BAPI vs BDC

[Former Member]

hi all,

we can upload data using BAPI as well as BDC?

so when we should use which?

what is the difference between them?

what r advantages of using BAPI over BDC?

Thanks

sanjeev

[Former Member]

Hi,

BDC (Batch Data Communication) is a technology used for data transfer. it is meant for transferring data thru SAP transactions itself. when u use BDC for data transfer, the sequence of steps is the same as when u use standard sap transaction screens for data upload. the only difference is that u can use different options for foreground/background processing.

BDC:

Batch Data Communication (BDC) is the process of transferring data from one SAP System to another SAP system or from a non-SAP system to SAP System.

Features :

BDC is an automatic procedure.

This method is used to transfer large amount of data that is available in electronic medium.

BDC can be used primarily when installing the SAP system and when transferring data from a legacy system (external system).

BDC uses normal transaction codes to transfer data.

Types of BDC :

CLASSICAL BATCH INPUT (Session Method)

CALL TRANSACTION

BATCH INPUT METHOD:

This method is also called as ‘CLASSICAL METHOD’.

Features:

Asynchronous processing.

Synchronous Processing in database update.

Transfer data for more than one transaction.

Batch input processing log will be generated.

During processing, no transaction is started until the previous transaction has been written to the database.

CALL TRANSACTION METHOD :

This is another method to transfer data from the legacy system.

Features:

Synchronous processing. The system performs a database commit immediately before and after the CALL TRANSACTION USING statement.

Updating the database can be either synchronous or asynchronous. The program specifies the update type.

Transfer data for a single transaction.

Transfers data for a sequence of dialog screens.

No batch input processing log is generated.

For BDC:

http://myweb.dal.ca/hchinni/sap/bdc_home.htm

https://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/sdn/wiki?path=/display/home/bdc&;

http://www.sap-img.com/abap/learning-bdc-programming.htm

http://www.sapdevelopment.co.uk/bdc/bdchome.htm

http://www.sap-img.com/abap/difference-between-batch-input-and-call-transaction-in-bdc.htm

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_47x200/helpdata/en/69/c250684ba111d189750000e8322d00/frameset.htm

http://www.sapbrain.com/TUTORIALS/TECHNICAL/BDC_tutorial.html

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.

check these links

http://searchsap.techtarget.com/ateQuestionNResponse/0,289625,sid21_cid558752_tax293481,00.html

http://www.sap-img.com/abap/interview-question-on-bapi-rfc-abap-objects-tables.htm

http://www.sap-img.com/fu033.htm

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

Regards,

Kishore.

[Former Member]

Hi,

For Enjoy transactions it is difficult to do BDC. It is very easy to upload data by using BAPI for enjoy transactions like me21n etc.,

Regards

Ravi

[satykumar]

Hi,

Check these threads

/message/2272598#2272598 [original link is broken]

Regards,

Satyendra

[Former Member]

hi,

bdc is used to upload data into SAP system from any SAP or Non-SAP system.

BAPIs provide an interface thru which external applications access the business objects of

SAP system.

Note: BAPIs are also used to transfer data from external system to your SAP System.

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.

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.

BDC are manual way of uploading data from a flat file and is not real time. where as BAPIs are application interface that allow non-SAP systems to interface with them and load data they want to. So I can say BAPI's are automatic way of uploadign data from non-sap system at real time.

Both the Bapis and bdcs are used for transfer/posting of data into the SAP system.

But Bapis are standard FMs which are provided the SAP for particular tranasactions whereas the bdcs are written by us as per the business requirements. Its always better to use BAPIs as these are standard and will be useful if any upgradation happens in the system. We go for bdcs generally if any Bapi doesn't satisfy all the reqirements we need. Also using the BAPI(like a FM) is very much simpler when compared to BDC.

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.

Message was edited by:

Sudha Rani Pathuri