Mixing unicode and non-unicode modules

[Former Member]

We are converting from 4.6c to ERP 6.0. We are not converting our data to unicode, but are converting our ABAP programs to unicode. We have alot of questions about the effort. I have a question about mixing unicode and non-unicode modules.

1. Do we have to convert all our ABAP programs at once or can we phase it?

2. Can a unicode program call a non-unicode function module?

3. And the opposite, can a non-unicode progam all a unicode function modules?

Regards,

Greg

[Former Member]

Hi Greg,

First thing, if you are upgrading, then first finish of your technical upgrade and then implement the unicode functionality.

As mixing these things together will create lots of issues.

If you still want to go ahead with upgrade and unicode conversion at one go, revert back and I will send you some unicode related links.

Reward points if useful.

Regards,

Atish

[Former Member]

Hi,

1. Do we have to convert all our ABAP programs at once or can we phase it?

Greg, firstly you have an option of going to unicode or you can still be in Non unicode system

Its upto the client to decide whwther to go for unicode or not.

Secondly , you always have the oppurtunity of converting the programs to unicode.

The adv of converting the cunicode along with the upgrade is saving time time in testing phase.

Instead of testing after the completion of upgrade and testing agin after conversion to unicode is an extra effect of testing twice

In order to test only once go for unicode along with upgrade

2)2. Can a unicode program call a non-unicode function module?

Whether you go unicode or non unicode all the sap standard code , may be Function module, bapi all sap code is unicode

so if you are non unicode and using SAP standard fm THEN YOUR PROGRAM IS A MIXTURE OF UNICODE AND NON UNICODE

3)3. And the opposite, can a non-unicode progam all a unicode function modules?

again the same above reply applies.

Greg, let me tell you one thing

say your going to non unicode and when you have add a code in enhancement points (which is nothing but user exits in olderversion) has to be unicode compliant

so your programs may be non unicode , but your enhancement code is unicode

Again, you have to change your BDC programs in your new version- which is equivalent to change them to BAPI'S

lET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY ASSISTANCE ON uNICODE

i WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP YOU OUT

Reward points if helpful

Thanks

venki

[Former Member]

Hi,

1. Do we have to convert all our ABAP programs at once or can we phase it?

Greg, firstly you have an option of going to unicode or you can still be in Non unicode system

Its upto the client to decide whwther to go for unicode or not.

Secondly , you always have the oppurtunity of converting the programs to unicode.

The adv of converting the cunicode along with the upgrade is saving time time in testing phase.

Instead of testing after the completion of upgrade and testing agin after conversion to unicode is an extra effect of testing twice

In order to test only once go for unicode along with upgrade

2)2. Can a unicode program call a non-unicode function module?

Whether you go unicode or non unicode all the sap standard code , may be Function module, bapi all sap code is unicode

so if you are non unicode and using SAP standard fm THEN YOUR PROGRAM IS A MIXTURE OF UNICODE AND NON UNICODE

3)3. And the opposite, can a non-unicode progam all a unicode function modules?

again the same above reply applies.

Greg, let me tell you one thing

say your going to non unicode and when you have add a code in enhancement points (which is nothing but user exits in olderversion) has to be unicode compliant

so your programs may be non unicode , but your enhancement code is unicode

Again, you have to change your BDC programs in your new version- which is equivalent to change them to BAPI'S

lET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY ASSISTANCE ON uNICODE

i WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP YOU OUT

Reward points if helpful

Thanks

venki

[Former Member]

Hi Venki,

Thanks for you response, but for questions 2 and 3, I was looking for "yes or no" answer.

For example, we have made some core mods that call "Z" function modules. Since SAP is unicode, does the "Z" fm have to be unicode also?

Thanks....

[Former Member]

Hi Greg,

Yes.

They need to be unicode compatible.

Reward points if useful.

Regards,

Atish

[Former Member]

Thanks Atish,

I thought if a program was unicode that the fm needed to be. What about the other situation. We have "Z" programs calling SAP function modules which will be unicode. Do our "Z" programs need to be unicode?

Thanks.....

[Former Member]

Hi Greg,

It is not neccesity that the program needs to be unicode.

The decision is totally depend upon the outcome of transaction UCCHECK which check if the program is compatible with unicode or not.

Also you need to run the program to get the output as some errors are not found in UCCCHECK but may result in runtime error because of unicode conversion.

When you say unicode compatible that means if you are doing some text operations in your program they need to be compatible in unicode system.

Hope it is clear.

Regards,

Atish

[Former Member]

Hi Greg,

I sent one ABAP Programs with unicode document from SAP to your email ID [email protected].

Reward points if useful.

Regards,

Atish

[Former Member]

Hi Everyone,

When you upgrade to SAP ERP 6.0 (ECC 6.0) the default is that ALL programs should be unicode compliant (even if the system is not converted to unicode). This means that they should not have any commands that are not valid in a unicode system or use potentially dangerous coding practices that will fail if the system is converted.

There is a system wide setting to enforce the unicode check. Programs executed do a syntax check to ensure compliance.

the check can be turned off but this is not recommended except when in the process of converting ABAPs.

It should be noted that each ABAP also has a unicode compliant flag which can be set. It is recommended to check this for each converted program. (All new programs should be only unicode compliant) When all programs are checked then the system wide parameter should be re-enabled ASAP.

UCCHECK is the tool available to check your programs for potential issues (as of SAP_Basis 6.20). You should only concern yourself with your own coding. All SAP programs are unicode compliant even if they have warnings in UCCHECK

I hope this helps,

Mike.

[nkr1shna]

Hello Atish,

We are in process of converting SAP R/3 4.5B version to ECC 6.0 unicode complaint.

Is there any program or tool that can help us to identify unicode compliance or errors?.

Regards,

Krishna

[Former Member]

Hi Mike,

In your post you mention that even if UCCHECK generates warnings for SAP programs, these should be or can be ignored. I've run UCCHECK for SAP Executable programs on our system and this has found 72 errors and 72,387 warnings.

We have a large number of old customer programs that need to be upgraded.

Are you sure we can ignore the SAP program issues for unicode?

Thank you,

Saghar

[Former Member]

Hi Greg,

We are on the same project converting 4.6c to ECC 6 if you want any assistence reply to this i will help you sorting your problem