ABAP vs. Java vs. SAP Cloud Platform vs. VBScript Comparison Chart

ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming) is SAP’s proprietary fourth‑generation programming language, purpose‑built for mass data processing in SAP business applications. Utilized within SAP NetWeaver, it enables companies running SAP ERP and S/4 HANA to tailor systems precisely to their needs. ABAP is a multi‑paradigm language that supports procedural, object‑oriented, and other programming styles. It can seamlessly interoperate with languages such as Java, JavaScript, and SAPUI5. ABAP embraced object orientation with release 4.6C (2000) and saw even greater efficiency gains in ABAP 7.4/7.5, cutting code length by up to 50% via richer syntax, enhanced Open SQL, ABAP Managed Database Procedures, and Core Data Services (CDS) Views. The arrival of SAP HANA in 2011 shifted much processing into the in‑memory database layer, enabling real‑time operations and unlocking powerful new programming possibilities.

Extend your business processes in the cloud. Extend SAP solutions in a fast and agile way without disrupting key business processes - leveraging existing investments and expertise. Rapidly develop robust and scalable cloud-native applications. Leverage your existing ABAP expertise to create new extensions or renovate existing custom apps. Innovate for business agility with cloud-native, low-code, and responsive event-driven applications. Accelerate outcomes with intelligent business process optimization. Discover, configure, extend and optimize business processes, connecting experience data to operational workflows. Gain impactful and actionable insights to anticipate business outcomes and uncover new revenue and growth opportunities. Harness the power of predictive analytics and machine learning capabilities. Embed real-time intelligence into your business applications. Advance and personalize the user experience for your customers, partners and employees.