differences between bapi's and bdc

[Former Member]

Hi Frendz,

What are the most imp differences between BAPI's and BDC ?

Points for sure...

Thanks in advance

Vijaya

[abdul_hakim]

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.

Cheers,

Abdul Hakim

[Former Member]

Hi Vijaya,

A few inputs from net

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.

Source: sap-img.com

this somehow summarzes what i wanted to convey and hence have put this extract.. hope it helps to your question.

Br,

Sri

Award points for helpful answers

[Former Member]

I can put it in these words.

<b>BDC are manual</b> way of uploading data from a flat file and is <b>not real time</b>. 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 <b>BAPI's are automatic</b> way of uploadign data from non-sap system at <b>real time</b>.

- Guru

[anversha_s]

hi,

<b>BDC:</b>

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.

<i>Features :</i>

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.

<b>BAPI.</b>

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).

Regards

Anver