What is ABAP? ABAP Stands for?

ABAP stands for Advanced Business Application Programming. It is a programming language developed by SAP. SAP is a German company that develops ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning System) systems. These systems are used by companies to track all information related to the business integrating finance, sales, and materials data. ABAP/4 is the programming language used for the thousand tiny embedded programs called transactions that make up the application. The /4 means it is a fourth generation language.

ABAP is code written in an interpretive language similar to COBOL in syntax. The language can be coded to look almost like COBOL. According to our text, it is a COBOL and Pascal cross-breed. Its use allows SAP customers to extend the functionality of the base product.

SAP is very flexible, it can be used for specific business functions rather than the whole enterprise and can be modified for the companies specific needs. Every SAP installation has its own specific configuration and set of functions. The cost of customizing is that when upgraded every customization must be identified in the ABAP code and changes made. This means upgrades are very costly. Customization should be avoided for easier upgrades in the SAP software.