topic idoc learning in Application Development and Automation Discussions

idoc learning

Former Member — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 06:43:34 GMT

Hi All,

I am an abaper with 1.5 yrs of experiance, i have worked in BDC, Reports, SAP Scripts, Smartforms & dailog programming.

I am Intrested in learning ALE & IDOCs.

please provide some info like What is ALE & IDOCs, How it is used & where it is used.

Appropriate points will be rewarded if screenshots with real time scenario are being sent.

Thanks in Advance.

Re: idoc learning

Former Member — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 06:46:28 GMT

Hi,

1)EDI

Electronic Data Interchange

Cross-company exchange of electronic data (for example business documents) between domestic and international business partners who use a variety of hardware, software, and communication services. The data involved is formatted according to predefined standards. In addition to this, SAP ALE technology is available for data exchange within a company.

Refer

http://www.erpgenie.com/sapedi/index.htm

2) ALE

A means of creating and operating distributed applications.

Application Link Enabling (ALE) guarantees a distributed, but integrated, R/3 installation. This involves business-controlled message exchange using consistent data across loosely linked SAP applications.

Applications are integrated using synchronous and asynchronous communication - not by using a central database.

ALE consists of the following layers:

Application services

Distribution services

Communication services

3)IDocs are text encoded documents with a rigid structure that are used to exchange data between R/3 and a foreign system. Instead of calling a program in the destination system directly, the data is first packed into an IDoc and then sent to the receiving system, where it is analyzed and properly processed. Therefore an IDoc data exchange is always an

asynchronous process. The significant difference between simple RFC-calls and IDoc data exchange is the fact, that every action performed on IDocs are protocolled by R/3 and IDocs can be reprocessed if an error occurred in one of the message steps.

While IDocs have to be understood as a data exchange protocol, EDI and ALE are typical use cases for IDocs. R/3 uses IDocs for both EDI and ALE to deliver data to the receiving system. ALE is basically the scheduling mechanism that defines when and between which partners and what kind of data will be exchanged on a regular or event triggered basis. Such a set-up is called an ALE-scenario.

There are basically two types of IDOCs.

Basic IDOCs

Extended IDOCs

Idoc Components

Basic Idoc

Basic IDOC type defines the structure and format of the business document that is to be exchanged between two systems.

Extension Idoc

Extending the functionality by adding more segments to existing Basic IDOCs.

Refer

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale.pdf

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale2.pdf

Check this link