SQL Trace

The SQL Trace function is an on-demand log of selected SQL statements that are issued against the database through the Open SQL Engine. The SQL Trace can be switched on or off dynamically. The log format is database independent. Besides the SQL statement text, each log record contains information about the point in time when the statement was executed, its duration, its input parameters and results (where applicable) as well as context information.

Features

The SQL Trace is especially useful for:

Development

SQL Trace can help JDO, enterprise beans, servlet and JSP developers to learn which kind of database accesses their code produces.

1. Performance analysis

Typically, performance issues are caused by inefficient database accesses. In this case SQL Trace can be used to show the issued SQL statements and their duration, thus helping to identify inefficient SQL statements.

Activities

Typically, you should use the SQL Trace when you need to check the behavior of a particular application. This is the following scenario:

…

You launch the SQL Trace application.

You activate the SQL Trace.

You run the application that you want to trace.

You deactivate the SQL Trace.

You set filters optionally.

You evaluate the trace.

You can also evaluate a trace that already exists.

The SQL Trace also provides functions for file administration.

SQL Trace is less suitable for detecting general performance issues. Therefore, we do not recommend that you keep it constantly activated, as it consumes additional resources.
Initial Screen
Calling

You can call the initial screen of the test tool using transaction code ST05 or by choosing Test ® Performance Trace in the ABAP Workbench.

Functions

The following functions are available on the initial screen:

Select trace:

· Select the trace mode SQL Trace, Enqueue Trace, RFC Trace, or Table Buffer Trace. You can select mutliple trace modes simultaneously.

Select trace function:

· Start the trace recording.

· Stop the trace recording.

· Branch to trace list, detailed list, or time-sorted list.

· Branch to Explain SQL to analyze an SQL statement without an explicit trace file.

Trace files are managed by the system. Thus they can be saved, like any other object; saved trace files can be displayed and deleted.
Trace Status

A trace can only be activated once on any application server. The Trace Status display informs you whether another user in the system has already activated a particular trace.

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BW - Metadata Modelling

The administration services in SAP BW can be availed through Administration Workbench (AWB). It is a single point of entry for data warehouse development, administration and maintenance tasks in SAP BW with Metadata modeling component, scheduler and monitor as its main components as described in the figure hereunder:

Figure: Metadata Services Architecture

Metadata modeling: Metadata modeling component is the main entry point for defining the core metadata objects used to support reporting and analysis. This includes everything from defining the extraction process and implementing transformations to defining flat or multidimensional objects for storage of information.

Modeling Features

* Metadata modeling provides a Metadata Repository where all the metadata is stored and a Metadata Manager that handles all the requests for retrieving, adding, changing, or deleting metadata.
* Reporting and scheduling mechanism: Reporting and scheduling are the processes required for the smooth functioning of SAP BW. The various batch processes in the SAP BW need to be planned to provide timely results, avoid resource conflicts by running too many jobs at a time and to take care of logical dependencies between different jobs. These processes are controlled in the scheduler component of AWB. This is achieved by either scheduling single processes independently or defining process chains for complex network of jobs required to update the information available in the SAP BW system. Reporting Agent controls execution of queries in a batch mode to print reports, identify exception conditions and notify users and pre compute results for web templates.
* Administering ETL service layer in multi- tier level: SAP’s ETL service layer provides services for data extraction, data transformation and loading of data. It also serves as the staging area for intermediate data storage for quality assurance purposes. The extraction technology of SAP BW is supported by database management systems of mySAP technology and does not allow extraction from other database systems like IBM, IMS and Sybase. It does not support dBase, MS Access and MS Excel file formats. However, it provides all the functionality required for loading data from non- SAP systems as the ETL services layer provide open interfaces for loading non-SAP data.

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Storage Service Layers - SAP Business Warehouse

Understanding the role of storage services layers in architectural model

* Master data manager: Master Data Manager generates the master data infrastructure containing master data tables as well as master data update and the retrieval routines. It also maintains master data and provides access to master data for use by SAP BW reporting components and for exporting to other data warehouse services for analysis and access services.
* ODS Manager: ODS manager generates ODS data object infrastructure. It maintains an active data table for maintaining ODS object data, a change log for every update applied to the ODS object data as part of application process and provides access to ODS object data for SAP BW reporting and analysis functionality.
* Archiving Manager: The Archiving Manager stores unused, dormant data in an archive with the help of Archive Development Kit (ADK). ADK is connected to the SAP BW via Archiving Manager. It also keeps track of relevant metadata such as Infocubes and ODS objects which possibly will change over time.

* InfoCube Manager: It serves the function of generating the InfoCube Meta tables. It maintains InfoCube data tables and provides access to InfoCube data tables for SAP BW reporting and analysis.

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What is SAP IDES and System Requirement for installations?

What is SAP IDES and System Requirement for installations :

System Requirement to install IDES

For installing IDES 46C on a Laptop, you need :-

* Pentium 3/Pentium 4 with any CPU
* 2*40 GB HDD
* 512 MB RAM
* DVD Drive

What is SAP IDES (Internet Demonstration and Evaluation System)?

SAP IDES is a normal R/3 but with lots of DEMO data.

The system that contains several sample companies typifying relevant business processes. It is simple to use and has a variety of master and transaction data, and is used for demos, online/classroom training, and presentations. Potential customers use IDES to trial and test software via Internet.

SAP IDES – the “Internet Demonstration and Evaluation System” in the R/3 System, represents a model company. It consists of an international group with subsidiaries in several countries. IDES contains application data for various business scenarios that can be run in the SAP System. The business processes in the IDES system are designed to reflect real-life business requirements, and have access to many realistic characteristics. IDES uses easy-to-follow business scenarios to show you the comprehensive functions of the R/3 System. The focal point of IDES, however, is not the functionality itself, but the business processes and their integration.

IDES not only covers the Logistics area, but also Financials, and Human Resources. It demonstrates how the R/3 System is able to support practically all types of industries, from discrete production through to process industries, from engineering-to-order to repetitive manufacturing. However, IDES is not a sector-oriented model company. The individual processes are based on practice-oriented data for sectors such as Retailing or Banking. The IDES group manufactures products as diverse as elevators, motorcycles, and paints.

IDES is managed by SAP just as any regular business enterprise. SAP regularly updates the IDES data (master data, transaction data, and customizing). IDES also carry out period-end closing and plan with different time-horizons. Transaction data are generated to ensure that the information systems in all areas have access to realistic evaluation data. IDES are constantly implementing new, interesting business scenarios to highlight the very latest functions available in the R/3 System. New functions are represented and documented by IDES scenarios.

Above all, IDES shows you the possibilities of the integrated applications in the SAP System. IDES cover all aspects of a business enterprise, including Human Resources, Financial Accounting, Product Cost Planning, Overhead Management, Profitability Analysis, Planning, Sales and Distribution, Materials Management, Production, and much, much more. IDES have also integrated document administration and third-party CAD systems within the IDES system. This means that you can call up and display external documents, or access CAD drawings.

IDES shows you how the R/3 System supports production processes, the supply chain, and the efficient usage of global resources. Or perhaps you would like to increase your understanding of just-in-time-production or the integration of the electronic KANBAN system in an MRP II environment? IDES provides the ideal way to learn about areas such as Product Cost Controlling, Activity-Based Costing, or integrated Service Management and Plant Maintenance. How to manage high inflation is just one of the ever-growing number of IDES business scenarios that you can choose from.

Where to find IDES Installation Documents and Screenshots?

I have to install MySAP 2004 (IDES) ECC 5.0 in windows environment, where can I get those installation documents and screenshots.

There is no specific documents for installation of IDES ECC.5.0 but the standard ECC 5.0 Installation document must be followed for this.

Open a new browser and refer to the following link:

http://service.sap.com/erp-inst
and access -> mySAP ERP 2004 -> ECC 5.0 -Planning, Installation Guides.

But the screen shots vary depending on the installation environment i.e, selection of OS, DB, Components, Applications etc.

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SAP ABAP Performance Tuning Tips and Tricks

Need for performance tuningABAP is the universal language in the World of SAP programming and the focus is also on getting a team of efficient programmers as early as possible in each and every part of the project, both for handing over the technical specifications to them and also for asking them to toss out the ABAP programs within the “given deadlines” as well.

The key focus of assembling an efficient program takes a back seat since this force has a greater pressure of schedules along with deliveries to accomplish successful outcomes. Also an proficient ABAP program is one which brings the wanted output to the user in a finite time according to the complexity involved in the program, rather than hearing the comment “I put the program to run, have my lunch and come back to check the results”.

A performance optimized ABAP program saves the time of the end user, thus increasing the productivity of the user, and in turn keeps the user as well as the management happy leaving aside the hyperbole. SAP ABAP performing tuning tips and tricks are used for making the ABAP programs efficient in doing their work. This tuning tips and tricks also assume that the reader is well versed in each and every concepts and syntax of ABAP programming.

SAP Implementation Benefits SAP solutions embrace an extensive range of business domains, such as Financial Accounting Controlling, Asset Management, Project System, Human Resources, Quality Management, Production Planning and Sales and Distribution. We also help for small and mid-size firms that achieve profits and have significant advantages through SAP investment via our expertise in presenting SAP solutions.

Some SAP implementation benefits include:

* Gradual declination in the total cost of ownership
* Accomplishment of faster return on investment
* Imparting flexibility in business processes
* Inspection of entire business processes
* Integration, collaboration, planning, execution, and coordination of the complete supply chain network
* Achievement of consistent as well as apparent business insights
* Develop employee productivity
* Creation of a quality work environment
* Achievement of operational excellence and growth
* Exploitation of additional solutions with ease

Both SAP Implementation and SAP training are worth investing since it takes into account regarding the benefits it offers. Our partnership with leading application vendors permits us to convey competitive SAP advantages to our enterprising customers. Enterprises get in touch for the processing of SAP Consulting and SAP Upgrade solutions. We also offer its consulting, implementation and training services for the upcoming Microsoft Dynamic Business Solutions.

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Email Example UNIX ABAP Code

REPORT ZTUNIXMAIL.
*
DATA : TO_ADDRESS LIKE SY_LISEL,
FROM_ADDRESS LIKE SY-LISEL,
SUBJECT LIKE SY-LISEL,
ATTACHMENT_NAME LIKE SY_LISEL,
DATA_FILE_PATH LIKE SXPGCOLIST-PARAMETERS,
BODY_FILE_PATH LIKE SXPGCOLIST-PARAMETERS.
DATA : BEGIN OF INT_EMAIL_ATTACH OCCURS 0,
TXTLINE CHAR(255),
END OF INT_EMAIL_ATTACH.
DATA : BEGIN OF INT_EMAIL_BODY OCCURS 0,
TXTLINE CHAR(255),
END OF INT_EMAIL_BODY.
CLEAR : INT_EXEC_PROTOCOL,INT_EMAIL_ATTACH,INT_EMAIL_BODY.
REFRESH : INT_EXEC_PROTOCOL,INT_EMAIL_ATTACH,INT_EMAIL_BODY.
*
INT_EMAIL_ATTACH-TXTLINE = ‘Put all attachment text in this table’.
APPEND INT_EMAIL_ATTACH. CLEAR INT_EMAIL_ATTACH.
INT_EMAIL_BODY-TXTLINE = ‘Put all attachment text in this table’.
APPEND INT_EMAIL_BODY. CLEAR INT_EMAIL_BODY.
*
CONCATENATE TO_ADDRESS
FROM_ADDRESS
SUBJECT
BODY_FILE_PATH
DATA_FILE_PATH
ATTACHMENT_NAME
INTO V_PARAMETERS.
*
IF NOT INT_EMAIL_ATTACH[] IS INITIAL.
OPEN DATASET DATA_FILE_PATH FOR OUTPUT IN TEXT MODE.
LOOP AT INT_EMAIL_ATTACH.
TRANSFER INT_EMAIL_ATTACH-TXTLINE TO DATA_FILE_PATH.
ENDLOOP.
CLOSE DATASET DATA_FILE_PATH.
ENDIF.
*
IF NOT INT_EMAIL_BODY[] IS INITIAL.
OPEN DATASET BODY_FILE_PATH FOR OUTPUT IN TEXT MODE.
LOOP AT INT_EMAIL_BODY.
TRANSFER INT_EMAIL_BODY-TXTLINE TO BODY_FILE_PATH.
ENDLOOP.
CLOSE DATASET BODY_FILE_PATH.
ENDIF.
*
CALL FUNCTION ‘SXPG_CALL_SYSTEM’
EXPORTING
COMMANDNAME = ‘Z_EMAIL’ - Command calling unix script
PARAMETERS = V_PARAMETERS
* importing
* status = ”
TABLES
EXEC_PROTOCOL = INT_EXEC_PROTOCOL
EXCEPTIONS
NO_PERMISSION = 1
COMMAND_NOT_FOUND = 2
PARAMETERS_TOO_LONG = 3
SECURITY_RISK = 4
WRONG_CHECK_CALL_INTERFACE = 5
PROGRAM_START_ERROR = 6
PROGRAM_TERMINATION_ERROR = 7
X_ERROR = 8
PARAMETER_EXPECTED = 9
TOO_MANY_PARAMETERS = 10
ILLEGAL_COMMAND = 11
OTHERS = 12.

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SAP-ERP 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 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.
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.

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SAP Web Application Server - Next-Generation Web Application Platform

The Internet has rewritten the list of requirements that today’s corporate technological infrastructures have to meet. Professional business applications crucially need a highly-scalable, reliable infrastructure that supports open internet standards off the shelf. SAP Web Application Server, a part of mySAP Technology, is SAP’s response to these new requirements. SAP Web Application Server offers a stable foundation for Web-centric, mission-critical applications and Web Services. It is more than just a platform for mySAP.com components. The new release 6.20 of SAP Web Application Server offers a fully J2EE compliant environment for quickly developing and deploying dynamic, collaborative Web applications and Web services. SAP’s decade of experience in application servers complements the J2EE standard with features that are mandatory in a mission-critical business application environment and thus provides the most reliable and proven Web Application Server today. With SAP Web Application Server professional platform-independent business solutions, leveraging J2EE are a reality.

SAP Web Application Server is the underlying technology for all mySAP.com components (such as mySAP Customer Relationship Management, mySAP Business Intelligence, and the forthcoming SAP R/3 Enter...

Enterprise). It also offers a wide range of services that enable extensive, global e-business solutions, including a development environment, software logistics, security, and connectivity. Building on the scalable and reliable SAP application server, SAP Web Application Server delivers innovative, native Web technologies, a J2EE and ABAP environment for architecting applications, and Web services for business-to-business collaboration.

J2EE and ABAP in a Common Environment
J2EE and Java are generally accepted as the standard Web programming technologies, and there is no shortage of related expertise. Naturally, companies want to tap into this expertise and use it to build their own e-business applications. SAP Web Application Server has both an ABAP and a J2EE personality, supporting both programming environments in a common, integrated infrastructure. That way, you not only protect the investments that you have already made in ABAP applications and expertise, but you can also channel the latest J2EE proficiency into future applications. For users and applications, the integration is completely transparent, delivering a proven e-business environment with native Java support for easy deployment, straightforward installation and administration, coupled with full life-cycle support for Java-based e-business components. All existing business objects and interfaces can be used with both the J2EE and the ABAP environment, and new applications will be built leveraging both environments. Now, the large base of existing Java developers and J2EE software can be exploited easily. Using this approach gives developers a single infrastructure that leverages the advantages of both environments. This not only simplifies your IT infrastructure, it also slices a considerable chunk off your operating costs. It provides companies with the choice and flexibility to extend their solutions according to their available development skills and technical constraints while supporting all existing SAP applications.

Provision of Web Services
The SAP Web Application Server is the underlying infrastructure for applications that offer Web services to users and other applications either directly or through the portal and exchange infrastructure. Web services provided through the SAP Web Application Server adhere to a common set of open technical Internet standards that enable cooperation and interoperability across different technical platforms. A professional programming model with a development and runtime environment for building top notch user-centric Web services ensure intuitive point-and-click and state-of-the-art Web-based user interfaces. User-centric Web services clearly separate layout (HTML) from data (XML), and thus provide automatic support of multiple languages, personalization, and interface customization help to speed up user-interface development. Application-centric Web services fully leverages open standards like HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Extensible Markup Language (XML), Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), Web Services Description Language (WSDL), and Universal Discovery, Description, and Integration (UDDI) providing customers with the opportunity to drive innovative, easy to change business processes without the constraints of a proprietary infrastructure.

Conclusion
With the SAP Web Application Server, SAP brings the benefits of their proven infrastructure - reliability, scalability, software logistics, change management, platform independence, and business knowledge - to the J2EE world. That way, you not only protect the investments that you have already made in ABAP applications and expertise, but you can also channel the latest J2EE proficiency into your applications. SAP Web Application Server supports all the operating systems, and databases supported by SAP, freeing customers from technological constraints and giving them the power to build the infrastructure that best fits existing environment and individual needs. SAP Web Application Server 6.20 will be available in the second quarter 2002 and be an integral part of the mySAP.com e-business platform and any upcoming mySAP.com solution.

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