SAP BTP: Cloud Application Programming Model

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SAP Cloud Application Programming (CAP) Model exposes the ability to extend standard Cloud, on-premises and hybrid application functionality with flexible custom business logic scripted using the developer’s choice of programing language (SQL, SQL Script, Python, Node.js and JavaScript) and exposing the functionality to various user interfaces (UIs) e.g. Microsoft Power Bi, SAP Fiori, Dataiku and Google Big Query using various integration frameworks e.g. OData v4,JDBC/ODBC depending on the case study.

The developer takes pride in delivering a scalable extended functionality, embedding robust real-time monitoring capabilities to ensure a health life cycle and protecting the functionality with secure authentication protocols e.g. OAuth 2.0, JWT Bearer, SAML version 2.0 and RFC Specification.

Furthermore, the developer ensures a reliable and robust solutions by implementing continuous integration and continuous delivery CI/CD pipelines that automates testing, building and deployment of code changes this strategy ensures a speedy development and delivery cycle.

Traditionally developers extended business logic directly on-premises on the ABAP application server. With the ever-changing world of technology, digital transformation has become essential for organization to say afloat of competitors and therefore the programming model paradigms and capabilities of extending SAP solutions have evolved drastically and provides a seamless experience into the cloud.

Figure 1:

Architectural Paradigm Shift from Classic ABAP App server to CAP App server

Source: Thomas Jung, SAP HANA Extended Application Services blog, URL: https://community.sap.com/t5/technology-blogs-by-sap/sap-hana-extended-application-services/ba-p/129...

The SAP Cloud Application model comes with a rich set of languages, libraries, and tools for building enterprise-grade services and applications. It guides developers along a 'golden path' of proven best practices  and a great wealth of out-of-the-box solutions  to recurring tasks:

Figure 2:

SAP Cloud Application Model Architecture

Source HTTPS://Cap.cloud.sap , URL: https://cap.cloud.sap/docs/about/

The below diagram categories the skill set of SAP Cloud Developer based on the scope of the development either being ABAP or Non-ABAP. Each with its unique set of tools and methodologies:

Figure 3:

 SAP Cloud Developer skill set

Source: Building side-by-side extensions on SAP BTP, URL: https://learning.sap.com/learning-journeys/build-side-by-side-extensions-on-sap-btp/identifying-the-...

The Cloud Application Programming model enables a collaboration of agile cross functional teams inclusive of but not limited, depending on the scope of the development:  citizen developers (low-code/no-code), Professional developers (Scripting, OOP), business analysts, data engineers and application specialists to model robust data models:

Figure 4:

Agile cross functional team

Source: Investigating the Impact of Cross-Functional Teams on Business Success

URL: https://www.iienstitu.com/en/blog/cross-functional-teams

SAP Cloud Application Programming (CAP) Model enables a culture where people regardless of their title or background, work together to imagine, develop, deploy, and operate a solution. This strengthens the trust between employees and authentic healthy work relationships.

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Abbreviations:

APP: Application

CAP: Cloud Application Programing

CDS: Core Data Services

CI/CD: Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery

JWT: JSON Web token

OData: Open Data Protocol

RFC: Remote Function Call

SAML: Security Assertion Markup Language

SQL: Structured Query Language

UIs: User Interfaces