What exactly is the SAP RESTful ABAP Programming Model (RAP) and how does it transform modern ABAP development?
In this post we are going to learn about SAP RESTful ABAP Programming Model(RAP). It’s a set of tools and frameworks within SAP that helps developers build modern, cloud-based applications using ABAP in a more efficient and standardized way.
RAP is a programming model designed to help developers create Fiori-based, UI5-enabled applications with a focus on REST APIs, allowing seamless integration with the SAP Cloud Platform. It’s primarily used to simplify the development of business applications by providing guidelines and a structure for both backend (ABAP) and frontend (UI5/Fiori) elements.
The SAP RAP framework supports:
Evolution of ABAP Programming Model
Before diving into SAP RAP, it’s important to first understand how it evolved from the traditional approach to ABAP programming. In the past, ABAP development relied heavily on procedural programming and tightly coupled architectures, which often led to complex, hard-to-maintain systems. SAP RAP was introduced to modernize and streamline ABAP development by embracing a more flexible, service-oriented architecture. This shift allows for better scalability, reusability, and integration with cloud-native technologies. Understanding this evolution will give you a clearer perspective on how SAP RAP improves the development process and brings greater efficiency to your projects.
Prerequisites for Hands-On Practice with SAP RAP
➱ How to add ABAP Development Tools(ADT) in your Eclipse.
SAP recommends using the latest version of the client installation. The ADT download is available on the update site https://tools.hana.ondemand.com/
➱ How to set up a SAP Free Trial account for RAP
RAP – The BIG Picture
The following diagram structures the development of an OData service from a design time perspective. In other words, it displays the major development artifacts that you have to deal with during the creation of an OData service with the ABAP RESTful Application Programming Model. The diagram takes a bottom-up approach that resembles the development flow. The main development tasks can be categorized in three layers, Data modeling and Behavior, business services provisioning and Service consumption.
