# ABAP

> proprietary programming language of the software company SAP, for programming commercial applications in the SAP environment

**Wikidata**: [Q380523](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q380523)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABAP)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/abap

## Summary
ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming) is a proprietary high-level programming language developed by SAP, designed for building and customizing commercial applications within the SAP ecosystem. First released in 1983, it combines object-oriented, structured, and imperative programming paradigms to support enterprise software development. ABAP enables developers to extend SAP systems with business-specific functionality while abstracting low-level technical details.

## Key Facts
- Developed by SAP and first released in 1983.
- Proprietary programming language tailored for commercial applications in SAP environments.
- Officially named "Advanced Business Application Programming" and originally "Allgemeiner Berichts-Aufbereitungs-Prozessor" (German).
- Supports object-oriented programming (OOP), structured programming, and imperative programming paradigms.
- Uses static typing, strong typing, safe typing, and nominative typing disciplines.
- Influenced by SQL, enabling integration with database operations.
- Primary tool for customizing and extending SAP software, such as ERP systems.
- Evolved from ABAP/4 to ABAP Objects, introducing OOP features.
- Licensed under proprietary terms, with official documentation and community resources available via SAP platforms.
- Recognized in academic and technical contexts (e.g., GND ID: 4610511-6, FAST ID: 793777).
- Maintains active communities on platforms like GitHub (topic: `abap`) and Stack Overflow.

## FAQs
### Q: Who developed ABAP, and when was it first released?
A: ABAP was developed by the software company SAP and first released in 1983 to support commercial application development within its ecosystem.

### Q: What programming paradigms does ABAP support?
A: ABAP supports object-oriented programming (OOP), structured programming, and imperative programming, allowing developers to use modern and traditional coding approaches.

### Q: How does ABAP relate to the SAP ecosystem?
A: ABAP is the primary language for customizing, extending, and maintaining applications within SAP environments, such as ERP systems, making it essential for businesses relying on SAP software.

### Q: What typing disciplines does ABAP use?
A: ABAP employs static typing, strong typing, safe typing, and nominative typing to ensure code reliability and maintainability in large-scale enterprise applications.

### Q: What influenced the design of ABAP?
A: ABAP’s development was influenced by SQL, reflecting its focus on integrating database operations and business logic in commercial software solutions.

### Q: Is ABAP open-source or proprietary?
A: ABAP is a proprietary language owned by SAP, requiring proper licensing for use in commercial and enterprise environments.

## Why It Matters
ABAP is critical for businesses using SAP systems, as it enables the customization and extension of enterprise software to meet specific organizational needs. Its integration with SAP’s ecosystem ensures seamless interaction with modules like finance, logistics, and human resources, streamlining complex workflows. As a high-level language, ABAP abstracts hardware and low-level programming details, allowing developers to focus on business logic rather than technical infrastructure. This abstraction, combined with its support for modern paradigms like OOP, has made ABAP indispensable for large-scale commercial applications, driving efficiency and innovation in global enterprises since the 1980s.

## Notable For
- **Proprietary Integration**: Exclusively designed for SAP environments, ensuring optimized performance and compatibility with enterprise systems.
- **Evolution with Technology**: Transitioned from procedural (ABAP/4) to object-oriented (ABAP Objects) programming, adapting to industry trends.
- **SQL Influence**: Incorporates SQL-like syntax for database operations, bridging business logic and data management.
- **Static Typing**: Enforces code reliability through strict type checking, reducing errors in mission-critical applications.
- **Long-Term Relevance**: Maintained continuous use since 1983, reflecting its adaptability to changing enterprise needs.
- **Comprehensive Tooling**: Supported by the ABAP Workbench and extensive SAP documentation, facilitating development and maintenance.

## Body
### History and Development
ABAP was first released in 1983 by SAP as a tool for building commercial applications. Initially named "Allgemeiner Berichts-Aufbereitungs-Prozessor" (German for "General Report Preparation Processor"), it evolved from ABAP/4 in the 1990s to ABAP Objects, which introduced object-oriented programming (OOP) capabilities. This evolution aligned with industry shifts toward modular, reusable code, ensuring ABAP’s relevance in modern software development.

### Technical Features
ABAP supports **object-oriented programming (OOP)**, **structured programming**, and **imperative programming**, allowing developers to choose the most effective approach for specific tasks. Its **static typing** and **strong typing** disciplines enforce code integrity, while **nominative typing** enhances clarity. The language integrates **SQL-like syntax**, streamlining database interactions—a feature influenced by its relational database roots.

### Ecosystem and Usage
ABAP is central to the **SAP ecosystem**, used to customize and extend applications such as ERP, CRM, and supply chain management systems. Developers leverage the **ABAP Workbench**, an integrated development environment (IDE), for coding, debugging, and testing. Its role in enterprise software maintenance ensures businesses can adapt SAP solutions to unique workflows without modifying core systems.

### Related Technologies
ABAP’s design was influenced by **SQL**, emphasizing tight integration with database operations. It complements other SAP technologies, such as **SAP HANA** (an in-memory database), and works alongside **SAP Fiori** for user interface development. While proprietary, ABAP coexists with open-source languages like Python and Java in hybrid enterprise environments.

### Recognition and Resources
ABAP is recognized in academic and technical contexts, with identifiers such as **GND ID: 4610511-6** and **FAST ID: 793777**. Official resources include the [SAP ABAP Community](http://scn.sap.com/community/abap) and the [ABAP User Manual](https://help.sap.com/doc/abapdocu_latest_index_htm/). Active communities on **GitHub** (topic: `abap`) and **Stack Overflow** (tag: `abap`) provide support for developers.

### Cultural and Linguistic Impact
ABAP’s name and documentation are available in multiple languages, including German, English, and French, reflecting its global use. Pronunciation guides, such as the [French audio recording](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/LL-Q150_(fra)-Benoît_Prieur-ABAP.wav), facilitate international collaboration. Its terminology (e.g., "ABAP Objects," "ABAP/4") underscores its evolution and technical depth.

## References

1. datos.bne.es
2. Integrated Authority File
3. SUDOC
4. [Source](https://lingualibre.fr/wiki/Q201055)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
7. National Library of Israel