creating a BSP requires some knowledge of SAP and ABAP though. Here is a link to a BSP tutorial

<a href="http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/c8/101c3a1cf1c54be10000000a114084/content.htm">http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/c8/101c3a1cf1c54be10000000a114084/content.htm</a>

Kind regards,

Dionisios

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi,

1) For database connection check out this code this would be simple for u:

InitialContext ctx=new InitialContext();

dataSource ds=(DataSource)ctx.lookup(jdbc/<alias name>);

Connection con=ds.getConnection();

This would help u connected with ur database.

2)check on to this links

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2005/helpdata/en/1a/0e3442539911d1898b0000e8322d00/frameset.htm

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2005/helpdata/en/f9/3f69fd11a80b4e93a5c9230bafc767/frameset.htm

3)This link would help u in BSP's

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2005/helpdata/en/7a/b86041397211d5992200508b6b8b11/frameset.htm

Hope this helps u.

Regards,

Nagarajan.