SAP ABAP Program Types

SAP ABAP Program Types

We will examine the different types of programs in ABAP. Please find below a list of program types.

Type 1
Type M
Type F
Type K
Type J
Type S
Type I

Type 1 Programs in SAP ABAP

These are controlled by the runtime environment. In these types of programs user action defines further processing. Type 1 programs are called as Executable programs as they can be executed by typing the name of the program. In these types of programs there is no need for the programmer to define his own screen. For defining and designing your own screen please refer to Module Pool Programming. Most of the times a Type 1 program is used for reporting, here the data is fetched from the database using queries, and the data is processed and finally displayed on the screen. Basically a report is an executable program which can be run using it program name, or a transaction. Reports or executable programs (Type 1 Programs) can also be run using a SUBMIT statement.

Type M Programs in SAP ABAP

Type M programs are used for Module Pool Programming. These types of programs are controlled by screen flow logic, these programs start with a Transaction Code. The programmer has to define his own screens and the screen flow logic. In these type of programs the programmer creates a series of screens and controlled is passed in between them using the logic. These types of programs are very useful for designing screens for external systems for example custom screens can be designed for Radios Frequency Devices (RFID), complex SAP transactions can be simplified by using Module Pool Programming if the data input fields is less for a particular transaction. For example if only a few fields need to be inputted for a purchase order or a Sales order from regional offices then a custom screen can be created for such users.

TYPE F Programs in SAP ABAP

Type F programs are basically containers for Function Modules, these types of programs cannot be started using a transaction code or a program name. These can be called from other executable programs or Module Pool programs by inserting the code of the Function Module. Type F programs are basically function groups. A function group can have several Function Modules. Function Modules and Function groups can be created using transaction code SE37 or SE80.

TYPE K Programs in SAP ABAP

Type K programs are basically containers for global classes in ABAP Objects. These type of programs cannot be started by using a program name or using a Transaction Code. These types of programs are created using a Class Builder.

Type J Programs in SAP ABAP

These are basically containers for Global Interfaces in ABAP Objects. These programs cannot be run using a program name or a transaction code.

Type S Programs in SAP ABAP

These types of programs are basically containers for subroutines., these subroutines can be called from other ABAP programs externally. They are called as subroutine Pools. These types of programs cannot be run using a program name or a transaction code.

Type I Programs in SAP ABAP

These type of programs are called as Includes. They are used to make code more simpler by breaking it into smaller units. This is also a modularization technique. Basically you can use small pieces of code that can be used in multiple programs into includes. These types of programs cannot be run using the program name or a transaction code.