SAP Interview Questions

1. What is ERP? - ERP is a package with the techniques and concepts for the integrated
management of business as a whole, for effective use of management resources, to
improve the efficiency of an enterprise. Initially, ERP was targeted for manufacturing
industry mainly for planning and managing core business like production and
financial market. As the growth and merits of ERP package ERP software is designed
for basic process of a company from manufacturing to small shops with a target of
integrating information across the company.
2. Different types of ERP? - SAP, BAAN, JD Edwards, Oracle Financials, Siebel,
PeopleSoft. Among all the ERP’s most of the companies implemented or trying to
implement SAP because of number of advantages aver other ERP packages.
3. What is SAP? - SAP is the name of the company founded in 1972 under the German
name (Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing) is the leading ERP
(Enterprise Resource Planning) software package.
4. Explain the concept of “Business Content” in SAP Business Information
Warehouse? - Business Content is a pre-configured set of role and task-relevant
information models based on consistent Metadata in the SAP Business Information
Warehouse. Business Content provides selected roles within a company with the
information they need to carry out their tasks. These information models essentially
contain roles, workbooks, queries, InfoSources, InfoCubes, key figures,
characteristics, update rules and extractors for SAP R/3, mySAP.com Business
Applications and other selected applications.
5. Why do you usually choose to implement SAP? - There are number of technical
reasons numbers of companies are planning to implement SAP. It’s highly
configurable, highly secure data handling, min data redundancy, max data
consistency, you can capitalize on economics of sales like purchasing, tight
integration-cross function.
6. Can BW run without a SAP R/3 implementation? - Certainly. You can run BW
without R/3 implementation. You can use pre-defined business content in BW using
your non-SAP data. Here you simply need to map the transfer structures associated
with BW data sources (InfoCubes, ODS tables) to the inbound data files or use 3rd
part tool to connect your flat files and other data sources and load data in BW. Several
third party ETL products such as Acta, Infomatica, DataStage and others will have
been certified to load data in BW.
7. What is IDES? - International Demonstration and Education System. A sample
application provided for faster learning and implementation.
8. What is WF and its importance? - Business Work Flow: Tool for automatic control
and execution of cross-application processes. This involves coordinating the persons
involved, the work steps required, the data, which needs to be processed (business
objects). The main advantage is reduction in throughput times and the costs involved
in managing business processes. Transparency and quality are enhanced by its use.
9. What is SAP R/3? - A third generation set of highly integrated software modules that
performs common business function based on multinational leading practice. Takes
care of any enterprise however diverse in operation, spread over the world. In R/3
system all the three servers like presentation, application server and database server
are located at different system.
10. What are presentation, application and database servers in SAP R/3? - The
application layer of an R/3 System is made up of the application servers and the
message server. Application programs in an R/3 System are run on application

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 servers. The application servers communicate with the presentation components, the
database, and also with each other, using the message server. All the data are stored in
a centralized server. This server is called database server.
11. What should be the approach for writing a BDC program? - Convert the legacy
system data to a flat file and convert flat file into internal table. Transfer the flat file
into sap system called “sap data transfer”. Call transaction(Write the program
explicitly) or create sessions (sessions are created and processed ,if success data will
transfer).
12. Explain open SQL vs native SQL? - ABAP Native SQL allows you to include
database-specific SQL statements in an ABAP program. Most ABAP programs
containing database-specific SQL statements do not run with different databases. If
different databases are involved, use Open SQL. To execute ABAP Native SQL in an
ABAP program, use the statement EXEC. Open SQL (Subset of standard SQL
statements), allows you to access all database tables available in the R/3 System,
regardless of the manufacturer. To avoid conflicts between database tables and to
keep ABAP programs independent from the database system used, SAP has generated
its own set of SQL statements known as Open SQL.
13. What are datasets? - The sequential files (processed on application server) are called
datasets. They are used for file handling in SAP.
14. What are internal tables check table, value table, and transparent table? -
Internal table: It is a standard data type object, which exists only during the runtime of
the program. Check table: Check table will be at field level checking. Value table:
Value table will be at domain level checking ex: scarr table is check table for carrid.
Transparent table: - Exists with the same structure both in dictionary as well as in
database exactly with the same data and fields.
15. What are the major benefits of reporting with BW over R/3? Would it be
sufficient just to Web-enable R/3 Reports? - Performance — Heavy reporting along
with regular OLTP transactions can produce a lot of load both on the R/3 and the
database (cpu, memory, disks, etc). Just take a look at the load put on your system
during a month end, quarter end, or year-end — now imagine that occurring even
more frequently. Data analysis — BW uses a Data Warehouse and OLAP concepts
for storing and analyzing data, where R/3 was designed for transaction processing.
With a lot of work you can get the same analysis out of R/3 but most likely would be
easier from a BW.
16. How can an ERP such as SAP help a business owner learn more about how
business operates? - In order to use an ERP system, a
business person must understand the business processes and how they work together
from one functional area to the other. This knowledge gives the student a much
deeper understanding of how a business operates. Using SAP as a tool to learn about
ERP systems will require that the
people understand the business processes and how they integrate.
17. What is the difference between OLAP and Data Mining? - OLAP - On line
Analytical processing is a reporting tool configured to understand your database
schema ,composition facts and dimensions . By simple point-n-clicking, a user can
run any number of canned or user-designed reports without having to know anything
of SQL or the schema. Because of that prior configuration, the OLAP engine “builds”
and executes the appropriate SQL. Mining is to build the application to specifically
look at detailed analyses, often algorithmic; even more often misappropriate called
“reporting.

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 18. What is “Extended Star Schema” and how did it emerge? - The Star Schema
consists of the Dimension Tables and the Fact Table. The Master Data related tables
are kept in separate tables, which has reference to the characteristics in the dimension
table(s). These separate tables for master data is termed as the Extended Star Schema.
19. Define Meta data, Master data and Transaction data - Meta Data: Data that
describes the structure of data or MetaObjects is called Metadata. In other words data
about data is known as Meta Data. Master Data: Master data is data that remains
unchanged over a long period of time. It contains information that is always needed in
the same way. Characteristics can bear master data in BW. With master data you are
dealing with attributes, texts or hierarchies. Transaction data: Data relating to the day-
to-day transactions is the Transaction data.
20. Name some drawbacks of SAP - Interfaces are huge problem, Determine where
master data resides, Expensive, very complex, demands highly trained staff, lengthy
implementation time.
21. What is Bex? - Bex stands for Business Explorer. Bex enables end user to locate
reports, view reports, analyze information and can execute queries. The queries in
workbook can be saved to there respective roles in the Bex browser. Bex has the
following components: Bex Browser, Bex analyzer, Bex Map, Bex Web.
22. What are variables? - Variables are parameters of a query that are set in the
parameter query definition and are not filled with values until the queries are inserted
into workbooks. There are different types of variables which are used in different
application: Characteristics variables, Hierarchies and hierarchy node, Texts,
Formulas, Processing types, User entry/Default type, Replacment Path.
23. What is AWB?. What is its purpose? - AWB stands for Administrator WorkBench.
AWB is a tool for controlling, monitoring and maintaining all the processes connected
with data staging and processing in the business information whearhousing.
24. What is the significance of ODS in BIW? - An ODS Object serves to store
consolidated and debugged transaction data on a document level (atomic level). It
describes a consolidated dataset from one or more InfoSources. This dataset can be
analyzed with a BEx Query or InfoSet Query. The data of an ODS Object can be
updated with a delta update into InfoCubes and/or other ODS Objects in the same
system or across systems. In contrast to multi-dimensional data storage with
InfoCubes, the data in ODS Objects is stored in transparent, flat database tables.
25. What are the different types of source system? - SAP R/3 Source Systems, SAP
BW, Flat Files and External Systems.
26. What is Extractor? - Extractors is a data retrieval mechanisms in the SAP source
system. Which can fill the extract structure of a data source with the data from the
SAP source system datasets. The extractor may be able to supply data to more fields
than exist in the extract structure.

SAP ABAP interview questions

1. What is an ABAP data dictionary?- ABAP 4 data dictionary describes the logical
structures of the objects used in application development and shows how they are
mapped to the underlying relational database in tables/views.
2. What are domains and data element?- Domains:Domain is the central object for
describing the technical characteristics of an attribute of an business objects. It
describes the value range of the field. Data Element: It is used to describe the

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 semantic definition of the table fields like description the field. Data element
describes how a field can be displayed to end-user.
3. What is foreign key relationship?- A relationship which can be defined between
tables and must be explicitly defined at field level. Foreign keys are used to ensure the
consistency of data. Data entered should be checked against existing data to ensure
that there are now contradiction. While defining foreign key relationship cardinality
has to be specified. Cardinality mentions how many dependent records or how
referenced records are possible.
4. Describe data classes.- Master data: It is the data which is seldomly changed.
Transaction data: It is the data which is often changed. Organization data: It is a
customizing data which is entered in the system when the system is configured and is
then rarely changed. System data:It is the data which R/3 system needs for itself.
5. What are indexes?- Indexes are described as a copy of a database table reduced to
specific fields. This data exists in sorted form. This sorting form ease fast access to
the field of the tables. In order that other fields are also read, a pointer to the
associated record of the actual table are included in the index. Yhe indexes are
activated along with the table and are created automatically with it in the database.
6. Difference between transparent tables and pooled tables.- Transparent tables:
Transparent tables in the dictionary has a one-to-one relation with the table in
database. Its structure corresponds to single database field. Table in the database has
the same name as in the dictionary. Transparent table holds application data. Pooled
tables. Pooled tables in the dictionary has a many-to-one relation with the table in
database. Table in the database has the different name as in the dictionary. Pooled
table are stored in table pool at the database level.
7. What is an ABAP/4 Query?- ABAP/4 Query is a powerful tool to generate simple
reports without any coding. ABAP/4 Query can generate the following 3 simple
reports: Basic List: It is the simple reports. Statistics: Reports with statistical functions
like Average, Percentages. Ranked Lists: For analytical reports. - For creating a
ABAP/4 Query, programmer has to create user group and a functional group.
Functional group can be created using with or without logical database table. Finally,
assign user group to functional group. Finally, create a query on the functional group
generated.
8. What is BDC programming?- Transferring of large/external/legacy data into SAP
system using Batch Input programming. Batch input is a automatic procedure referred
to as BDC(Batch Data Communications).The central component of the transfer is a
queue file which receives the data vie a batch input programs and groups associated
data into “sessions”.
9. What are the functional modules used in sequence in BDC?- These are the 3
functional modules which are used in a sequence to perform a data transfer
successfully using BDC programming: BDC_OPEN_GROUP - Parameters like Name
of the client, sessions and user name are specified in this functional modules.
BDC_INSERT - It is used to insert the data for one transaction into a session.
BDC_CLOSE_GROUP - This is used to close the batch input session.
10. What are internal tables?- Internal tables are a standard data type object which
exists only during the runtime of the program. They are used to perform table
calculations on subsets of database tables and for re-organising the contents of
database tables according to users need.
11. What is ITS? What are the merits of ITS?- ITS is a Internet Transaction Server.
ITS forms an interface between HTTP server and R/3 system, which converts screen
provided data by the R/3 system into HTML documents and vice-versa. Merits of

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 ITS: A complete web transaction can be developed and tested in R/3 system. All
transaction components, including those used by the ITS outside the R/3 system at
runtime, can be stored in the R/3 system. The advantage of automatic language
processing in the R/3 system can be utilized to language-dependent HTML documents
at runtime.
12. What is DynPro?- DynPro is a Dynamic Programming which is a combination of
screen and the associated flow logic Screen is also called as DynPro.
13. What are screen painter and menu painter?- Screen painter: Screen painter is a
tool to design and maintain screen and its elements. It allows user to create GUI
screens for the transactions. Attributes, layout, filed attributes and flow logic are the
elements of Screen painter. Menu painter: Menu painter is a tool to design the
interface components. Status, menu bars, menu lists, F-key settings, functions and
titles are the components of Menu painters. Screen painter and menu painter both are
the graphical interface of an ABAP/4 applications.
14. What are the components of SAP scripts?- SAP scripts is a word processing tool of
SAP which has the following components: Standard text. It is like a standard normal
documents. Layout sets. - Layout set consists of the following components: Windows
and pages, Paragraph formats, Character formats. Creating forms in the R/3 system.
Every layout set consists of Header, paragraph, and character string. ABAP/4
program.
15. What is ALV programming in ABAP? When is this grid used in ABAP?- ALV is
Application List viewer. Sap provides a set of ALV (ABAP LIST VIEWER) function
modules which can be put into use to embellish the output of a report. This set of
ALV functions is used to enhance the readability and functionality of any report
output. Cases arise in sap when the output of a report contains columns extending
more than 255 characters in length. In such cases, this set of ALV functions can help
choose selected columns and arrange the different columns from a report output and
also save different variants for report display. This is a very efficient tool for
dynamically sorting and arranging the columns from a report output. The report
output can contain up to 90 columns in the display with the wide array of display
options.
16. What are the events in ABAP/4 language?- Initialization, At selection-screen, Start-
of-selection, end-of-selection, top-of-page, end-of-page, At line-selection, At user-
command, At PF, Get, At New, At LAST, AT END, AT FIRST.
17. What is CTS and what do you know about it?- The Change and Transport System
(CTS) is a tool that helps you to organize development projects in the ABAP
Workbench and in Customizing, and then transport the changes between the SAP
Systems and clients in your system landscape. This documentation provides you with
an overview of how to manage changes with the CTS and essential information on
setting up your system and client landscape and deciding on a transport strategy. Read
and follow this documentation when planning your development project.
18. What are logical databases? What are the advantages/ dis-advantages of logical
databases?- To read data from a database tables we use logical database. A logical
database provides read-only access to a group of related tables to an ABAP/4
program. Advantages: i)check functions which check that user input is complete,
correct,and plausible. ii)Meaningful data selection. iii)central authorization checks for
database accesses. iv)good read access performance while retaining the hierarchical
data view determined by the application logic. dis advantages: i)If you donot specify a
logical database in the program attributes,the GET events never occur. ii)There is no

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 ENDGET command,so the code block associated with an event ends with the next
event statement (such as another GET or an END-OF-SELECTION).
19. What is a batch input session?- BATCH INPUT SESSION is an intermediate step
between internal table and database table. Data along with the action is stored in
session ie data for screen fields, to which screen it is passed, program name behind it,
and how next screen is processed.
20. How to upload data using CATT ?- These are the steps to be followed to Upload
data through CATT: Creation of the CATT test case & recording the sample data
input. Download of the source file template. Modification of the source file. Upload
of the data from the source file.
21. What is Smart Forms?- Smart Forms allows you to create forms using a graphical
design tool with robust functionality, color, and more. Additionally, all new forms
developed at SAP will be created with the new Smart Form solution.
22. How can I make a differentiation between dependent and independent data?-
Client dependent or independent transfer requirements include client specific or cross
client objects in the change requests. Workbench objects like SAPscripts are client
specific, some entries in customizing are client independent. If you display the object
list for one change request, and then for each object the object attributes, you will find
the flag client specific. If one object in the task list has this flag on, then that transport
will be client dependent.
23. What is the difference between macro and subroutine?- Macros can only be used
in the program the are defined in and only after the definition are expanded at
compilation / generation. Subroutines (FORM) can be called from both the program
the are defined in and other programs . A MACRO is more or less an abbreviation for
some lines of code that are used more than once or twice. A FORM is a local
subroutine (which can be called external). A FUNCTION is (more or less) a
subroutine that is called external. Since debugging a MACRO is not really possible,
prevent the use of them (I’ve never used them, but seen them in action). If the
subroutine is used only local (called internal) use a FORM. If the subroutine is called
external (used by more than one program) use a FUNCTION.

Answers to some ABAP Interview Questions

1) What is runtime analysis? Have you used this?

It's checks program execution time in microseconds. When you go to se30.if you give desired
program name in performance file. It will take you to below screen. You can get how much
past is your program.

2) What is meant by performance analysis? Have done

3) How to transfer the objects? Have you transferred any objects?

4) How did you test the developed objects?

I was testing a developed object. There are two types of testing

- Negative testing
- Positive testing

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In negative testing we will give negative data in input and we check any errors occurs.

In positive testing we will give positive data in input for checking errors.

8) How did you handle errors in Call Transaction?

We can create a internal table like 'bsgmcgcoll'. All the messages will go to internal table. We
can get errors in this internal table.

Below messages are go to internal table. when you run the call transaction.
- Message type
- Message id
- Message Number
- Variable1
- Variable2
- Variable3

9) Among the Call Transaction and Session Method, which is faster?

Call transaction is faster then session method. But usually we use session method in real
time...because we can transfer large amount of data from internal table to database and if any
errors in a session. Process will not complete until session get correct.

10) What are the difference between Interactive and

Drill Down Reports?

ABAP/4 provides some interactive events on lists such as AT LINE-SELECTION (double

click) or AT USER-COMMAND (pressing a button). You can use these events to move
through layers of information about individual items in a list.

Drill down report is nothing but interactive report...drilldown means above paragraph only.

11) How to pass the variables to forms?

12) What is the table, which contain the details of all the name of the programs and forms?

Table contains vertical and horizontal lines. We can store the data in table as blocks. We can
scroll depends upon your wish. And these all are stored in database (data dictionary).

Which contain the details of all the name of the programs and forms? (I don't know).

13) How did you test the form u developed? How did you taken print?

14) What are Standard Texts?

16) What is the difference between Clustered Tables and Pooled Tables?

A pooled table is used to combine several logical tables in the ABAP/4 dictionary. Pooled
tables are logical tables that must be assigned to a table pool when they are defined.

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Cluster table are logical tables that must be assigned to a table cluster when they are defined.

Cluster table can be used to store control data they can also used to store temporary data or
text such as documentation.

17) What is pf-status?

Pf status is used in interactive report for enhancing the functionality. If we go to se41, we can
get menus, items and different function keys, which we are using for secondary list in
interactive report.

18) Among "Move" and "Move Corresponding", which is efficient one?

I guess, 'move corresponding' is very efficient then 'move' statement. Because usually we use
this stamtent for internal table fields only...so if we give move corresponding. Those fields
only moving to other place (what ever you want).

19) What are the output type and Tcodes?

20) Where we use Chain and End chain?

21) Do you use select statement in loop end loop, how will be the performance? To improve
the performance?

22) In select-options, how to get the default values as current month first date and last date by
default?
Eg: 1/12/2004 and 31/12/2004

Simple SAP ABAP questions

1. What is the difference between watchpoint and breakpoint?

2. How many watchpoints and breakpoints can be used in each program?
3. Types of watchpoints and breakpoints?
4. How do you transfer file from application server to SAP R/3 system?
5. What is commit and rollback?
6. Using BDC when uploading the data to database, what are all the fields that the table
(BDCDATA) will display?

SAP/ABAP interview questions

1. Type of table?
2. Events of module pool?
3. Events of interactive report?
4. Filters & idoc and segments?
5. Types of enhancements?
6. Type of partner profile?
7. What is RFC? What is its purpose?

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 8. Steps of LSMW?
9. Types of BDC? How u proceed BDC(call transaction) without recording?
10. What is message type in idoc?
11. What is a dialog program?
12. What is debugging? How do you proceed the steps in your reports?
13. What are the parameters passed to fieldcatalog?
14. What are all the tools used for debugging and run time analysis?

ABAP Technical Interview Questions:

1. What is the typical structure of an ABAP program?

2. What are field symbols and field groups.? Have you used "component idx of structure" clause with
field groups?
3. What should be the approach for writing a BDC program?
4. What is a batch input session?
5. What is the alternative to batch input session?
6. A situation: An ABAP program creates a batch input session. We need to submit the program and
the batch session in background. How to do it?
7. What is the difference between a pool table and a transparent table and how they are stored at the
database level?
8. What are the problems in processing batch input sessions? How is batch input process different
from processing on line?
9. What do you define in the domain and data element?
10. What are the different types of data dictionary objects?
11. How many types of tables exist and what are they in data dictionary?
12. What is the step-by-step process to create a table in data dictionary?
13. Can a transparent table exist in data dictionary but not in the database physically?
14. What are the domains and data elements?
15. Can you create a table with fields not referring to data elements?
16. What is the advantage of structures? How do you use them in the ABAP programs?
17. What does an extract statement do in the ABAP program?
18. What is a collect statement? How is it different from append?
19. What is open sql vs native sql?
20. What does an EXEC SQL stmt do in ABAP? What is the disadvantage of using it?
21. What is the meaning of ABAP editor integrated with ABAP data dictionary?
22. What are the events in ABAP language?
23. What is an interactive report? What is the obvious diff of such report compared with classical type
reports?
24. What is a drill down report?
25. How do you write a function module in SAP? Describe.
26. What are the exceptions in function module?
27. What is a function group?
28. How are the date abd time field values stored in SAP?
29. What are the fields in a BDC_Tab Table?
30. Name a few data dictionary objects?
31. What happens when a table is activated in DD?
32. What is a check table and what is a value table?
33. What are match codes? Describe?
34. What transactions do you use for data analysis?
35. What is table maintenance generator?
36. What are ranges? What are number ranges?
37. What are select options and what is the diff from parameters?
38. How do you validate the selection criteria of a report? And how do you display initial values in a
selection screen?
39. What are selection texts?
40. What is CTS and what do you know about it?

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41. When a program is created and need to be transported to prodn does selection texts always go
with it? if not how do you make sure? Can you change the CTS entries? How do you do it?
42. What is the client concept in SAP? What is the meaning of client independent?
43. Are programs client dependent?
44. Name a few system global variables you can use in ABAP programs?
45. What are internal tables? How do you get the number of lines in an internal table? How to use a
specific number occurs statement?
46. How do you take care of performance issues in your ABAP programs?
47. What are datasets?
48. How to find the return code of a stmt in ABAP programs?
49. What are interface/conversion programs in SAP?
50. Have you used SAP supplied programs to load master data?

2. Adapted from response by Maram Roja on Tuesday, June 15, 2004

1. What are the techniques involved in using SAP supplied programs? Do you prefer to write your own
programs to load master data? Why?
2. What are logical databases? What are the advantages/disadvantages of logical databases?
3. What specific statements do you using when writing a drill down report?
4. What are different tools to report data in SAP? What all have you used?
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of ABAP query tool?
6. What are the functional areas? User groups? How does ABAP query work in relation to these?
7. Is a logical database a requirement/must to write an ABAP query?
8. What is the structure of a BDC sessions.
9. What are Change header/detail tables? Have you used them?
10. What do you do when the system crashes in the middle of a BDC batch session?
11. What do you do with errors in BDC batch sessions?
12. How do you set up background jobs in SAP? What are the steps? What are the event driven batch
jobs?
13. Is it possible to run host command from SAP environment? How do you run?
14. What kind of financial periods exist in SAP? What is the relevant table for that?
15. Does SAP handle multiple currencies? Multiple languages?
16. What is a currency factoring technique?
17. How do you document ABAP programs? Do you use program documentation menu option?
18. What is SAPscript and layout set?
19. What are the ABAP commands that link to a layout set?
20. What is output determination?

Latest Questions in ABAP Interview Questions

1. Which table contains all the user exit datas?
2. What is table buffer? Which type of tables used this buffer?
3. What is control table ? and what is its purpose?
4. we can see all the scripts and their corresponding print programs in tnapr table,like that where can...
5. How to transfer legacy data into base tables by scheduling a time frame using bdc.
6. what is the use of pretty printer ?exactly where can we link the functional module to abap coding.
7. what is the difference between SAP memory and ABAP memory
8. how to maintain prefix no in tr.code sale
9. what is the difference between Type and Like?
10. what is Tcode SE16. For what is it used. Explain briefly?

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