This article probably isn't required, as most of us here are already ABAP developers, but, I thought it would be good experience to share my thoughts what it actually felt like to switch to ABAP.
Unlike Java or C++ , ABAP isn't a language for development of applications on Windows or any other operating system for that matter. The purpose it actually serves is to cater to the needs of Industries who are using SAP. So the major difference between working ABAP and Java/C++ is you have to utilize most of your talents to study the functions already provided by SAP team, as generally it optimizes the program whereas it generally is vice-versa on other language as it increases dependency on Platform.
ABAP can be considered a more specific language in terms of application. By this I mean that while in other languages you have freedom to present end result of your program but in ABAP you have to optimally utilize SAP GUI to present results.
When working on Java I was really sick of long syntax's . To be honest it really felt more like article writing rather than coding(and by now u might have figured out how good I'm in article writing ). I would clearly like to state here I am not judging the capabilities of any programming language, it's just my perspective on things. When I switched from Java to ABAP , firstly I thought why do companies even require ABAP coders at first place(though I clearly understand now 'why').
The simplicity it offered at the beginning made me feel like as if they had designed a function for each and everything you wanted to do, thus rendering you useless again.
So it can be concluded that if you are good in any other Programming language , don't get scared to switch to ABAP. It simply is the simplest language you can find. So far, while working on ABAP , I felt like as if ABAP was designed to comfort the Developers (I really mean that :wink: ). Coding on ABAP really is a piece of cake(some may disagree). You just have to understand the business scenarios a bit better than your fellow counterparts working on other technologies.
I am really glad that I made the switch to ABAP when I had chance :smile: .
