Executing ABAP Task Lists for Automated Configuration

In SAP systems, you can automate many configuration tasks using predefined task lists. You can automate many configuration tasks using the ABAP task manager for lifecycle management automation (ABAP task manager). The ABAP task manager guides you through extensive configuration processes with predefined task lists, which you can customize as needed. You can also create your own task lists.

SAP offers predefined task lists for the following use cases:

ABAP Initial Setup

After installing a new SAP system, you can use task list to set up and configure the system to be able to use it. For example, you can create logon groups, configure the transport management system, configure security settings, or install an SAP license.

Security Checks

With task list for security checks, you can perform security system smoke tests, such as checking the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) configuration or the basis system configuration.

SAP Fiori Setup

In order to enable SAP Fiori, you can perform system configuration tasks for SAP Gateway or SAP Fiori launchpad. For example, you perform basic configuration steps for SAP Gateway or activate launchpad OData and HTTP services on a Gateway system.

Embedded Search

You can run task lists to automate enterprise search configuration and administration.

ABAP Post-Copy Automation

There are also predefined task lists for ABAP post-copy automation. However, they are only available if you own an SAP Landscape Management (SAP LaMa) respectively SAP Landscape Virtualization Management (SAP LVM) enterprise edition license. Contact your SAP representative to obtain a license to make this function available.

For more information, check the SAP Help documentation: https://help.sap.com/docs/ABAP_PLATFORM_NEW/b5670aaaa2364a29935f40b16499972d/1c8a2c5084505f03e10000000a44176f.html

SAP is delivering a lot of automation content for ABAP systems in the form of task lists that you can adapt and execute in the ABAP task manager. The figure ABAP Task List - Step Examples only lists some of the examples for possible task list steps, such as create transport requests or check profile parameters. In up-to-date AS ABAP-based SAP systems, there are more than 900 task list steps available.

The ABAP Task manager comprise two transaction in an SAP system:

• STC01 - ABAP task manager for lifecycle management automation where you can create and execute task lists
• STC02 - Task list run monitor to display the log of executed task lists

In transaction STC01 you can do the following:

• Display task lists and included tasks.

• Add, remove, or change tasks in an existing task list.

• Delete task lists which are no longer needed.

• Copy task lists.

• Run a task list (in dialog or as background job).

• Create a variant of a task list (in case of tasks with parameters).

• Run a task list variant.

The figure Creating Task Lists illustrates the process of creating a task list. To create a task list, you need to perform the following steps in a development system:

1. On the initial screen of STC01, enter a name for the new task list.
   Note

   When you create your own task lists, you create new development objects in the repository of the SAP system. Thus, the object must be created in the customer namespace.
2. Choose Create New Task List.
3. Provide a task list documentation by adding a related document class and documentation object if available.
4. Add tasks from the predefined tasks in the system.

   The tasks belong to different automation phases. Not every task is a configuration task. Also other phases are possible, such as preparation, cleanup, post-processing or others.

5. Reorder tasks if needed and add the parameter settings according to your needs.
6. Save the new task list.
7. Since a task list is considered as a development object, you have to provide a package from the object repository or save it as a local object.
8. Provide a transport request to be able to transport the task list in your system landscape.

If you want to execute an ABAP task list, whether it is your own created one or an SAP predefined task list, you have to generate a task list run. The ABAP task manager assigns a name to the task list run automatically. The list displays the tasks in the order of their execution that is defined for a successful configuration.

Some tasks may require an input. You can provide it as parameter in the Parameter column of each task. For some tasks input is mandatory. If you don't provide it, either a default setting applies or the task list will stop and prompt you for input.

After all information has been maintained, you can run or resume the task list in dialog mode. You can also schedule a background job that will execute the task list at a certain point in time.

If the task list run has any errors, it will stop. Choose the Status column of the failed task to see the log in the lower screen area. It provides detailed information and further instructions. You should resolve the problem and resume the task list run.

If you can not resolve the problem, deselect the task in the task list run to skip it. The configuration step is then not included in the process.

You can monitor executed task list runs in transaction STC02. There, you can display log information for task list runs.

1. Call transaction STC02.
2. Search for the task list run you want to view. You can also search for the task list to display all related task list runs.
3. Choose Task List Run → Display Log .

For more information about working with task lists in general and the required authorizations, see the official documentation: https://help.sap.com/docs/ABAP_PLATFORM_NEW/b5670aaaa2364a29935f40b16499972d/1c8a2c5084505f03e10000000a44176f.html.

For more information about task lists in the area of SAP Fiori, check the online documentation: https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_FIORI_OVERVIEW/9b4ee51ce91e4a9cadd5e6d43c2992ba/bfd1b053a647e842e10000000a4450e5.html.