In May 2023 we released the last major update regarding ABAP Cloud and SAP S/4HANA Extensibility. One important part of these updates are the Cloud API Enablement guidelines. Meanwhile we also have a tutorial for Cloud API Enablement. 

In this blog post I will summarize frequently asked questions regarding the Cloud API Enablement guidelines that we received in the last months. I will update this post over time to reflect incoming Q&A. 

Questions

• How can I enable existing SM30 customizing in Tier 1 coding? 
• Can I enable DDIC search helps for the usage in ABAP Cloud? 
• Can I use tier 2 also to mitigate missing remote APIs? 
• I get error TR461 (“Package must be assigned to the software component HOME”) when trying to create Z-packages in a software component for tier 2. What’s wrong?  
• What shall I do if a released CDS view does not contain all fields that I need?
• Can I wrap a conversion exit to be used in ABAP Cloud?
• Can I use a BAPI wrapper also for a new Fiori UI? 
• Are wrappers in tier 2 considered Clean Core?

Answers

How can I enable existing SM30 customizing in Tier 1 coding?

Create a CDS view wrapper on top of the customizing table. General guidance regarding the development of business configurations in the context of ABAP Cloud is provided in the Extensibility Guide in chapter 4.6.

Can I enable DDIC search helps for the usage in ABAP Cloud?

DDIC search helps are not and will not be part of ABAP Cloud. DDIC search helps are tightly integrated into Dynpro programming and SAP Gui UIs. With the change towards CDS, RAP and Fiori in ABAP Cloud these search helps cannot be used out of the box anymore. Instead, DDIC search helps shall be replaced by CDS based search helps. If a coding-based search help shall be reused, the coding needs to be encapsulated and can be wrapped. Summary:

• Table/View based DDIC search help: wrap the table with a CDS view, build the search help CDS view in tier 1 based on the wrapper CDS.
• code-based search help: wrap the function module executing the search help by a wrapper class, build a custom entity as search help in tier 1.

Can I use tier 2 also to mitigate missing remote APIs?

Tier 2 is suited for local API enablement. Custom remote APIs shall be developed in tier 1 using ABAP Cloud. In case a local SAP API is missing for your implementation, you can mitigate this using tier 2.

I get error TR461 (“Package must be assigned to the software component HOME”) when trying to create Z-packages in a software component for tier 2. What’s wrong?

Caused by a bug, solution in SAP Note 3319469

What shall I do if a released CDS view does not contain all fields that I need?

General guidance is given in the blog post Custom Fields in S/4HANA: Key User versus Developer Extensibility. If the field is required in existing SAP applications and processes, use key-user extensibility. If the field is required in developer extensions (custom apps, services, etc.):

• If the CDS view is enabled for extensibility (C0 release): Create an extension in tier 1.
• If it is not enabled for extensibility: Create a wrapper CDS view in tier 2 over the required table. Create a custom CDS view in tier 1 that joins the released view with the wrapper view to combine fields of both views.

Can I wrap a conversion exit to be used in ABAP Cloud?

No. In ABAP Cloud only ALPHA and ISOLA can be used. Conversion exits are problematic in general, more information is provided here.

Can I use a BAPI wrapper also for a new Fiori UI?

BAPIs with validation/simulation flavor can be used in Fiori UIs and Web APIs. The validate flavor shall be executed in the validation phase of the RAP BO, the productive flavor in the save. BAPIs without a validation/simulation flavor are not recommended to be used in Fiori UIs. Reason: The authorization checks and validations are only executed in the late save phase, where there is no possibility anymore for a controlled rollback to the UI. More information is given here.

Are wrappers in tier 2 considered Clean Core?

On-Stack extensions developed in tier 1 using ABAP Cloud follow Clean Core principles. Wrappers developed in tier 2 help you to do your development in tier 1 by leveraging existing classic APIs. Tier 2 is not an alternative development layer. Details of when a wrapper in tier 2 itself is considered Clean Core are currently under investigation. More information will be provided soon.