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Siva Prasad

Disclaimer -

  1. I do NOT do Live Training. SAP is a registered trademark of SAP AG in Germany and many other countries. I am NOT associated with SAP.
  2. SAP software and SAP GUI are proprietary SAP software. Neither Udemy nor me are authorized to provide SAP Access. You can officially get SAP Access to practice on SAP system from SAP's website. I am not allowed by Udemy to place a link here. Please google "SAP Access" and you can find the URL for the same

End of Disclaimer

What is this course all about ?

Read more

Disclaimer -

  1. I do NOT do Live Training. SAP is a registered trademark of SAP AG in Germany and many other countries. I am NOT associated with SAP.
  2. SAP software and SAP GUI are proprietary SAP software. Neither Udemy nor me are authorized to provide SAP Access. You can officially get SAP Access to practice on SAP system from SAP's website. I am not allowed by Udemy to place a link here. Please google "SAP Access" and you can find the URL for the same

End of Disclaimer

What is this course all about ?

Welcome to ABAP is the programming language of SAP - the most popular ERP. In the world of SAP consulting, there are 3 types of consultants.

  • Functional Consultants (

    I don't know Programming / Coding Scares me

    Programming is all about "logical" thinking. If you are a logical thinker ( which is a silly question, isn't it ? ) you can be a programmer. You need to be patient though. You don't need degrees or anything special background to learn this course. If there is one requirement, that is Patience. If you are impatient, I do not suggest you take this course - or for that matter any programming course.

    Not just me. I know many who are not comfortable with programming

    The worry is real. I understand. Programming is like learning a new language. How long does it take for you to learn Spanish or French ? Many months if not years. And the more you speak, the more you learn. Same thing applies for programming. The more you program, the more you feel at home with ABAP.

    How does this course make programming easy ?

    Staying true to the title of the course - 'in Plain English' is the USP of this course. I left the first 3 hours of the course open for preview. Please go through it before you buy this course. Beginners to programming require a flat learning curve to make them feel comfortable - that is precisely what this course intends to achieve.

    What this course is not ?

    This is neither the most comprehensive, nor the most elaborate course in ABAP. Although folks with programming knowledge can greatly benefit from this course, this course is NOT designed for them. This course is tailor made for folks with no programming experience.

    Also, not everybody needs to know ABAP. For example, functional consultants or system administrators need not learn ABAP. Unless you plan to become techno-functional, you need not take this course if you are a functional consultant.

    How to make the best of this course ?

    For those with no programming experience, I suggest you do the following.

    1. Try to complete every exercise on your own.
    2. Don't just listen - Practice. Get access to an IDES system.
    3. Post your questions in the forum.
    4. Review what you learnt with the attached notes.

    For those having some programming experience, this course can be pretty slow. Here are some tips to make this go a bit faster.

    1. You can skip the exercises.
    2. Based on the title, feel free to skip certain parts.
    3. Use the attached notes for quick reference.
Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Write abap programs
  • Interpret existing abap programs
  • Be conversant with most major programming constructs and paradigms, specifically enterprise application programming

Syllabus

Day 0 - Getting Started
Business Context
How is this course Organized
Is this course for you ?
Read more

In this lecture we talk about a couple of things

1. WRITE statement - How to write Horizontal and Vertical Lines

2. WRITE Statement - How to write at a particular offset location

3. WRITE Statement - How to write in a new line.

4. DO - ENDDO loop.

5. Declare DATA variables

6. Default values to variables

7. Use of TYPE to declare data variables.

In this lecture we talk about ABAP Statement Chaining. If you have to use the same ABAP keyword again and again consecutively, you can use statement chaining to just use the keyword just once and use the colon ( : ) to repeat it as many times as you want without having to write the keyword. This is used extensively in productive programs.

  • Basics of Data Dictionary
  • What are database tables
  • What are Columns
  • How to define columns
  • Naming Convention for Columns
  • What are Primary keys
  • What are Data Elements
  • Why are Data Elements used
  • Data Elements vs Data Types
  • Field Labels

Introduction to Sales and Purchase cycles. Especially, this section focuses on the Sales Cycle. We talk about the basic tables available in standard SAP for sales like

Sales Tables

  • VBAK
  • VBAP

Delivery Tables

  • LIKP
  • LIPS

Invoice Tables

  • VBRK
  • VBRP

We discuss the structure of these transactions which are

  • Header
  • Item level data
  • Reuse Data Elements
  • Cross reference Units ( Like Currency )

We also see the significance of having different lengths of field labels.

•Sales Order Cycle

•Reuse of Column Types – Data Elements

•Reference Units

•Field Labels of all Lengths

•Multiple WHERE Clause entries

The basic PO business cycle is discussed in this chapter along with the tables as well. It starts with the purchase order that is placed with the vendor. Once the vendor receives the order, he delivers the goods. The goods receipt in SAP produces the material documents. After that the vendor also sends the invoice which is logged in SAP as a vendor invoice.

Purchase Order

  • EKKO ( Header )
  • EKPO ( Item )

Material Document

  • MKPF ( Header )
  • MESG ( Item )

Vendor Invoice

  • RBKP ( Header )
  • RBCO ( Item )

The primary master data for these transactions is the Vendor and Material.

Vendor

  • LFA1 ( General View )
  • LFB1 ( Company Code )

Purchase Order Cycle

Composite Primary Key
Identify Primary key
Modify Primary Key
Debugging – Step-in/out/through

  • Basic Material Master table - MARA
  • TYPES
  • Why SELECT * is expensive operation ?
  • Internal Tables
  • Work Areas
  • What does internal tables achieve that the TABLES statement does not ?
  • LOOP
  • What are Table JOINs
  • INNER JOIN
  • Table ALIAS
  • JOIN condition

    Left outer join

    Join 3 tables

    • Take a hypothetical customer master scenario and model database tables to hold the customer data.
    • Identify primary key
    • Identify all the data points and start normalizing the tables
    • Go over standard customer tables ( KNA1 , KNVV )
    • SELECT-OPTIONS
    • APPEND
    • A different view of the different events
    • Compare the events with a real life example.
    • What is PBO event ( Process Before Output )
    • What is PAI event ( Process After Input )
    • What is the difference between PBO and PAI
    • Classify events as PAI vs PBO
    1. Show an example of PBO event. 
    2. Work with the SCREEN run time structure
    3. Understand what is MODIF ID
    • AT SELECTION SCREEN
    • Understands that EVENTS do not have a corresponding end EVENT
    • Overview of SELECT SINGLE

    The following operations on an internal table are discussed

    • SORT an internal table
    • Control Breaks
    • At FIRST
    • At END OF <field>
    • SUM

    AT FIRST of <field> is discussed

    DELETE ADJACENT DUPLICATES

    • Accounting Document Concept
    • Accounting Document Header and item tables
    • Cleared and uncleared Concept
    • Cleared and uncleared tables
    • APPEND LINES OF IT1 to IT2

    SELECT * from <table> APPENDING TABLE <it>

    READ an internal table with multiple keys. 

    COLLECT statement

    Get the value of paid and unpaid amounts in document currency

    • What are Hashed Internal Tables 
    • Example of a business scenario where Hashed Tables can be used
    • How to identify the level - SY-LSIND

    Traffic lights

    Read about what's good
    what should give you pause
    and possible dealbreakers
    Focuses on ABAP, the programming language of SAP, which is widely used in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
    Emphasizes a plain English approach, which can help beginners grasp programming concepts more easily
    Requires learners to independently acquire SAP access, which may involve additional steps and potential costs
    Covers database design and normalization, which are essential for understanding SAP data structures
    Explores classical and interactive reports, which are fundamental for data presentation in SAP environments
    Introduces ALV grid reports, which are commonly used for displaying data in a user-friendly format within SAP

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    Reviews summary

    Sap abap foundation for beginners

    According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in SAP ABAP programming, particularly for those with no prior programming experience. The instructor is frequently praised for explaining complex concepts in plain English and making them easy to understand. Students appreciate the hands-on exercises and practical examples that help solidify learning. While it covers the essentials thoroughly, some reviewers mention it might be too basic for experienced programmers and suggest it's a good starting point but may require additional learning for advanced topics or real-world application in corporate environments. Overall, the sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting its effectiveness for its target beginner audience.
    Practical exercises are helpful for learning.
    "The exercises are crucial for applying what you learn and really solidify your understanding."
    "I found the hands-on practice sessions to be the most valuable part of the course."
    "Doing the coding examples alongside the lectures was very effective for me."
    "It's not just theory; the practical coding helps a lot."
    Provides a solid basis in fundamental ABAP.
    "The course gives a strong foundation in ABAP programming basics. I feel confident to explore further."
    "This is an excellent starting point to understand the core concepts and syntax of ABAP."
    "I feel I have a solid base after completing this course, which was my main goal."
    "It covers all the essential building blocks you need to start writing simple ABAP programs."
    Great starting point for newcomers to programming.
    "This course is perfect for beginners with absolutely no prior programming knowledge, just as advertised."
    "I had zero programming experience before this, and I feel like I've gotten a really good grasp of the basics now."
    "If you're looking for an entry point into ABAP without feeling overwhelmed, this is it."
    "It really delivers on its promise of catering to those with no programming background."
    Explains complex ABAP concepts simply.
    "The instructor explains complex SAP ABAP concepts in very plain and simple language that's easy to follow..."
    "What I like most about this course is how the instructor explains everything 'in plain English'. Makes ABAP less intimidating."
    "As someone completely new to programming, I really appreciated the simple explanations and step-by-step approach."
    "It's amazing how he breaks down potentially difficult topics into bite-sized, understandable pieces."
    Might be too basic/slow for experienced users.
    "If you have any prior programming experience, you might find the pace a bit slow, as it starts from absolute zero."
    "For me, having a little coding background, some sections felt very elementary, but I understand it's for beginners."
    "Experienced developers might want to look for a more advanced course, but for newbies, it's perfect."
    "I skipped some parts initially as I had some basic programming knowledge."
    Covers basics, not advanced or real-world scenarios.
    "This is truly an introductory course; it doesn't go into advanced topics or complex corporate ABAP structures."
    "While excellent for basics, don't expect to be job-ready or understand complex SAP modules solely from this."
    "It provides a good base, but you will definitely need further learning to tackle real-world ABAP development."
    "The course clearly states it's not comprehensive, and that is accurate. Focus is purely on foundational programming."

    Activities

    Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in SAP ABAP Training - in Plain English with these activities:
    Review Relational Database Concepts
    Strengthen your understanding of relational database concepts, which are fundamental to ABAP programming and working with SAP data.
    Browse courses on Database Tables
    Show steps
    • Review the definitions of primary keys, foreign keys, and normalization.
    • Practice designing simple database schemas.
    • Take a short online quiz to test your knowledge.
    Read 'SAP ABAP Handbook'
    Use this book as a reference to better understand the fundamentals of ABAP.
    Show steps
    • Read the chapters on ABAP syntax and data types.
    • Review the examples provided in the book.
    • Use the book as a reference when writing ABAP code.
    Read 'ABAP Development for SAP HANA'
    Deepen your understanding of ABAP development in the context of SAP HANA, a crucial skill for modern SAP environments.
    Show steps
    • Read the chapters on code pushdown and data modeling.
    • Experiment with the examples provided in the book.
    • Consider how these techniques could be applied to your own ABAP projects.
    Four other activities
    Expand to see all activities and additional details
    Show all seven activities
    ABAP Syntax Exercises
    Reinforce your understanding of ABAP syntax through repetitive exercises, focusing on common programming constructs.
    Show steps
    • Write small ABAP programs to practice using different data types.
    • Practice using control flow statements like IF, CASE, and LOOP.
    • Experiment with different ABAP operators and built-in functions.
    Build a Simple ABAP Report
    Solidify your ABAP skills by building a simple report that retrieves and displays data from SAP tables.
    Show steps
    • Choose a relevant SAP table to extract data from.
    • Write an ABAP program to select and format the data.
    • Display the data in a user-friendly format using either WRITE statements or ALV grid control.
    Document ABAP Code
    Improve your understanding of ABAP code by documenting existing programs, focusing on clarity and maintainability.
    Show steps
    • Select an ABAP program from the course materials or your own projects.
    • Add comments to explain the purpose of each section of the code.
    • Create a separate document that describes the program's functionality and usage.
    Contribute to an ABAP Open Source Project
    Enhance your ABAP skills and collaborate with other developers by contributing to an open-source ABAP project.
    Browse courses on ABAP
    Show steps
    • Find an ABAP open-source project on platforms like GitHub.
    • Review the project's documentation and code.
    • Identify a bug or feature to work on.
    • Submit a pull request with your changes.

    Career center

    Learners who complete SAP ABAP Training - in Plain English will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
    SAP ABAP Developer
    A SAP ABAP Developer is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing solutions within the SAP environment using the ABAP programming language. This course is a great starting point for anyone interested in becoming a SAP ABAP Developer, as it provides a comprehensive introduction to ABAP programming. This includes foundational concepts to more advanced topics related to database interaction. The emphasis on practical exercises, such as creating programs to manage data and reports using real world scenarios covered in the course can help give learners the basic technical background for entering into this field. If you want to pursue a career in SAP development, this course will help build your foundation.
    Solutions Architect
    A Solutions Architect designs and oversees the implementation of technology solutions. This course may be useful because it provides a deep understanding of the underlying technology for SAP systems. The course covers how data is stored, manipulated, and reported within SAP environments using the ABAP language. This knowledge is crucial to design effective solutions that meet business requirements. Although, a Solutions Architect may not write ABAP code, the foundational understanding provided by the course is helpful when designing and implementing SAP solutions. If you are pursuing a career as a solutions architect focused on SAP systems, this course will be useful.
    Enterprise Architect
    An Enterprise Architect develops a holistic view of an organization's technology, processes, and business strategy. This SAP ABAP course may be helpful because it gives understanding of the programming language at the core of SAP systems. The course goes into key functions such as data management and report creation, all of which give exposure to the workings of enterprise software. Although enterprise architects may not use ABAP directly, the knowledge gained provides a solid foundation to plan and coordinate technical solutions. If you want to become an enterprise architect working with SAP environments, then this course may be useful.
    Software Engineer
    A Software Engineer designs, develops, and tests software applications. While this role is broad, learning ABAP through this course offers a unique entry point into enterprise application development within the SAP ecosystem. The course covers fundamental programming concepts while also delving into specific data handling techniques that will be useful for a software engineer. The skills you learn here can be applied to other languages or programs that deal with database interactions and data modeling. If you want to explore the world of software engineering, especially in the enterprise space, this course will help build a good foundation.
    Application Developer
    An Application Developer builds and maintains software applications. This SAP ABAP training course can be a starting point for an application developer who is interested in SAP environments, as it allows one to delve into the specifics of an enterprise application platform and the ABAP programming language used to create its applications. The course provides hands-on experience with writing programs. The coverage of database design and interaction with SAP tables is also an asset to anyone developing applications. If you want to become an application developer, particularly within the SAP ecosystem, this course may be useful.
    ERP Consultant
    An ERP Consultant helps businesses implement and optimize their Enterprise Resource Planning systems. This course on SAP ABAP can be useful because it provides a technical understanding of how SAP systems are customized and extended through ABAP programming. While a functional consultant may not directly code, understanding the underlying programming logic is beneficial for communication and problem solving. The course's focus on practical exercises provides an understanding of how data is managed and the logic behind SAP transactions which benefits an ERP consultant. If you are interested in a career as an ERP consultant, this course may be helpful.
    Technical Consultant
    A Technical Consultant provides expert technology advice and implementation services. This course can be helpful by providing the technical skills necessary to understand and work with SAP systems at the programming level. The course introduces the ABAP language and how it is used to customize SAP software. This course will also give you an understanding of database tables and how data is managed within the system. If your goal is to be a technical consultant, especially one focused on SAP, then this course may be useful.
    Business Analyst
    A Business Analyst evaluates business processes, identifies areas for improvement, and helps implement solutions. Although business analysts don't directly code, this SAP ABAP course may be useful in gaining a deeper understanding of how the SAP system works. The course details how data is stored and manipulated, and the underlying logic that drives SAP processes. This course also familiarizes you with the various SAP tables involved in sales, purchasing, and other business functions. Understanding ABAP is useful when needing to communicate with technical teams and can help to develop more effective solutions. If you're interested in becoming a business analyst and plan on using an SAP system, this course may be helpful.
    Data Analyst
    A Data Analyst interprets and analyzes data to help organizations make better decisions. This course will be useful because it focuses on database interaction using ABAP, which is a valuable skill for data analysts working with SAP systems. The course covers how to query and extract information from SAP tables which is a key component of data analysis. The sections on data structures, joins, and internal tables all help with understanding how data is organized in SAP. If you want to analyze data, particularly within an SAP environment, then this course may be useful.
    Database Administrator
    A Database Administrator is responsible for the management and maintenance of databases. This course in SAP ABAP may be useful because it covers fundamental database concepts within an SAP context including data types and tables. You'll learn how to interact with SAP databases programmatically using ABAP, and gain insight into joins and queries. Although database administrators typically don't program in ABAP, the course will give you a better grasp of key concepts and give you a deeper understanding of how data is structured in SAP. If you're interested in becoming a database administrator, this course may be helpful.
    IT Support Specialist
    An IT Support Specialist provides technical assistance to users. This course may be useful because it provides a foundational understanding of how SAP systems are built and customized, using the ABAP language. This course's coverage of data structures, tables, and reporting mechanisms can give insight into the inner workings of an SAP system. While not directly related to daily IT support tasks, this knowledge can be invaluable when troubleshooting issues in SAP environments. If you want to provide IT support in organizations that rely on SAP, this course may be helpful.
    System Analyst
    A System Analyst is responsible for analyzing and designing information systems. This course will be useful to familiarize analysts with the ABAP programming language. The course covers the basics of programming as well as how to interact with databases and create reports. This knowledge is helpful when analyzing system requirements. By understanding how data is stored and manipulated, the system analyst can better assess the impact of changes and ensure that solutions are effective. If you want to work as a system analyst, especially in organizations that use SAP, this course may be helpful.
    Technical Writer
    A Technical Writer is responsible for creating documentation for technical products. This SAP ABAP course may be useful because it provides detailed information about ABAP concepts, syntax, and database interactions. While technical writers don't program in ABAP, having a solid understanding of the subject matter is crucial for creating accurate and useful documentation. The course offers insights into data structures, reporting, and other elements of SAP which will be useful for documenting any SAP related software. If you want to work as a technical writer in the SAP domain, this course may be helpful.
    Quality Assurance Analyst
    A Quality Assurance Analyst tests software applications to ensure they meet quality standards. This course may be useful because it provides a deeper understanding of the underlying logic and data handling within SAP systems through the ABAP programming language. While a quality assurance analyst does not typically write ABAP code, understanding how programs are developed and data is accessed can help this person develop comprehensive test cases and identify potential issues. If you want to work as a quality assurance analyst in organizations that use SAP, this course may be helpful.
    Project Manager
    A Project Manager plans, organizes, and manages projects to ensure their successful completion. This SAP ABAP course may be useful because it provides a technical perspective of how enterprise systems are built using ABAP. Although project managers do not typically write code, understanding the effort and processes involved in ABAP development can help them better manage projects that involve SAP customizations. This course covers the basics of data management and reporting which may be helpful for project oversight. If you want to manage technology projects involving SAP, this course may be helpful.

    Reading list

    We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in SAP ABAP Training - in Plain English.
    Provides a comprehensive guide to developing ABAP applications optimized for SAP HANA. It covers topics such as code pushdown, data modeling, and performance tuning. While not strictly necessary for the basics, it's highly recommended for those looking to build high-performance ABAP applications. This book is valuable as additional reading to expand on the course.

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