Working with Business Objects in SAP

By Swetabh Shukla, Infosys

Business Object type contains methods, attributes and events which give a component based view of any Business Process. 

For example we have a Purchase Order business process. This process includes various small functionalities. It will have process of changing Purchase orders based upon requirements, functionality to retrieve the details of purchase order etc. Each of these functionalities is encapsulated inside a method. The method can call the function modules present in R3 system or can have there own code to execute some functionality. So if we consider Purchase Order as a Business Object then it will be identified by key field Purchase Order number. Each purchase order business object based upon key field purchase order number is different. It’s so because each purchase order is different and will contain different details. 

So the methods contain business functionality. Attributes are just like properties of the Business object. For example for any purchase order Purchasing Group, Purchasing Organization etc are attributes. 

Technically we can say that business object types are just like any template. At runtime we instantiate or create runtime objects for any BO (Business Object) type based upon the key fields we pass. Two runtime Business objects of same BO type are different from each other based upon the key fields we pass. So the key field is the differentiating factor for two or more runtime business objects of same BO type. 

To Browse for BO open tcode SWO2 (Path -> Tools ->ABAP Workbench->Overview->Business Object Browser). 

                        

You can expand the nodes and can check various business objects in BOR. You can double click on the BO node and it will take you to BO display (SWO1).   

1           Working with Business Object in our programs 

For creating a Business Object and its attributes there are many already existing tutorials.  So in this tutorial we will not discuss creation of BO and its attributes.

1.1          To create instance of a BO

To create an instance of BO we need to have the key fields of that BO. Key fields will be used to uniquely identify the BO. We can use the FM 'SWO_CREATE' to create an instance of BO in any report program. 

DATA: i_objtype TYPE swo_objtyp, i_objkey TYPE swo_typeid, object TYPE swo_objhnd.i_objtype = <Business Object>i_objkey = <BO key>CALL FUNCTION 'SWO_CREATE' EXPORTING objtype = i_objtype objkey = i_objkey IMPORTING

object = object.

The variable ‘object’ will hold runtime instance of the object type.

 The other way is to use the macros defined in include <cntn01> 

INCLUDE <cntn01>.DATA: i_objtype TYPE swo_objtyp, i_objkey TYPE swo_typeid, object TYPE swc_object.*Create instance of Object typeswc_create_object object i_objtype i_objkey.

 Internally the macro calls the FM SWO_CREATE. So you can either go for direct FM call or the macro call.

1.2          Container 

Basically the term Container is used with reference to Business Objects and Workflows. The Container actually holds import and export parameters associated with any method of Business Object at runtime. When ever we are calling any method of Business Object we need to populate container for import parameters and after the method gets executed it returns the values (export parameters) in Container. 

Business Object container is technically of type SWCONT structure. 

 

Here ‘ELEMENT’ will be name of the variable/internal table which container holds and ‘VALUE’ will have corresponding value. For multi line variable or internal tables, the container will hold multiple values with same element name. 

1.2.1          Lets take an example to check what Container is 

For example let’s create a Business Object ‘ZSWE1’ with only one method ‘READ’. We will discuss the creation of BO in very brief. 

Key field will be Purchase Order number (EKKO_EBELN) for BO. 

Method READ will take Purchase Order number as input and will give all the Purchase Line items in it in an internal table. 

Step 1 : Create BO ZSWE1 for test purpose. You can give it any name. 

 

Step 2 : Now create a method READ

                             

Save the method. Now we will create the parameters of the method. 

Import Parameters PurchaseDocument EKKO-EBELNExport Parameter ITEM EKKO-EBELP (multi line)

 PurchasingDocument will be a import parameter of type EKKO_EBELN.

ITEM will be a export parameter of type EKKO_EBELP and will be a multi line variable(internal table ) 

 

 

...Previous

Save the method and then Click on the Program button to implement the method. In the method just read all ebeln (Purchase line items) corresponding to PO number into internal table ITEM and pass it on to container in the method. Check the snapshot below. 

 

Check the whole code of the BO program here.  

***** Implementation of object type ZSWE1 *****INCLUDE <OBJECT>.BEGIN_DATA OBJECT. " Do not change.. DATA is generated* only private members may be inserted into structure privateDATA:" begin of private," to declare private attributes remove comments and" insert private attributes here ..." end of private, BEGIN OF KEY, PURCHASINGDOCUMENT LIKE EKKO-EBELN, END OF KEY.END_DATA OBJECT. " Do not change.. DATA is generatedBEGIN_METHOD READ CHANGING CONTAINER.DATA: PURCHASINGDOCUMENT TYPE EKKO-EBELN, ITEM TYPE EKPO-EBELP OCCURS 0. SWC_GET_ELEMENT CONTAINER 'PurchasingDocument' PURCHASINGDOCUMENT. select ebelp into table item from ekpo where ebeln = PURCHASINGDOCUMENT. SWC_SET_TABLE CONTAINER 'Item' ITEM.END_METHOD. 

Step 1 : Save the changes and make the status of the BO to implemented for testing purpose. Also generate the BO. 

Step 2 : Now let’s test the BO. For this put a break point in the method READ at the select query. Also take any PO number which will have multiple line items. You can check EKKO and EKPO tables. In my case I am taking

PO ‘4200000017’. In my R3 system this particular PO contains 4 line items in EKPO table. Let’s put a break point and check the method. 

 

Step 3 : Execute the BO with key ‘4200000017’ 

 

Execute the method with import parameter as ‘420000017’ 

 

It will take you to debugging mode. Now check the container. 

In debug mode before the select statement the CONTAINER will hold only import variable 

 

Now execute the last statement in the method and see the contents of CONTAINER (just before exiting the method. 

 

So we have seen how the CONTAINER holds values while we are working with Business Objects at runtime. 

1.2.2          Some common macros defined in include <CNTN01> for working with Containers 

Functionality MacroTo write a single line variable in Container SWC_SET_ELEMENTTo read a single line variable from Container SWC_GET_ELEMENTTo write a multi line variable or internal table in Container SWC_SET_TABLETo read a multi line variable or internal table from Container SWC_GET_TABLETo clear the container SWC_CLEAR_CONTAINER

Further you can check the include <CNTN01> for more macros. Also check the macros. These macros call some specific function modules that you can use directly in your code. 

1.3          Calling a BO Method/Attribute in report programs 

We can create a instance of BO method using FM  'SWO_CREATE' or macro ‘SWC_CREATE_OBJECT’. 

First of all lets consider a BO 'BUS1001006'  (StandardMaterial). We will call the method ‘DISPLAY’. For this we will instantiate the BO with key ‘ZSHUKSWE20’( material number). 

To call a method or attribute of any BO we can use the FM 'SWO_INVOKE'. We have to take care while we call this FM. Suppose if we want to call an attribute defined in the method, then we need to populate the import parameter ACCESS with ‘G’. If we need to call the method of the BO then we need to populate the import parameter ACCESS with ‘C’. 

Lets create a report program and check step by step. We will fetch details of attribute “MATERIALTYPE” of BO 'BUS1001006' 

*&---------------------------------------------------------------------**& Report ZSWET_BO1*&*&---------------------------------------------------------------------**& To get attributes of BO instance in report*&*&---------------------------------------------------------------------*REPORT zswet_bo1.PARAMETERS: p_busobj(10) TYPE c DEFAULT 'BUS1001006', p_key(70) TYPE c DEFAULT 'ZSHUKSWE20' , p_attr(32) TYPE c DEFAULT 'MATERIALTYPE', p_access TYPE c DEFAULT 'G'. "To call method put 'C'DATA: i_objtype TYPE swo_objtyp, i_objkey TYPE swo_typeid, i_element TYPE swo_verb.DATA object TYPE swo_objhnd.DATA verb TYPE swo_verb.DATA return TYPE swotreturn.DATA lt_container TYPE STANDARD TABLE OF swcont.DATA line TYPE swcont.i_objtype = p_busobj.i_element = p_attr.i_objkey = p_key.* Instantiate the business object. i.e give it a key and create it.CALL FUNCTION 'SWO_CREATE' EXPORTING objtype = i_objtype objkey = i_objkey IMPORTING object = object.* Return attribute.CALL FUNCTION 'SWO_INVOKE' EXPORTING access = p_access object = object verb = i_element IMPORTING return = return verb = verb TABLES container = lt_container.* The attribute value is in the container returned from FM.IF return-code = 0. LOOP AT lt_container INTO line. WRITE: / 'Attribute MATERIAL TYPE is : ', line-value. ENDLOOP.ENDIF. 

Lets execute the report and see the output: 

Now lets see how to call a method of BO. The Method DISPLAY will display the material passed in BO container.

*&---------------------------------------------------------------**& Report ZSWET_BO1*&*&---------------------------------------------------------------**& To call method with import parameters*&*&---------------------------------------------------------------*REPORT zswet_bo1.* Get an attribute of a business object.PARAMETERS: p_busobj(10) TYPE c DEFAULT 'BUS1001006', p_key(70) TYPE c DEFAULT 'ZSHUKSWE20' , p_attr(32) TYPE c DEFAULT 'DISPLAY', p_access TYPE c DEFAULT 'C'. "To call method put 'C'DATA: i_objtype TYPE swo_objtyp, i_objkey TYPE swo_typeid, i_element TYPE swo_verb.DATA object TYPE swo_objhnd.DATA verb TYPE swo_verb.DATA return TYPE swotreturn.DATA lt_container TYPE STANDARD TABLE OF swcont.i_objtype = p_busobj.i_element = p_attr.i_objkey = p_key.*To call the method we need to populate the Container of the*BO with importing parametersCALL FUNCTION 'SWC_ELEMENT_SET' EXPORTING element = 'MATERIAL' field = p_key(18) "Material Number TABLES container = lt_container EXCEPTIONS OTHERS = 1.*Instantiate the business object. I.e give it a key and create it.CALL FUNCTION 'SWO_CREATE' EXPORTING objtype = i_objtype objkey = i_objkey IMPORTING object = object.* To call the Method of the BO.CALL FUNCTION 'SWO_INVOKE' EXPORTING access = p_access object = object

verb = i_element IMPORTING return = return verb = verb TABLES container = lt_container.

The Output will be:- 

                         

Lets see an example below on How  to Call the methods using the macros defined in include <CNTN01>. 

*&----------------------------------------------------------------**& Report ZSWET_BO1*&*&----------------------------------------------------------------**& Using macros defined in CNTN01 include. To call method of BO*& For reference check FM DNO_DB_APPENDIX_INSERT*&----------------------------------------------------------------*REPORT zswet_bo1.INCLUDE <cntn01>.* Get an attribute of a business object.PARAMETERS: p_busobj(10) TYPE c DEFAULT 'BUS1001006', p_key(70) TYPE c DEFAULT 'ZSHUKSWE20', p_attr(32) TYPE c DEFAULT 'DISPLAY', p_access TYPE c DEFAULT 'C'. "To call method put 'C'DATA: i_objtype TYPE swo_objtyp, i_objkey TYPE swo_typeid,

i_element TYPE swo_verb.DATA: gv_mat TYPE swc_object.i_objtype = p_busobj.i_element = p_attr.i_objkey = p_key.*Define containerswc_container container.*Create instance of Object typeswc_create_object gv_mat i_objtype i_objkey.**gv_mat will contain instance of the BO*To clear a continerswc_clear_container container.*Now to call a method fill up container with import parameters for methodswc_set_element container 'MATERIAL' p_key(18). "'MATERIAL' ->import parameter*For container of type table use swc_set_table.***If any more import parameter are there for the object then populate them***also using swc_set_element and swc_set_table*In this case no more import parameters*To call a method stored in p_attrswc_call_method gv_mat p_attr container.*If there are any export parameter, then CONTAINER will have the values*and we can read from container

The Output will be:- 

                         

1.4          To trigger an Event of BO 

We can use the FM ‘SWE_EVENT_CREATE’  to raise an event in any report program. An explicit commit work is required after the FM call to trigger the event, other wise event will not be raised. 

*&---------------------------------------------------------------**& Report ZSWET_BO1*&*&---------------------------------------------------------------*REPORT zswet_bo1.INCLUDE <cntn01>.* Get an attribute of a business object.PARAMETERS: p_busobj(10) TYPE c DEFAULT 'BUS1001006', p_key(70) TYPE c DEFAULT 'ZSHUKSWE20'.DATA: i_objtype TYPE swo_objtyp, i_objkey TYPE swo_typeid.i_objtype = p_busobj.i_objkey = p_key.*Define containerswc_container container.*To clear a continerswc_clear_container container.*You can populate the Container if required*To generate eventCALL FUNCTION 'SWE_EVENT_CREATE' EXPORTING objtype = i_objtype objkey = i_objkey event = 'CREATED' TABLES event_container = container EXCEPTIONS objtype_not_found = 1 OTHERS = 2.IF sy-subrc <> 0. " MESSAGE ID SY-MSGID TYPE SY-MSGTY NUMBER SY-MSGNO " WITH SY-MSGV1 SY-MSGV2 SY-MSGV3 SY-MSGV4 " RAISING OBJTYPE_NOT_FOUND.ENDIF.COMMIT WORK.

 

Just triggering an event does not makes any sense until and unless a proper event receiver id is linked to the event. This event receiver can be a FM or can be any workflow. Event linkage can be done in SWE2 or SWETYPV transactions.