What to learn as ABAP Developer?
If You think programming only in ABAP is enough — You are really, really wrong…
First: SAP Development environment changing really quickly
ABAP stack is much wider than a few years ago, and even as developer You need a lot more of technical knowledge.
ABAP is changing (new version (7.4–7.52), the cloud environment for ABAP). There are also set of important tools and frameworks like BRF+, BOPF, CDS views, Hana procedures, Floorplan Manager, SAP Fiori, SAPUI5… HANA, SAP Leondardo… AI, Blockchain.. and this list still raise.
Those are technologies which we will use in nearby future!
Second: Other technologies just booming.
Languages, frameworks, libraries and other stuff is changing every day, and it is impossible to even to read small news about all that things. But, we should care about our improvement, look forward to future and choose wisely, what we want to learn.
This list is only my proposition what currently ABAP Developer should learn to become better and more useful.
Master of ABAP
You are ABAP developer so part of Your learning time You should still invest in learning ABAP, and tools related to SAP Environment.
- new ABAP — changes introduced in ABAP ≥ 7.4
- ABAP on Eclipse
- ABAP Unit Testing
- oData
- BRF+
- BOPF
- Floorplan Manager (ABAP Web Dyn Pro)
- CDS Views
- HANA Procedures
SAPUI5 — JavaScript
Sooner or later some projects of SAP Fiori or SAPUI5 will appear in Your path carrier. JavaScript is not ABAP, and switching to different language can take a little bit of time. Also, SAPUI5 projects required more awareness of efficiency and design thinking. You should be a step forward and know JS already!
You could learn SAPUI5 stack:
- JavaScript
- jQuery
- SAPUI5 / OpenUI5
- Jasmine / qUnit / OPA5
- Nightwatch
But I recommend additionally try something modern like for example:
- JavaScript E6 / TypeScript
- NodeJS
- ReactJS + Redux
- Vue.js
or any trending JS framework You like! :) Just try it! Do simplest examples, have fun!
Mobile Apps
Building apps for mobile devices are not a common task for ABAP Developer. But — it happens. When SAP pushing forward with SAP Fiori, there is a chance that more customers will look forward into mobile. I am not really experienced here, but there are really nice options like:
- SAP Fiori for iOS (SWIFT)
- React Native (JavaScript)
- Flutter (DART)
In last time I am having fun with Flutter and it looks amazing. Maybe it isn’t related to SAP environment, but using one code to build apps for Android and iOS is the proficient and inexpensive way for developing the business solution.
I want to try to write example app in Flutter, showing possible ways to integrate mobile app, with SAP systems.
If You interested — let me know :)
I hope those list will help You to develop yourself, and become the better developer in future.
