Key Differences Between Classic ABAP and ABAP on HANA
The transition from classic ABAP to ABAP on HANA represents a significant shift in how ABAP applications interact with the database, primarily due to the power of the SAP HANA in-memory database. While the core ABAP language remains the same, the underlying infrastructure, performance optimizations, and capabilities offered by HANA enable developers to write more efficient and scalable applications. Below, we outline the key differences between classic ABAP and ABAP on HANA .
- Database Interaction: Classic SQL vs. HANA-Optimized SQL
Classic ABAP : Classic ABAP uses Open SQL to interact with the database. Open SQL is a database-independent abstraction layer that works across different database platforms (e.g., Oracle, SQL Server, DB2). It ensures portability but limits access to advanced features of the underlying database.
ABAP on HANA: With ABAP on HANA, there is a direct focus on leveraging HANA-specific features like native SQL and SQLScript. This allows ABAP programs to execute HANA-optimized SQL queries that take full advantage of HANA’s capabilities such as in-memory processing, parallel execution, and advanced functions (e.g., full-text search, window functions). For example, developers can write native SQL directly using HANA-specific syntax, enabling high-performance queries.
Key Difference: Classic ABAP relies on database-agnostic Open SQL, while ABAP on HANA can use native SQL for more advanced and optimized queries tailored to the HANA platform.
- Performance Optimization: In-Memory vs. Disk-Based
Classic ABAP: In classic ABAP, database queries and data processing often involve reading data from disk-based relational databases. This can be slower as the database typically stores data on disk, and the database engine needs to handle disk I/O for data retrieval.
ABAP on HANA: SAP HANA is an in-memory database, which means it stores data in RAM instead of disk. This enables significantly faster data access and processing times. ABAP on HANA is designed to take advantage of this in-memory architecture. Developers can write applications that leverage HANA’s real-time processing power for faster analytics and transactions.
Key Difference: ABAP on HANA can execute data-intensive operations much faster due to HANA’s in-memory processing, while classic ABAP is limited by the performance of traditional disk-based databases.
- ABAP Programming Model: Traditional vs. Modern
Classic ABAP: Classic ABAP development focuses on the traditional, procedural programming model. Developers interact with the database using Open SQL or native SQL, and much of the logic (e.g., loops, condition checks) is handled at the application layer. The ABAP Workbench (SE80) is the primary tool for building applications.
ABAP on HANA: With ABAP on HANA, there is a move towards a more modern programming model that emphasizes data-centric programming. Developers are encouraged to use Core Data Services (CDS) views, ABAP Managed Database Procedures (AMDP), and Advanced Business Application Programming (ABAP) in the Cloud. These tools allow for better performance by pushing complex logic down to the database level, reducing the load on the application server.
Key Difference: ABAP on HANA encourages the use of CDS views and AMDPs, which promote more efficient, database-centric development as opposed to the traditional, procedural approach in classic ABAP.
- Data Access and Modeling: Traditional Tables vs. CDS Views
Classic ABAP: Classic ABAP uses transparent tables and views to interact with the database. Data retrieval is often done via Open SQL, and data modeling is typically done manually through database tables and views.
ABAP on HANA: ABAP on HANA makes extensive use of Core Data Services (CDS) views. CDS views are defined in the database layer and can encapsulate complex data logic, such as filtering, aggregation, and associations. They offer significant performance improvements by executing logic directly on the HANA database, leveraging HANA’s processing capabilities. Moreover, CDS views can be enhanced with annotations, enabling better integration with Fiori and SAP UI5 applications.
Key Difference: ABAP on HANA focuses on CDS views, which offer richer data models, better performance, and are optimized for the HANA database, whereas classic ABAP relies on simpler database tables and views.
- Optimizing Data Fetching: Result Set vs. Data Segmentation
Classic ABAP: In classic ABAP, large result sets are often fetched from the database and stored in memory, requiring significant resources. To handle large volumes of data efficiently, developers might need to manually segment or page through data.
ABAP on HANA: With ABAP on HANA, developers can take advantage of HANA’s in-memory capabilities to perform more complex data manipulations directly in the database. For example, developers can push aggregation and filtering logic to the database, reducing the amount of data transferred between the database and the application server.
Key Difference: ABAP on HANA allows for more efficient data processing and aggregation at the database level, reducing memory overhead and network traffic, unlike classic ABAP, where data segmentation and filtering are often handled at the application level.
- Transactional vs. Analytical Processing
Classic ABAP: Classic ABAP is generally focused on transactional processing (OLTP), such as managing business workflows, CRUD operations, and document processing. It interacts with traditional databases for day-to-day business processes.
ABAP on HANA: ABAP on HANA enables both transactional and analytical processing (OLTP and OLAP). HANA’s in-memory technology allows for real-time reporting and analytics, so developers can build applications that combine transactional and analytical workloads. HANA’s capabilities allow ABAP developers to write more complex analytical queries and reporting functionalities without compromising on performance.
Key Difference: ABAP on HANA is optimized for both transactional and analytical workloads, whereas classic ABAP focuses mainly on transactional processing.
- Fiori and UI Integration
Classic ABAP : Classic ABAP applications often rely on Dynpro (SAP GUI screens) or Web Dynpro for SAP UI for user interaction.
ABAP on HANA: With ABAP on HANA, there is a stronger focus on SAP Fiori and UI5 for building modern, responsive, and user-friendly interfaces. Since ABAP on HANA allows for more advanced data handling and real-time processing, it can deliver more interactive and engaging Fiori apps.
Key Difference: ABAP on HANA is designed to integrate seamlessly with modern UI technologies like Fiori and UI5, enabling a better user experience compared to traditional Dynpro or Web Dynpro.
Conclusion
The transition from classic ABAP to ABAP on HANA brings significant improvements in performance, scalability, and the ability to handle both transactional and analytical workloads. Key differences include database interaction (native SQL vs. Open SQL), performance optimizations through HANA’s in-memory architecture, the use of modern programming models like CDS views and AMDPs, and better integration with Fiori for modern UI development. ABAP on HANA enables more efficient and high-performance application development, taking full advantage of HANA’s in-memory capabilities.
