Understanding Software Structure and Logistics

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to create an ABAP package

ABAP Package

Organizing Development

When you create a development object in the ABAP environment, you must assign it to a package. Packages serve as containers for all of the development objects that logically belong together. Each package is also assigned to a software component. The complete set of development objects in the system is referred to as the ABAP Repository. Consequently, development objects are also often called repository objects.

You develop your applications in a development environment, but must then ensure that they can be tested in an appropriate test environment before being moved on to the production environment. Typically, you will have a single global account and a subaccount for each of the development, test, and production environments. Software components allow you to transport your objects.

Transport Request

When you create a new development object or change an existing one, you must assign it to a transport request. Transport requests ensure that all development objects that logically belong together are transported together into the test, and subsequently the production system.

Each transport request has an owner, and the owner can assign other users to the request. In this way, transport requests support team development.

When an object is included in a transport request, it is locked. This means that it can only be edited by a user who is assigned to the same request.

When work on all of the objects in the request is finished, all of the developers assigned to it must release their work. After this, the owner of the request can release the entire request. If the transport request belongs to a transportable software component, the system administrator can import it into the test system for testing.

When you release any kind of transport request, the system releases the locks on the objects in the request, so that any developer can access them again.

To learn how to create an ABAP package, refer to the demonstration, How to Create a Package.

How to Create an ABAP Package

Create an ABAP Package

In this exercise, you first add package /LRN/S4D400_EXERCISE to the list of Favorite Packages. You then create a new package under the superpackage ZLOCAL (suggested name: ZS4D400_## where ## is your group number).

Note

This package will be the home for all development objects that you will create in this course.

Your new package should have the following attributes:

AttributeValue
NameZS4D400_##, where ## is your group number
DescriptionMy ABAP Package
Add to favorite packagesChecked
SuperpackageZLOCAL
Package TypeDevelopment
Software ComponentZLOCAL
Application ComponentLeave this field blank
Transport LayerLeave this field blank

Steps

  1. Add package /LRN/S4D400_EXERCISE to the list of Favorite Packages.

    1. In the Project Explorer on the left, expand your ABAP cloud project and then sub node Favorite Packages.

    2. Right-click Favorite Packages and choose Add Package ....

    3. In the search field, enter /LRN/S4D400.

    4. From the list of matching items, select /LRN/S4D400_EXERCISE, then choose OK.

  2. In your ABAP Cloud project, create a new package with the attributes listed above. When you are prompted for a transport choose the transport request in which you are involved. If no transport request is listed, create a new request.

    1. In the Project Explorer, right-click on your ABAP Cloud Project and choose NewABAP Package.

    2. Enter the package name ZS4D400_## where ## is your group number.

    3. Enter the description My ABAP Package.

    4. Mark the checkbox Add to favorite packages

    5. Enter the superpackage ZLOCAL.

    6. Ensure that the Package Type is set to Development.

    7. Choose Next.

    8. Ensure the Software component is set to ZLOCAL.

    9. Ensure that Application component is empty.

    10. Ensure that Transport layer is empty.

    11. Choose Next.

    12. Check if there is a transport request listed under option Choose from requests in which I am involved. If this is the case, choose this option. If the list is empty, choose the option Create a new request and enter a request description, for example ABAP Exercises.

    13. Choose Finish.

  3. Ensure that your new package has been added to the Favorite Packages.

    1. In the Project Explorer on the left, expand your ABAP cloud project and then sub node Favorite Packages.

    2. Make sure your own package, ZS4D400_##, is listed here. If not, add it like you added package /LRN/S4D400_EXERCISE earlier.

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