Bdc-clarification

[Former Member]

Hi,

I have to upload some data(Material Master data) in flat file into R/3 system.I can do it by using session or call transaction.But I were been insisted to do it by BAPI.

May I know exactly what's the difference between these two approaches and can anyone explain where and when I have to go for BDC and whento BAPI.

This is not an interview question. So, can anyone post the exact answer for this.

[Former Member]

Hi,

For MM01 transaction performing BDC is a tedious task and it will take lot of expertise to actually performing BDC on MM01.

BAPI, is the more reliable and right way of doing it. You have to call the BAPI in the program and pass the values to the Fm there.

BAPI_MATERIAL_SAVEDATA: will create and also will save data.

You can get more information regarding that BAPI in the documentation of the BAPI in se37.

Also, Its good to use bapi if available.. Basically for a smaller transactions v can go for bdc. And when the transaction involves lot of screens, table controls....etc...then u can go for bapi provided a bapi should be available.

Edited by: Renjith Michael on Oct 23, 2008 11:59 AM

[Former Member]

Hi

Ok.

BDC: is a process of uploading data...as u know already. The BDC mainly works on screen flows...and doing Recording in the right way is very important for BDC. But, For complicated TCODES like MM01, the problem is screen flow and different types of views could really make life miserable for an ABAPer though he is good with it. Once when u assign LOOPS to the subroutines generated from recording, there is every chance of the screen flow getting disturbed.

Also, BDC does not have the flexibility to add a new field later on. You have to do the recording all over again.

Also, During recording if an error occurs...everytime the BDC runs, It disturbs the screen flow which is very annoying.

BAPI: has nothing to do with the screen flow, you just assign parameters into the FM by calling in the program. The BAPI can be accessed from third party systems(one main Advantage which BDC lacks). Actually,the full form of BAPI suggests that it can act as an interface between SAP and non SAP systems.

So, when you work with BAPI...you dont really need to work about the views of MM01 or anything...

Hope this makes it clear for you.

Regards,

Vishwa.

[Former Member]

Hi Sandeep

I will tell you a practical problem regarding the same. I was supposed to upload certain records via MIRO transaction. Since the project was an upgrade project; I was asked to follow the same approach of creating a BDC session as followed in the previous system.

But when I did some preliminary analysis I found that session method is no longer possible for the SAP Enjoy transactions including MIRO.

Then I went for the BAPI; which is screen independent mehtod / reliable method as compared to session or call transaction method.

Thus, BAPI (if available) should be always preferred !!

Regards

neeraj