ABAP Cloud Developer Trial is a free, downloadable ABAP Platform on SAP HANA 2.0 for trying out the ABAP language and toolset. It is extensively pre-configured with SAP Fiori launchpad, SAP Cloud Connector, pre-configured backend /frontend connections, roles, and sample applications.
This solution is intended for two groups of developers:
- Non-ABAP developers, who are interested in learning more about the ABAP language and development tools
- ABAP developers, who are interested in learning about new features (see below for some highlights)
Please find the latest version of ABAP Cloud Developer Trial - 2025, initial shipment - on Docker here:
https://hub.docker.com/r/sapse/abap-cloud-developer-trial/tags
This Docker image comes with a detailed Readme file.
IMPORTANT:
Before you pull the image ⚠️
Make sure that you:
- understand the principles of docker container technology
- know the entities docker image / docker container and their relationship
- know the basic commands to work with images and containers
Troubleshooting/ Support ⚠️
Since ABAP Cloud Developer Trial is a free offering for education and demo purposes only, we offer it with SAP Community support. That means that no primary support is available for this product.
To get Community Support, please create a new question in the SAP Community - ABAP Development forum and add the user tag "#abap_trial". I will try to monitor these questions, but other experienced ABAP users / mentors also see them and often provide support.
(NOTE: Now that comments are no longer threaded, it is almost impossible to keep track of / answer your troubleshooting / error questions, so posting a question is more efficient than posting a comment.)
I have started putting together FAQs specifically for ABAP Platform Trial / ABAP Cloud Developer Trial on Docker. If you would like to contribute to this, please let me know:
ABAP Trial Platform on Docker: Tips and Tricks
ABAP License
The ABAP license supplied with the Docker image lasts only three months. Therefore, you should download and import the demo license as follows:
- Logon to your ABAP system with the user SAP*, client 000, same password as for DEVELOPER (DEVELOPER , client 001, is locked).
- Start transaction SLICENSE; copy the hardware key.
- Get the license from minisap , choosing the system A4H.
- Back in your ABAP System, start SLICENSE again, then choose Install.
- Log off, then log on with the user DEVELOPER, client 001.
- The old ("INITIAL") license(s) should be deleted automatically. If not, start SLICENSE again; remove the old invalid licenses. (sap* is not allowed to delete licenses).
What's new in 2025: 🌟
Too much to describe it all here, basically. My colleague Olga Dolinskaja has written the definitive guide and overview presentation to the platform: ABAP Platform in SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition and SAP S/4HANA 2025.
Here are just a few highlights, of either the ABAP Platform or the ABAP Cloud Developer Trial specifically:
Clean core development: New Extensibility Model
As of August 2025, SAP introduced a new extensibility model, which categorizes extensions into four levels (A, B, C, and D) and provides rules for ABAP classic extensions to meet the clean core level qualifications, explained here: Clean core extensibility white paper.
For governance of ABAP clean core development, the ABAP test cockpit (ATC) now supports the clean core level concept with new ATC checks (see the blog post ABAP test cockpit (ATC) recommendations for governance of clean core ABAP development).
Integration of ABAP Developer Tools in Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
Yes, you can now choose between ABAP Development Tools in Eclipse and ABAP Development Tools in Visual Studio Code. And yes, since mid-June, you can log on to an on-premise system without SSO – including, of course, ABAP Cloud Developer Trial. I’ve tried this; I find it really simple to install or update the extension.
Thomas Ritter has more details here:
ABAP development tools for Visual Studio Code is now available on the VS Code marketplace!
Create a Fiori Elements app directly from ADT in Eclipse
Once you’ve configured an external IDE, you can now create a SAP Fiori Elements app directly from your ABAP Development Tools, either in VS Code or Eclipse. I have configured the Trial, tested this in Eclipse, and written about it here:
Connecting ABAP Cloud Developer Trial 2025 (Docker) to SAP Fiori Tools
Other highlights of ABAP Cloud Developer Trial:
As always, we provide a variety of pre-configured connections, roles, and sample applications, including:
| Official documentation or SAP Blog Posts | Community blog posts | |
| abapGit | https://docs.abapgit.org/ | abapGit So Easy |
| SAP Cloud Connector | SAP Help Documentation | SAP Cloud Connector – A Brief Guide for Beginners |
| Custom Code Migration with ABAP Test Cockpit (ATC) | Remote Code Analysis in ATC | |
| Flight Ref Scenario 2025 | ABAP Flight Reference Scenario |
AND FINALLY: Only for customers of SAP Joule for Developers, ABAP AI capabilities
Provided you have a valid license for SAP BTP, ABAP environment, SAP Joule for Developers, ABAP AI capabilities, based on SAP AI Units: You can now call SAP Joule for Developers, ABAP AI capabilities from within ABAP Cloud Developer Trial, on a side-by-side basis..
You can find out more here, by Swathy S :
SAP Joule for Developers, ABAP AI capabilities including agentic capabilities is now available!
If you want to try this, my colleague Carine Tchoutouo Djomo has written a great tutorial on Github:
RAP130 - Build SAP Fiori Apps with ABAP Cloud and SAP Joule for Developers in Visual Studio Code
Guides and Tutorials
If you’re not sure where to start with your new system, we have written several tutorials:
SAP Tutorial Navigator: ABAP On-Premise Tutorials
Alternatively, if you want a structured course, I can recommend:
Acquiring Core ABAP Skills | SAP Learning Journey
And finally, finally: Many thanks to everyone who has supported this product and waited so patiently for this version. You're a great Community. Enjoy!
Bluesky
