topic Re: difference between rfc & bapi in Application Development and Automation Discussions

difference between rfc & bapi

Former Member — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:12:29 GMT

hi experts

what is difference between rfc & bapi

regards

subhasis.

Re: difference between rfc & bapi

Former Member — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:14:00 GMT

hi,

RFC and BAPIs are remote enabled function modules. They are practicly the same. A BAPI is one step further as it usually is a self contained business function, such as "Create Purchase Order", or "Change Sales Document". BAPIs interface is very well defined and documented. BAPIs can be found in the BAPI browser via transaction BAPI. RFCs are just remote enabled function modules.

BAPI stands for Business Application Programming Interface. It is a library of functions that are released to the public as an interface into an existing SAP system from an external system.

RFC is the protocol used to call functions in an R/3 system by a caller external to R/3 or to call programs external to R/3 from an R/3 system. Functions can only be called via RFC, if they are tagged as RFC functions in the SAP development workbench.

Reward point

regards

Re: difference between rfc & bapi

Former Member — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 17:16:58 GMT

RFC (Remote Function Call) RFC is basically used to communicate witha dofferent system, Could be from R3 to R3 or may be from NON R3 to R3.

and is similar to the general SAP fun module: except that in the attributes you click the radio button: RFC enabled;

and you will be passing an Import parameter DESTINATION to it.

Other code and usage will be similar to any fun module;

Go through RFC_READ_TABLE and you will get good idea about RFC.

Have a look at any fun module in SE37 to understand better about the different components of Fun modules;

Refer this link:

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/22/042518488911d189490000e829fbbd/frameset.htm

BAPI

what is BAPI?

BAPI stands for Business API(Application Program Interface).

A BAPI is remotely enabled function module ie it can be invoked from remote programs like standalone JAVA programs, web interface etc..

You can make your function module remotely enabled in attributes of Function module but

A BAPI are standard SAP function modules provided by SAP for remote access. Also they are part of Businees Objest Repository(BOR).

BAPI are RFC enabled function modules. the difference between RFc and BAPI are business objects. You create business objects and those are then registered in your BOR (Business Object Repository) which can be accessed outside the SAP system by using some other applications (Non-SAP) such as VB or JAVA. in this case u only specify the business object and its method from external system in BAPI there is no direct system call. while RFC are direct system call Some BAPIs provide basic functions and can be used for most SAP business object types. These BAPIs should be implemented the same for all business object types. Standardized BAPIs are easier to use and prevent users having to deal with a number of different BAPIs. Whenever possible, a standardized BAPI must be used in preference to an individual BAPI.

The following standardized BAPIs are provided:

Reading instances of SAP business objects

GetList ( ) With the BAPI GetList you can select a range of object key values, for example, company codes and material numbers.

The BAPI GetList() is a class method.

GetDetail() With the BAPI GetDetail() the details of an instance of a business object type are retrieved and returned to the calling program. The instance is identified via its key. The BAPI GetDetail() is an instance method. BAPIs that can create, change or delete instances of a business object type

The following BAPIs of the same object type have to be programmed so that they can be called several times within one transaction. For example, if, after sales order 1 has been created, a second sales order 2 is created in the same transaction, the second BAPI call must not affect the consistency of the sales order 2. After completing the transaction with a COMMIT WORK, both the orders are saved consistently in the database.

Create( ) and CreateFromData! ( )

The BAPIs Create() and CreateFromData() create an instance of an SAP business object type, for example, a purchase order. These BAPIs are class methods.

Change( )

The BAPI Change() changes an existing instance of an SAP business object type, for example, a purchase order. The BAPI Change () is an instance method.

Delete( ) and Undelete( ) The BAPI Delete() deletes an instance of an SAP business object type from the database or sets a deletion flag.

The BAPI Undelete() removes a deletion flag. These BAPIs are instance methods.

Cancel ( ) Unlike the BAPI Delete(), the BAPI Cancel() cancels an instance of a business object type. The instance to be cancelled remains in the database and an additional instance is created and this is the one that is actually canceled. The Cancel() BAPI is an instance method.

Add<subobject> ( ) and Remove<subobject> ( ) The BAPI Add<subobject> adds a subobject to an existing object inst! ance and the BAPI and Remove<subobject> removes a subobject from an object instance. These BAPIs are instance methods.

BAPI-step by step

http://www.sapgenie.com/abap/bapi/example.htm

list of all bapis

http://www.planetsap.com/LIST_ALL_BAPIs.htm

for BAPI's

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

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

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

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

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

http://service.sap.com/ale

http://service.sap.com/bapi

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCMIDAPII/CABFAAPIINTRO.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/CABFABAPIREF/CABFABAPIPG.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCFESDE8/BCFESDE8.pdf

http://www.planetsap.com/Bapi_main_page.htm

http://www.topxml.com/sap/sap_idoc_xml.asp

http://www.sapdevelopment.co.uk/

http://www.sapdevelopment.co.uk/java/jco/bapi_jco.pdf

Also refer to the following links..

www.sappoint.com/abap/bapiintro.pdf

www.sap-img.com/bapi.htm

www.sap-img.com/abap/bapi-conventions.htm

www.planetsap.com/Bapi_main_page.htm

www.sapgenie.com/abap/bapi/index.htm

Checkout !!

http://searchsap.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid21_gci948835,00.html

http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6329-1051160.html#

http://www.sap-img.com/bapi.htm

http://www.sap-img.com/abap/bapi-conventions.htm

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

u can check the below the material also

Example Code

U need to give the step_nr, item_nr, cond_count and cond_type so the correct conditon will be updated. If no condition exists for the given parameters, a new condition will be created.

U can find these parameters for a particular condition type in table KONV.

&----

*& Form saveTransactionJOCR

&----

text

----

--> p1 text
<-- p2 text

----

FORM saveTransactionJOCR .

data: salesdocument like BAPIVBELN-VBELN,

order_header_inx like bapisdh1x,

order_header_in like bapisdh1,

return type standard table of bapiret2 with header line,

conditions_in type standard table of bapicond with header line,

conditions_inx type standard table of bapicondx with header line,

logic_switch like BAPISDLS,

step_nr like conditions_in-cond_st_no,

item_nr like conditions_in-itm_number,

cond_count like conditions_in-cond_count,

cond_type like conditions_in-cond_type.

salesdocument = wa_order_information-VBELN.

LOGIC_SWITCH-COND_HANDL = 'X'.

order_header_inx-updateflag = 'U'.

conditions

clear conditions_in[].

clear conditions_inx[].

clear: step_nr,

item_nr,

cond_count,

cond_type.

step_nr = '710'.

item_nr = '000000'.

cond_count = '01'.

cond_type = 'ZCP2'.

CONDITIONS_IN-ITM_NUMBER = item_nr.

conditions_in-cond_st_no = step_nr.

CONDITIONS_IN-COND_COUNT = cond_count.

CONDITIONS_IN-COND_TYPE = cond_type.

CONDITIONS_IN-COND_VALUE = 666.

CONDITIONS_IN-CURRENCY = 'EUR'.

append conditions_in.

CONDITIONS_INX-ITM_NUMBER = item_nr.

conditions_inx-cond_st_no = step_nr.

CONDITIONS_INX-COND_COUNT = cond_count.

CONDITIONS_INX-COND_TYPE = cond_type.

CONDITIONS_INX-UPDATEFLAG = 'U'.

CONDITIONS_INX-COND_VALUE = 'X'.

CONDITIONS_INX-CURRENCY = 'X'.

append conditions_inx.

CALL FUNCTION 'BAPI_SALESORDER_CHANGE'

EXPORTING

SALESDOCUMENT = salesdocument

ORDER_HEADER_IN = order_header_in

ORDER_HEADER_INX = order_header_inx

LOGIC_SWITCH = logic_switch

TABLES

RETURN = return

CONDITIONS_IN = conditions_in

CONDITIONS_INX = conditions_inx

if return-type ne 'E'.

commit work and wait.

endif.

ENDFORM. " saveTransactionJOCR

Bdc to Bapi

The steps to be followed are :

1. Find out the relevant BAPI (BAPI_SALESORDER_CHANGE for VA02).

[for VA01 use BAPI_SALESORDER_CREATEFROMDAT2]

2. Create a Z program and call the BAPi (same as a Funtion module call).

2. Now, if you see this BAPi, it has

-> Importing structures.

eg: SALESDOCUMENT: this will take the Sales order header data as input.

-> Tables parameters:

eg: ORDER_ITEM_IN: this will take the line item data as input.

Note :

Only specify fields that should be changed

Select these fields by entering an X in the checkboxes

Enter a U in the UPDATEFLAG field

Always specify key fields when changing the data, including in the checkboxes

The configuration is an exception here. If this needs to be changed, you need to complete it again fully.

Maintain quantities and dates in the schedule line data

Possible UPDATEFLAGS:

U = change

D = delete

I = add

Example

1. Delete the whole order

2. Delete order items

3. Change the order

4. Change the configuration

Notes

1. Minimum entry:

You must enter the order number in the SALESDOCUMENT structure.

You must always enter key fields for changes.

You must always specify the update indicator in the ORDER_HEADER_INX.

2. Commit control:

The BAPI does not run a database Commit, which means that the application must trigger the Commit so that the changes are read to the database. To do this, use the BAPI_TRANSACTION_COMMIT BAPI.

For further details... refer to the Function Module documentation for the BAPi.

Bapi to VB(Visual Basic)

Long back I had used the following flow structure to acheive the same.

Report -> SM59 RFC destination -> COM4ABAP -> VB.exe

my report uses the rfc destination to create a COM session with com4abap. com4abap calls the vb.exe and manages the flow of data between sap and vb exe.

You need to have com4abap.exe

If com4abap is installed you will find it in sapgui installatin directory , C:\Program Files\SAPpc\sapgui\RFCSDK\com4abap.

else refer OSS note 419822 for installation of com4abap

after making the settings in com4abap to point to the vb program and setting up rfc destination in sm59 to point to com4abap session , you can use the following function modules to call the vb code.

for setting up com4abap and rfc destination please refer to the documentation for com4abap.

Invoke NEW DCOM session

call function 'BEGIN_COM_SESSION'

exporting

service_dest = service_dest "(this will be a RFC destination created in SM59)

importing

worker_dest = worker_dest

exceptions

connect_to_dcom_service_failed = 1

connect_to_dcom_worker_failed = 2

others = 3.

call function 'create_com_instance' destination worker_dest

exporting

clsid = g_c_clsid

typelib = g_c_typelib

importing

instid = g_f_oid

exceptions

communication_failure = 1 message g_f_msg

system_failure = 2 message g_f_msg

invalid_instance_id = 3

others = 4.

call function 'com_invoke' destination worker_dest

exporting

%instid = g_f_oid

%method = 'UpdatePDF'

sntemp = g_v_const_filent

snsysid = sy-sysid

snflag = 'N'

tables

rssaptable = g_t_pdfdetail1

%return = g_t_pdfdetail1 "t_test

exceptions

communication_failure = 1 message g_f_msg

system_failure = 2 message g_f_msg

invalid_instance_id = 3

others = 4.

then close the com session , using

FM delete_com_instance

FM END_COM_SESSION

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw2004s/helpdata/en/7e/5e114a4a1611d1894c0000e829fbbd/frameset.htm

http://www.sapgenie.com/abap/bapi/example.htm

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_46c/helpdata/en/9b/417f07ee2211d1ad14080009b0fb56/frameset.htm

http://searchsap.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid21_gci948835,00.html

http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6329-1051160.html#

http://www.sap-img.com/bapi.htm

http://www.sap-img.com/abap/bapi-conventions.htm

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

http://www.sapgenie.com/abap/bapi/example.htm

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCMIDAPII/CABFAAPIINTRO.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/CABFABAPIREF/CABFABAPIPG.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCFESDE8/BCFESDE8.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/CABFABAPIREF/CABFABAPIPG.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCMIDAPII/CABFAAPIINTRO.pdf

http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6329-1051160.html#

http://www.sap-img.com/bapi.htm

http://www.sap-img.com/abap/bapi-conventions.htm

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

Reward points for useful Answers

Regards

Anji

Re: difference between rfc & bapi

Former Member — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 17:21:05 GMT

Hi,

Difference Between BAPI and RFC

What is the main difference between BAPI and RFC and difference between BAPI and BDC?

BAPI is used only when it is available for the particular transaction like Delivery Sales order. but BDC can be used for any

transaction which have screen and fields.

BAPI is directly updated the database instead BDC run through the screen flow.

So BAPI can't handle all the flow logic checking and enhancement put by programmer to faciliate the user requirement.

Difference between BAPI and BDC:

BAPI is a higher end usage for tranfering the data from SAP to non-SAP and vice-versa. for ex: if we are using VB application,where in that we want to connect to SAP and retireve the data,and then change and update the data in SAP for that purpose we can use that.

Apart from that, we can also use it for Uploading/Downloading the data from SAP to Non-SAP like BDC, provided we have an existing BAPI for that.

BAPI function modules will also do all the checks required for data integrity like Transactions for BDC.

There is one more advantage using BAPI instead of BDC. When we go for upgradation, there might be pozzibility to change the screen elements for transactions depending on the requirement. In that case,our BDC pgm may or may not work (depending on the screen changes they have made). Unless and until we prepare new BDC we cant use the old BDC pgm. But in BAPI, SAP promises that they are going to keep the old BAPI and for new functionality they will provide an upgraded BAPI. Until we write a new BAPI pgm, we can use the exisitng BAPI pgm.

Regards

Sudheer

Re: difference between rfc & bapi

Former Member — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 21:26:23 GMT

hi,

1) The main difference between BAPI and RFC is BUSINESS OBJECT.

2) BAPI is the defined interface it holds business data and process, it is the point of entry to the external apllications( JAVA, VB,...) for aceesing and processing SAP data directly.

3) BAPI has it's corresponding RFC function module where as viceversa is not possible.

4) We can call BAPI as Remote Enabled Function Module and Call as the method of Business Object in the BOR, where as RFC can be called as Remote Enabled Function Module only.

5) BAPI has no User dialog and Exceptions.

regards,

Ashokreddy.

Re: difference between rfc & bapi

Former Member — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 10:33:55 GMT

This message was moderated.