Working with Business Objects in SAP

Business Object type contains methods, attributes and events which give a component based
view of any Business Process.

For example we have a Purchase Order business process. This process includes various small
functionalities. It will have process of changing Purchase orders based upon requirements,
functionality to retrieve the details of purchase order etc. Each of these functionalities is
encapsulated inside a method. The method can call the function modules present in R3 system or
can have there own code to execute some functionality. So if we consider Purchase Order as a
Business Object then it will be identified by key field Purchase Order number. Each purchase
order business object based upon key field purchase order number is different. It’s so because
each purchase order is different and will contain different details.

So the methods contain business functionality. Attributes are just like properties of the Business
object. For example for any purchase order Purchasing Group, Purchasing Organization etc are
attributes.

Technically we can say that business object types are just like any template. At runtime we
instantiate or create runtime objects for any BO (Business Object) type based upon the key fields
we pass. Two runtime Business objects of same BO type are different from each other based
upon the key fields we pass. So the key field is the differentiating factor for two or more runtime
business objects of same BO type.

To Browse for BO open tcode SWO2 (Path -> Tools ->ABAP Workbench->Overview-
>Business Object Browser).
You can expand the nodes and can check various business objects in BOR. You can double click
on the BO node and it will take you to BO display (SWO1).

1 Working with Business Object in our programs

For creating a Business Object and its attributes there are many already existing tutorials. So in
this tutorial we will not discuss creation of BO and its attributes.

1.1 To create instance of a BO

To create an instance of BO we need to have the key fields of that BO. Key fields will be used to
uniquely identify the BO. We can use the FM 'SWO_CREATE' to create an instance of BO in
any report program.

DATA:
i_objtype TYPE swo_objtyp,
i_objkey TYPE swo_typeid,
object TYPE swo_objhnd.
i_objtype = <Business Object>
i_objkey = <BO key>
CALL FUNCTION 'SWO_CREATE'
EXPORTING
 objtype = i_objtype
objkey = i_objkey
IMPORTING
object = object.

The variable ‘object’ will hold runtime instance of the object type.

The other way is to use the macros defined in include <cntn01>

INCLUDE <cntn01>.
DATA:
i_objtype TYPE swo_objtyp,
i_objkey TYPE swo_typeid,
object TYPE swc_object.
*Create instance of Object type
swc_create_object object i_objtype i_objkey.

Internally the macro calls the FM SWO_CREATE. So you can either go for direct FM call or
the macro call.

1.2 Container

Basically the term Container is used with reference to Business Objects and Workflows. The
Container actually holds import and export parameters associated with any method of Business
Object at runtime. When ever we are calling any method of Business Object we need to populate
container for import parameters and after the method gets executed it returns the values (export
parameters) in Container.

Business Object container is technically of type SWCONT structure.

Here ‘ELEMENT’ will be name of the variable/internal table which container holds and
‘VALUE’ will have corresponding value. For multi line variable or internal tables, the container
will hold multiple values with same element name.
1.2.1 Lets take an example to check what Container is

For example let’s create a Business Object ‘ZSWE1’ with only one method ‘READ’. We will
discuss the creation of BO in very brief.

Key field will be Purchase Order number (EKKO_EBELN) for BO.

Method READ will take Purchase Order number as input and will give all the Purchase Line
items in it in an internal table.

Step 1 : Create BO ZSWE1 for test purpose. You can give it any name.

Step 2 : Now create a method READ

Save the method. Now we will create the parameters of the method.

Import Parameters PurchaseDocument EKKO-EBELN

Export Parameter ITEM EKKO-EBELP (multi line)

PurchasingDocument will be a import parameter of type EKKO_EBELN.

ITEM will be a export parameter of type EKKO_EBELP and will be a multi line
variable(internal table )
Save the method and then Click on the Program button to implement the method. In the method
just read all ebeln (Purchase line items) corresponding to PO number into internal table ITEM
and pass it on to container in the method. Check the snapshot below.
Check the whole code of the BO program here.

***** Implementation of object type ZSWE1 *****

INCLUDE <OBJECT>.
BEGIN_DATA OBJECT. " Do not change.. DATA is generated
* only private members may be inserted into structure private
DATA:
" begin of private,
" to declare private attributes remove comments and
" insert private attributes here ...
" end of private,
BEGIN OF KEY,
PURCHASINGDOCUMENT LIKE EKKO-EBELN,
END OF KEY.
END_DATA OBJECT. " Do not change.. DATA is generated
BEGIN_METHOD READ CHANGING CONTAINER.
DATA:
PURCHASINGDOCUMENT TYPE EKKO-EBELN,
ITEM TYPE EKPO-EBELP OCCURS 0.
SWC_GET_ELEMENT CONTAINER 'PurchasingDocument' PURCHASINGDOCUMENT.
select ebelp into table item from ekpo
where ebeln = PURCHASINGDOCUMENT.
SWC_SET_TABLE CONTAINER 'Item' ITEM.
END_METHOD.

Step 1 : Save the changes and make the status of the BO to implemented for testing purpose.
Also generate the BO.
Step 2 : Now let’s test the BO. For this put a break point in the method READ at the select
query. Also take any PO number which will have multiple line items. You can check EKKO and
EKPO tables. In my case I am taking PO ‘4200000017’. In my R3 system this particular PO
contains 4 line items in EKPO table. Let’s put a break point and check the method.

Step 3 : Execute the BO with key ‘4200000017’

Execute the method with import parameter as ‘420000017’

It will take you to debugging mode. Now check the container.

In debug mode before the select statement the CONTAINER will hold only import variable

Now execute the last statement in the method and see the contents of CONTAINER (just before
exiting the method.
So we have seen how the CONTAINER holds values while we are working with Business
Objects at runtime.

1.2.2 Some common macros defined in include <CNTN01> for working with Containers

Functionality Macro
To write a single line variable in Container SWC_SET_ELEMENT
To read a single line variable from Container SWC_GET_ELEMENT
To write a multi line variable or internal table in Container SWC_SET_TABLE
To read a multi line variable or internal table from Container SWC_GET_TABLE
To clear the container SWC_CLEAR_CONTAINER

Further you can check the include <CNTN01> for more macros. Also check the macros. These
macros call some specific function modules that you can use directly in your code.

1.3 Calling a BO Method/Attribute in report programs

We can create a instance of BO method using FM 'SWO_CREATE' or macro

‘SWC_CREATE_OBJECT’.

First of all lets consider a BO 'BUS1001006' (StandardMaterial). We will call the method
‘DISPLAY’. For this we will instantiate the BO with key ‘ZSHUKSWE20’( material number).

To call a method or attribute of any BO we can use the FM 'SWO_INVOKE'. We have to take
care while we call this FM. Suppose if we want to call an attribute defined in the method, then
we need to populate the import parameter ACCESS with ‘G’. If we need to call the method of
the BO then we need to populate the import parameter ACCESS with ‘C’.

Lets create a report program and check step by step. We will fetch details of attribute
“MATERIALTYPE” of BO 'BUS1001006'

*&---------------------------------------------------------------------*
*& Report ZSWET_BO1
*&
*&---------------------------------------------------------------------*
*& To get attributes of BO instance in report
*&
*&---------------------------------------------------------------------*
REPORT zswet_bo1.
PARAMETERS: p_busobj(10) TYPE c DEFAULT 'BUS1001006',
p_key(70) TYPE c DEFAULT 'ZSHUKSWE20' ,
p_attr(32) TYPE c DEFAULT 'MATERIALTYPE',
p_access TYPE c DEFAULT 'G'. "To call method put 'C'
DATA:
i_objtype TYPE swo_objtyp,
i_objkey TYPE swo_typeid,
i_element TYPE swo_verb.
DATA object TYPE swo_objhnd.
DATA verb TYPE swo_verb.
DATA return TYPE swotreturn.
DATA lt_container TYPE STANDARD TABLE OF swcont.
DATA line TYPE swcont.
i_objtype = p_busobj.
i_element = p_attr.
i_objkey = p_key.
* Instantiate the business object. i.e give it a key and create it.
CALL FUNCTION 'SWO_CREATE'
EXPORTING
objtype = i_objtype
objkey = i_objkey
IMPORTING
object = object.
* Return attribute.
CALL FUNCTION 'SWO_INVOKE'
EXPORTING
access = p_access
object = object
verb = i_element
IMPORTING
return = return
verb = verb
TABLES
container = lt_container.
* The attribute value is in the container returned from FM.
IF return-code = 0.
LOOP AT lt_container INTO line.
WRITE: / 'Attribute MATERIAL TYPE is : ',
line-value.
ENDLOOP.
ENDIF.
Lets execute the report and see the output:

Now lets see how to call a method of BO. The Method DISPLAY will display the material
passed in BO container.

*&---------------------------------------------------------------*
*& Report ZSWET_BO1
*&
*&---------------------------------------------------------------*
*& To call method with import parameters
*&
*&---------------------------------------------------------------*
REPORT zswet_bo1.
* Get an attribute of a business object.
PARAMETERS: p_busobj(10) TYPE c DEFAULT 'BUS1001006',
p_key(70) TYPE c DEFAULT 'ZSHUKSWE20' ,
p_attr(32) TYPE c DEFAULT 'DISPLAY',
p_access TYPE c DEFAULT 'C'. "To call method put 'C'
DATA:
i_objtype TYPE swo_objtyp,
i_objkey TYPE swo_typeid,
i_element TYPE swo_verb.
DATA object TYPE swo_objhnd.
DATA verb TYPE swo_verb.
DATA return TYPE swotreturn.
DATA lt_container TYPE STANDARD TABLE OF swcont.
i_objtype = p_busobj.
i_element = p_attr.
i_objkey = p_key.
*To call the method we need to populate the Container of the
*BO with importing parameters
CALL FUNCTION 'SWC_ELEMENT_SET'
EXPORTING
element = 'MATERIAL'
field = p_key(18) "Material Number
TABLES
container = lt_container
EXCEPTIONS
OTHERS = 1.
*Instantiate the business object. I.e give it a key and create it.
CALL FUNCTION 'SWO_CREATE'
EXPORTING
objtype = i_objtype
 objkey = i_objkey
IMPORTING
object = object.
* To call the Method of the BO.
CALL FUNCTION 'SWO_INVOKE'
EXPORTING
access = p_access
object = object
verb = i_element
IMPORTING
return = return
verb = verb
TABLES
container = lt_container.

The Output will be:-

Lets see an example below on How to Call the methods using the macros defined in include
<CNTN01>.

*&----------------------------------------------------------------*
*& Report ZSWET_BO1
*&
*&----------------------------------------------------------------*
*& Using macros defined in CNTN01 include. To call method of BO
*& For reference check FM DNO_DB_APPENDIX_INSERT
*&----------------------------------------------------------------*
REPORT zswet_bo1.
INCLUDE <cntn01>.
* Get an attribute of a business object.
PARAMETERS: p_busobj(10) TYPE c DEFAULT 'BUS1001006',
p_key(70) TYPE c DEFAULT 'ZSHUKSWE20',
p_attr(32) TYPE c DEFAULT 'DISPLAY',
p_access TYPE c DEFAULT 'C'. "To call method put 'C'
DATA:
i_objtype TYPE swo_objtyp,
i_objkey TYPE swo_typeid,
i_element TYPE swo_verb.
DATA: gv_mat TYPE swc_object.
i_objtype = p_busobj.
i_element = p_attr.
i_objkey = p_key.
*Define container
swc_container container.
*Create instance of Object type
swc_create_object gv_mat i_objtype i_objkey.
**gv_mat will contain instance of the BO
*To clear a continer
swc_clear_container container.
*Now to call a method fill up container with import parameters for method
swc_set_element container 'MATERIAL' p_key(18). "'MATERIAL' ->import
parameter
*For container of type table use swc_set_table.
***If any more import parameter are there for the object then populate them
***also using swc_set_element and swc_set_table
*In this case no more import parameters
*To call a method stored in p_attr
swc_call_method gv_mat p_attr container.
*If there are any export parameter, then CONTAINER will have the values
*and we can read from container

The Output will be:-

1.4 To trigger an Event of BO

We can use the FM ‘SWE_EVENT_CREATE’ to raise an event in any report program. An

explicit commit work is required after the FM call to trigger the event, other wise event will not
be raised.

*&---------------------------------------------------------------*
*& Report ZSWET_BO1
*&
*&---------------------------------------------------------------*
REPORT zswet_bo1.
INCLUDE <cntn01>.
* Get an attribute of a business object.
PARAMETERS: p_busobj(10) TYPE c DEFAULT 'BUS1001006',
p_key(70) TYPE c DEFAULT 'ZSHUKSWE20'.
DATA:
i_objtype TYPE swo_objtyp,
i_objkey TYPE swo_typeid.
i_objtype = p_busobj.
i_objkey = p_key.
*Define container
swc_container container.
*To clear a continer
swc_clear_container container.
*You can populate the Container if required
*To generate event
CALL FUNCTION 'SWE_EVENT_CREATE'
 EXPORTING
objtype = i_objtype
objkey = i_objkey
event = 'CREATED'
TABLES
event_container = container
EXCEPTIONS
objtype_not_found = 1
OTHERS = 2.
IF sy-subrc <> 0.
" MESSAGE ID SY-MSGID TYPE SY-MSGTY NUMBER SY-MSGNO
" WITH SY-MSGV1 SY-MSGV2 SY-MSGV3 SY-MSGV4
" RAISING OBJTYPE_NOT_FOUND.
ENDIF.
COMMIT WORK.

Just triggering an event does not makes any sense until and unless a proper event receiver id is linked to
the event. This event receiver can be a FM or can be any workflow. Event linkage can be done in SWE2
or SWETYPV transactions.