Frequently Asked SAP BDC Interview Questions

1. What is the syntax for CALL TRANSACTION?

CALL TRANSACTION trans [ using bdctab MODE mode ].

Three possible entries are there for MODE.

A – Show all screens.
E – Show only screens with errors.
N – Show no screens.

2. How do you find the information on the current screen?

The information on the current screen can be found by SYSTEM STATUS command from any menu.

3. What is the last entry in all BDC tables?

In all BDC tables the last entry is to save the data by using the field name BDC_OKCODE and a field value of ‘/11’.

4. How do you populate data into a multiple line field?

To populate data into a multiple line field, an index is added to the field name to indicate which line is to be populated by the BDC session (Line index).

5. Does the CALL TRANSACTION method allow multiple transactions to be processed by SAP?

No. The CALL TRANSACTION method allows only a single transaction to be processed by SAP.

6. What are the steps in a BDC session?

The first step in a BDC session is to identify the screens of the transaction that the program will process. Next step is to write a program to build the BDC table that will be used to submit the data to SAP. The final step is to submit the BDC table to the system in the batch mode or as a single transaction by the CALL TRANSACTION command.

7. How do you save data in BDC tables?

The data in BDC tables is saved by using the field name ‘BDC_OKCODE’ and field value of ‘/11’.

8. What is a multiple line field in BDC?

A multiple line field is a special kind of field which allows the user to enter multiple lines of data into it.

9. Write the BDC table structure?

BDC table structure FIELD TYPE DESCRIPTION Program CHAR (8) Program name of transaction. DynPro CHAR (4) Screen number of transaction. DynBegin CHAR (1) Indicator for new screen. Fnam CHAR (35) Name of database field from screen. Fval CHAR (80) Value to submit to field.

10. What is full form of BDC Session?

Batch Data Communication Session.

11. What should be the approach for writing a BDC program?

1. Analysis the Data.
2. Generate SAP structure.
3. Develop transfer program
4. Create sequential file.
5. Create batch input program.
6. Process batch input data

12. What is the alternative to batch input session?

Call transaction & call dialog

What are the steps in a BDC session ?

The first step in a BDC session is to identify the screens of the transaction that the program will process. Next step is to write a program to build the BDC table that will be used to submit the data to SAP. The final step is to submit the BDC table to the system in the batch mode or as a single transaction by the CALL TRANSACTION command.

13. What are the problems in processing batch input sessions? How is batch input process different from processing on line?

Sessions cannot be run in parallel and not fast.

14. What do you do when the system crashes in the middle of a BDC batch session?

Check no. of records already updated and delete them from input file and run BDC again.

15. What do you do with errors in BDC batch session?

Analysis and correct input file format and entries in internal table BDCDATA.

16. How do you find the transaction number, program number and field names?

Transaction no.,program no. – System -> status
Field names – F1, Technical help

17. What is the process for transferring data from legacy system to SAP?

FTP file transfer, Manufacturer –specific field transfer NFS(network file system)/BDC.

18. Why batch input?

To input a large amount of information at off peak times.

19. Can data be put directly into the database?

No, only after the data has been entered via transaction.

20. Explain at high level, the batch input process?

Batch data is placed into queues called batch input sessions , then placed into the application programs for maintenance into the database.

21. What are the function modules associated with batch input?

BDC_OPEN_GROUP , BDC_CLOSE_GROUP , BDC_INSERT

22. What is the structure of the BDC table?

Program/Dynpro/start/field name/ field content.

23. What are the processing modes for Batch Input?

Process on screen(foreground) , Display errors only and process in the background

24. What are the available OK Codes that can be utilized during batch input processing?

/n – terminates current batch input transaction and marks as incorrect.
/bdel – delete current batch input transaction from session.
/bend – terminate batch input processing and mark session as incorrect.
/bda – change display mode to process the session on screen instead of displaying only errors.
/bde – change display mode to display only errors instead of processing the session on the screen.

25. What is the effect of the BDC_CURSOR field name in the BDC table?

You can set the cursor and enter as a corresponding field value the name of the field on which the cursor is to be positioned .

27. What are the processing modes for Batch Input?

Process on screen(foreground) , Display errors only and process in the background

28. What are the available OK Codes that can be utilized during batch input processing?

/n – terminates current batch input transaction and marks as incorrect.
/bdel – delete current batch input transaction from session.
/bend – terminate batch input processing and mark session as incorrect.
/bda – change display mode to process the session on screen instead of displaying only errors.
/bde – change display mode to display only errors instead of processing the session on the screen.

29. What is the effect of the BDC_CURSOR field name in the BDC table?

You can set the cursor and enter as a corresponding field value the name of the field on which the cursor is to be positioned .

31. Why you choose Call transaction and/or session method?

Call transaction is mainly used when you want to update the database using a single transaction , you can also update the database in asynchronous mode, where as session is used to perform huge database updations using more than one transaction and which will last for a long time.

32. How you trap errors in call Transaction

Errors while updating the database using call transaction technique are trapped using a structure bdcmsgcall, whose field msgtyp become ‘e’ when an error record is encountered. Those records are formatted using format_message function call in the desired format and stored in an internal table for listing of all error records in one shot.

33. Why you choose Call transaction and/or session method?

Call transaction is mainly used when you want to update the database using a single transaction , you can also update the database in asynchronous mode, where as session is used to perform huge database updations using more than one transaction and which will last for a long time.

34. How you trap errors in call Transaction

Errors while updating the database using call transaction technique are trapped using a structure bdcmsgcall, whose field msgtyp become ‘e’ when an error record is encountered. Those records are formatted using format_message function call in the desired format and stored in an internal table for listing of all error records in one shot.

38. What is true about the LSMW: (choose correct option/s)

Part of the SAP system
Processes hierarchical data files (header and position)
Needs a source field for every target field

43. What are the steps in a BDC session ?

The first step in a BDC session is to identify the screens of the transaction that the program will process. Next step is to write a program to build the BDC table that will be used to submit the data to SAP. The final step is to submit the BDC table to the system in the batch mode or as a single transaction by the CALL TRANSACTION command.

44. How do you find the information on the current screen ?

The information on the current screen can be found by System ? Status command from any menu.

45. How do you save data in BDC tables ?

The data in BDC tables is saved by using the field name ‘BDC_OKCODE’ and field value of ‘/11’

46. What is the last entry in all BDC tables ?

In all BDC tables, the last entry is to save the data by using the field name BDC_OKCODE and a field value of ‘/11’.

47. What is a multiple line field ?

A multiple line field is a special kind of field which allows the user to enter multiple lines of data into it.

48. How do you populate data into a multiple line field ?

To populate data into a multiple line field, an index is added to the field name to indicate which line is to be populated by the BDC session (Line index ).

49. Is it possible to use ‘CALL TRANSACTION’ without a BDC table ?

Yes, it is possible to use ‘CALL TRANSACTION’ without a BDC table. In such case, the current program is suspended, the transaction specified is brought up, and a user must enter the data into the screens.

50. What is TCODE ?

TCODE is the transaction code for the transaction that should be used to process the data in the BDC table being inserted.

51. What are the function modules that need to be called from BDC program to submit the transactions for processing ?

– BDC_OPEN_GROUP
– BDC_INSERT
– BDC_CLOSE_GROUP

52. How many sessions will be opened using BDC_OPEN_GROUP ?

Only one session can be created using the BDC_OPEN_GROUP functon.

53. What is ‘BATCH INPUT’ or ‘BDC’ ?

The SAP system offers two primary methods (BDC SESSION METHOD, CALL TRANSACTION METHOD) for transferring data into the system from other systems and Non-SAP systems. These two methods are collectively called as ‘BATCH INPUT’ or ‘Batch Data Communication’ (BDC).

54. What are the advantages in Batch Input ?

The Batch Input ensures Data integrity.
No manual interaction is required during Data transfer.

55. What is the functionality of ‘Classical Batch Input’ ?

In ‘Classical Batch Input’ an ABAP/4 program reads the external data that is to be entered in the SAP system and stores the data in a Batch Input session. This session stores the actions that are required to enter your data using normal SAP transactions.

56. Which Function Modules are used in ‘Classical Batch Input’ ?

BDC_OPEN_GROUP , BDC_INSERT, BDC_CLOSE_GROUP.

57. What is Synchronous Database update ?

During the processing no transaction is stored until the previous transaction has been written to the Database. This is called Synchronous Database update.

58. What are the types of Batch Input ?

Classical Batch Input
Call Transaction
Call Dialog

59. What is BDC_OKCODE ?

The command field is identified by a special name in batch input called BDC_OKCODE. This name is constant and always identifies the command field.

60. What is the use of BDC_INSERT ?

We add a transaction to a Batch Input Session by using this function.

61 Is it possible to use ‘CALL TRANSACTION’ without a BDC table ?

Yes, it is possible to use ‘CALL TRANSACTION’ without a BDC table. In such case, the current program is suspended, the transaction specified is brought up, and a user must enter the data into the screens.

62 What is TCODE ?

TCODE is the transaction code for the transaction that should be used to process the data in the BDC table being inserted.

63 What are the function modules that need to be called from BDC program to submit the transactions for processing ?

– BDC_OPEN_GROUP
– BDC_INSERT
– BDC_CLOSE_GROUP

64 How many sessions will be opened using BDC_OPEN_GROUP ?

Only one session can be created using the BDC_OPEN_GROUP functon.

65 What is ‘BATCH INPUT’ or ‘BDC’ ?

The SAP system offers two primary methods (BDC SESSION METHOD, CALL TRANSACTION METHOD) for transferring data into the system from other systems and Non-SAP systems. These two methods are collectively called as ‘BATCH INPUT’ or ‘Batch Data Communication’ (BDC).

66 What are the advantages in Batch Input ?

The Batch Input ensures Data integrity.
No manual interaction is required during Data transfer.

67 What is the functionality of ‘Classical Batch Input’ ?

In ‘Classical Batch Input’ an ABAP/4 program reads the external data that is to be entered in the SAP system and stores the data in a Batch Input session. This session stores the actions that are required to enter your data using normal SAP transactions.

68 Which Function Modules are used in ‘Classical Batch Input’ ?

BDC_OPEN_GROUP , BDC_INSERT, BDC_CLOSE_GROUP.

69 What is Synchronous Database update ?

During the processing no transaction is stored until the previous transaction has been written to the Database. This is called Synchronous Database update.

70 What are the differences between CALL TRANSACTION and BATCH INPUT SESSION ?

The most important aspects of the batch session interface are:

– Asynchronous processing
– Transfers data for multiple transactions
– Synchronous database update

During processing, no transaction is started until the previous transaction has been written to the database.

– A batch input processing log is generated for each session
– Sessions cannot be generated in parallel

The most important aspects of the CALL TRANSACTION USING interface are:

– Synchronous processing
– Transfers data for a single transaction
– Synchronous and asynchronous database updating both possible

The program specifies which kind of updating is desired.

– Separate LUW for the transaction

The system performs a database commit immediately before and after the CALL TRANSACTION USING statement.
No batch input processing log is generated

71 What are the types of Batch Input ?

Classical Batch Input
Call Transaction
Call Dialog

72 What is BDC_OKCODE ?

The command field is identified by a special name in batch input called BDC_OKCODE. This name is constant and always identifies the command field.

73 How can we execute a function in a BDC session ?

We can execute a function in a transaction by entering the function code or function key number in the command field of an SAP session. A function key number must be prefixed with the / (slash) character. A function code must be prefixed with the = character.

Example:

BDCDATA-FNAM = ‘BDC_OKCODE’
BDCDATA-FVAL = ‘=UPDA’

74 How can we position the cursor on a particular field ?

BDCDATA-FNAM = ‘BDC_CURSOR’
BDCDATA-FVAL =

75 Who are Dialog users and who are Background users ?

Dialog users are normal interactive users in the SAP system. Background users are user master records that are specially defined for providing authorizations for background processing jobs.

76 What is the use of BDC_INSERT ?

We add a transaction to a Batch Input Session by using this function.

77 What are the update modes in CALL TRANSACTION ?

S : Synchronous
A : Asynchrnous
L : Local

78 What does the message parameter indicates ?

The message parameter indicates there all system messages issued during a CALL TRANSACTION are written into the internal table . The internal table must have the structure of BDCMSGCOLL.

79 What is Direct Input ?

To enhance the batch input procedure, the system offers the direct input technique especially for transferring large amount of data. This technique doesn’t create sessions but stores the data directly. The direct input programs must be executed in the back ground only. To maintain and start these programs, use program RBMVSHOW or the transaction BMVO.

80 What are the features of Recording Function ?

recording transaction runs
creating batch input sessions from the recorded transaction runs.
Generating a batch input program from the recorded data.