topic Re: Bapi Vs FM in Application Development and Automation Discussions

Bapi Vs FM

former_member386202 — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 09:33:49 GMT

Hi friends,

What is the difference between BAPI and Function Module ?

Thanks,

Prashant

Re: Bapi Vs FM

Former Member — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 09:36:48 GMT

Hi,

Please see the earlier postings first...

===

BAPI stands for Business API

(Business Application Programming 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

BAPI's 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 you 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 a custom developed BAPI.

===

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_47x200/helpdata/en/c3/4099978b8911d396b70004ac96334b/content.htm

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

====================================

Regarding 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

BAPI-step by step procedure

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

list of all BAPI's

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

=====

Check out this previous posting

Using BAPIs results in the following benefits:

BAPIs represent well-defined, internally consistent units that always represent business facts and leave a consistent database state behind.

The business contents can be standardized, since BAPIs not only allow the integration of the SAP system and other software components at a technical level, but also at the business level.

BAPIs have become a communication standard between business systems. Access is possible through object-oriented interface technologies (such as COM/DCOM from Microsoft). The SAP business objects conform to the guidelines of the OAG (Object Application Group), and meet the CORBA standard from the OMG (Object Management Group).

Stability and compatibility

Once SAP has released a BAPI, its interface definitions and parameters will remain stable in the long term, which means application programs will not be affected by changes to the underlying SAP software or data. If upward-compatible enhancements are made to the BAPIs, the stability of the existing applications is not affected.

Openness

BAPIs can be accessed from any widespread development platform.

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_47x200/helpdata/en/5a/ccb4bc808311d396b40004ac96334b/content.htm

Regards,

Sankar

Re: Bapi Vs FM

Former Member — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 09:39:12 GMT

BAPI->

BAPIs (Business Application Programming Interfaces) are the standard SAP interfaces. They play an important role in the technical integration and in the exchange of business data between SAP components, and between SAP and non-SAP components. BAPIs enable you to integrate these components and are therefore an important part of developing integration scenarios where multiple components are connected to each other, either on a local network or on the Internet.

BAPIs allow integration at the business level, not the technical level. This provides for greater stability of the linkage and independence from the underlying communication technology.

FUNCTION MODULES->

Some dialog steps and functions are required frequently during the realization of application development dialogs. These are available as function modules in self-contained modules. Their use standardizes application dialogs, which in turn simplifies use.

also chk this thread.

Regards

Re: Bapi Vs FM

Former Member — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 09:52:55 GMT

Hi Prashant,

Each Bapi Object has Interface, Key Fields, Attributes,Methods and Events.

Bapi Function Modules can be attached to these Bapi objects .Function module has a single bound functionality while a BAPI object can contain many functionalities

<b>Regards,

Jackie.</b>

Re: Bapi Vs FM

Former Member — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:11:43 GMT

hi,

BAPI is nothing but remote Enabled module.

When u create any function module u make it normal function. In BAPI u have to tick Remote Enabled Module so that u can call this from Non-SAP systems also.

Hope its helpful to u.

Re: Bapi Vs FM

former_member196517 — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 07:02:34 GMT

Hi Prashant,

Any function module if it delivers a user a business content then it is a BAPI ..

Regards

Anuj Goyal