Does the SAP License Permit SAP to Browse Customers' Z-programs?

[Former Member]

Under the terms of the general SAP License Agreement, can SAP login remotely and browse a customer's Z-programs?

If so, with or w/o the customer knowing?

[former_member10945]

I'm sure this depends on that customer's contract with SAP. You would have to read the language in the contract to determine if they are in breech or not.

[Former Member]

Hi Dan -

I wasn't thinking of any legal issue - I was thinking of whether SAP has a automatic way to determine whether any site >= 4.6c is writing custom stuff using:

1)

just lists

pre-OO ALV's

OO ALV's

2)

screens without EnjoySAP controls

screens with Enjoy SAPcontrols

3)

any ABAP OO not in (1-2).

Regards

Dave

[former_member10945]

Doubtful they have any program tracking it. Don't see why the couldn't have people implement a note or something that had a program in it they could just run and analyze their Z-programs. I know when you are going to do an upgrade of your R/3 systems they do analyze your Z-programs for usage and Unicode compliance. However, it would be challenging accurately get an accurate accounting because of code like this:

data typeName type string.
data myObject type ref to object.
typeName = 'typeNameOfTheEnjoySAPControls'.

create object myObject type (myObject).

In that example only at runtime does the ABAP system know what is truly being called, so it would be pretty hard to get an accurate accounting of these numbers. It wouldn't be too hard to get back park numbers.

[RichHeilman]

Interesting question. I don't think that it is automatic, but of course, anything is possible in ABAP, right? I would assume that "Early Watch" pretty much as the power to pull any information from your system that it wants. Performance data, database data, or even a program to review your "Z" code. I am not saying that they are doing it, but anything is possible.

I am not sure what the point would be though. Are you referring to finding out what "tools" delivered by SAP, are really being used in the real world?

Regards,

RIch Heilman

[Former Member]

Hi Rich/Dan -

All good points.

Actually, I'm just gathering information/opinions here for my first real post to TCC after the breather suggested by Eddy.

Thanks for taking the time to respond in a "no-points" forum.

Dan - you just reminded me of a nightmare I came to know all too well - special I/O COBOL statements that IBM wrote for the Army in 1972 or thereabouts (and which are still running most of wholesale Army logistics today).

Not only could a statement resolve into multiple different I/O calls at run-time, but the different flavors could be dependent solely on number and type of parameters associated with the call.

And them C/C++ folks thought they invented something brand-new!

Regards

djh

[stephenjohannes]

David,

Don't forget in the ABAP worldabout the "secret" SAP clients on every system that contain the "special programs" not able to be executed except in the "secret client". Many have speculated that it is part of some world takeover scheme, however nobody can confirm. The other speculation is that a system can be disabled remotely if someone doesn't pay their bills.

However the above is mostly an urban legend that speculates on what the real purpose of client 066 is in each system.

Take care,

Stephen

[Former Member]

Hi Stephen - <br><br>

heh heh heh ...

I love a good conspiracy theory, and that's a great one.

The only way it could be better is if the secret client # was 666 instead of 066.

regards

djh