Introduction to SAP Build Code
SAP Build Code is an AI-powered cloud development environment designed to simplify and accelerate application development on SAP BTP. It is tailored for SAP Cloud Application Programming Model (CAP), SAP Fiori, mobile, and SAPUI5 developers. SAP Build Code combines coding, testing, and app management into a seamless experience.
It integrates SAP Business Application Studio with key services and SDKs on SAP BTP, and includes data models, services, sample data, and Joule, for automatic generation of code . Using SAP Build Code, developers can efficiently build applications that follow best practices and guidelines from the SAP BTP Developer’s Guide. SAP Build Code features the following capabilities:
- Optimized for SAP software development
It is tailored for SAP solution development and includes pre-built integrations, APIs, and business services. It is built on SAP BTP and benefits from many proven SAP BTP capabilities, including trusted security.
- Prebuilt components and templates
It offers various prebuilt components and templates based on best practices that developers can use to accelerate their applications. These components include UI elements, business logic, and integrations. The following image displays the templates available for creating projects.
- AI-powered assistance
It provides AI-powered assistance, enabling developers to build their applications more quickly and efficiently. This assistance includes generating code and app logic, building data models, and writing test scripts etc.
- Cloud-based development
SAP Build Code is a fully cloud-based solution, allowing developers to access it from anywhere with an internet connection.
- Visual programming tools and guided wizards
SAP Build Code offers many productivity tools, boosting efficiency and ensuring compliance with best practices and guidance outlined in the [SAP BTP Developer's Guide]
In essence, SAP Build Code is more than just a development tool. It is a productivity enhancer that enables developers to build robust and dynamic applications. With SAP Build Code, you can:
- Achieve a clean core by developing side-by-side extensions with SAP Build Code on SAP BTP.
- Optimize developer efficiency with generative AI, productivity tools, and application lifecycle management.
- Build and extend powerful end-to-end business applications.
- Leverage interoperability between classic development and low-code development tools.
Verifying Build Code Subscription
After running the Build Code booster (which optimizes the setup process), the Build Code subscription is prepared and configured. Let’s quickly verify it.
From the navigation pane, choose Services→Instances and Subscriptions. Make sure you are subscribed to SAP Business Application Studio and SAP Build Code.
Verifying Build Code Role Assignments
From the navigation pane, select Security→Role Collections. Then, search for the Build Code Administrator role collection.
Open the role collection and make sure you see the users you have added in the booster.
Next, search and open the Build Code Developer role collection, and once again make sure you see the users you have added in the booster.
Exploring the SAP Build Lobby
The SAP Build Lobby is the central start page for all projects of the SAP Build Suite (Build Apps, Build Code, Build Process Automation and Build Work Zone). It provides an overview of your projects, allows you to create new projects, manage existing ones, and offers access to various features and resources. From here, you can consume components created with the SAP Build Suite.
The SAP Build Lobby offers you the following key features:
- Project Overview
The lobby displays a list of all your projects, categorized by the following types: SAP Build Code, SAP Build Apps, SAP Build Process Automation, and SAP Build Work Zone. You can filter and sort the list to quickly find specific projects.
For each project a number of actions are available including releasing a project, publishing to a library, exporting, renaming, deleting, saving as a new project, and managing members. To get a better overview, you can filter and sort the entries in the list.
- Create New Projects
By choosing Create, you can create new projects.
- Clone Existing Projects
By choosing Clone from Git, you can clone existing projects from a Git repository.
- Import Projects
By choosing Add from Dev Space, you can create new projects by importing them from another Dev Space.
To access the SAP Build Lobby, choose Services→Instances and Subscriptions from the navigation pane, then choose SAP Build Code under Subscriptions. The SAP Build Lobby opens in a new browser tab or window.
In the upper right corner of the screen, you can find the icon to switch products and access additional resources. This includes links to the SAP BTP cockpit, the Dev Space Manager, the roadmap, and enablement materials
Creating a DEV Space in SAP Build Code
A Dev Space in SAP Build Code is your own preconfigured development environment in the cloud. Each Dev Space comes with the right set of tools and extensions to help you build specific business solutions, such as side-by-side extensions or mobile applications .
- Pre-installed tools & runtimes
- Easy to set up and get started
- Isolated environment for each developer or project
Let’s go through the steps to set up your first dev space for full stack cloud application development.
- Open Dev Space Manager from the SAP Build Code Lobby.
- Choose Create Dev Space on the landing page.
- Choose the Application Type and enter the Dev Space Name.
- Choose Create Dev Space.
Your new Dev Space will display the status, STARTING. Wait a few minutes until the status changes to RUNNING.
Note
The starting process may take a few minutes as all necessary tools and templates are installed. - Click on the Dev Space name to open it.
The Get Started tab appears in your workspace. And there’s no open workspace or folder yet.
Best Practices for Managing Your Dev Space
- Regular Backup
Dev spaces cannot be recovered once they are deleted. You can sync your project to a Git repository to ensure you don’t lose your work.
- Resource Management
Dev spaces use CPU, memory, and energy while running. You can stop your dev space when not in use to save resources. Your dev spaces might automatically stop after being idle for a while.
To restart, go to the Build Code Lobby, choose the Product Switch icon on the top right corner, then choose Dev Space Manager, and then choose your dev space. After you restart a stopped dev space, all your content, including files and settings, remains available.
- Updating Extensions
To apply updates or bug fixes, stop your dev space and start it again.
You have now successfully created a dev space for full stack cloud application development in SAP Build Code. You’re ready to start building your next cloud application.
Summary
- SAP Build Code Overview
SAP Build Code is an AI-powered, cloud-based development environment optimized for SAP BTP. It offers integrated coding, testing, and application management, with built-in best practices and productivity-enhancing AI assistance.
- Key Features of SAP Build Code
Includes prebuilt components and templates, visual programming tools, guided wizards, and seamless interoperability between classic and low-code development approaches.
- Subscription and Access
Ensure you are subscribed to SAP Business Application Studio and SAP Build Code and verify correct role assignments for administrators and developers.
- SAP Build Lobby
Central hub for managing all SAP Build Suite projects; supports creating, cloning, importing projects, and accessing additional resources.
- Dev Space Creation
Set up isolated, preconfigured cloud-based dev spaces with the necessary tools and runtimes for efficient business application development.
- Dev Space Best Practices
Regularly back up your work using Git, manage resource usage by stopping inactive dev spaces, and keep extensions up to date by restarting the dev space as needed.