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In this blog post, I will address some of the challenges that classic ABAP developers typically face when adapting to the SAP HANA Cloud Platform (HCP) environment and dispel the notions you may have that your ABAP skills are not necessary!  True, we do not have ABAP on HCP (current runtime environments are Java, XS (JavaScript), and HTML) but we have the tools that enable the integration to your on-premise backend systems.  Your ABAP skills will still come in handy to make the Web service, RFC, and HTTP calls to HCP.  I collected some tutorials below that will help prepare you if you're preparing for lift-off up to the cloud in HCP.


Setting the Stage (Development Environment)

You're a seasoned ABAP developer.  It's a critical skill for on-premise customization of business processes or extensions. Your skills don't go to waste just because you're moving to HCP. You can even use the ABAP Web service calls to talk with HCP apps in the cloud.

Real-world example scenarios include:

  • HCP can integrate data and business processes across a number of different applications to create one brand new application.  SAP customer Semos, for example, extended the functionality of their SuccessFactors HR application to include a new employee recognition and reward fulfillment program.
  • HCP connects organization to the digital economy by allowing them the ability to integrate all their assets, sensors, emitters, into their enterprise environment.  These connected devices can then be tracked, analyzed and update easily and quickly.
  • HCP can build customize application.  Jaguar Land Rover uses HCP to power a robust e-Commerce site for the sale of Jaguar Land Rover merchandise via out-of-the-box integration into their systems, including SAP ERP, CRM and BI.

As traditional ABAP developers, you're used to the ABAP development workbench (SE80) but you can also use Eclipse with the proper add-on. Eclipse is the one tool you can use to connect to everything at SAP such as ABAP, HANA, and HCP.

Below is a quick summary on which development tools to use while programming on HCP:

  • Eclipse -  JAVA
  • HANA Web-based Development Workbench - XS /JavaScript
  • Web-IDE  - Fiori , SAPUI5,  XS/JavaScript


Programming Languages + Other Skills

ABAP and Java are both object-oriented languages, and as such if you're transitioning to Java, it does not require much effort for classical ABAPers to learn.  ABAPers may also already be familiar with Java because part of SAP Netweaver Web Dynpro is  based in Java.  To refresh your memory, please read the post “Conceptual differences between ABAP and Java”.

As for XS/JavaScript, we recommend ABAP developers read the “Top 10 things ABAP developers should know when learning JavaScript” by Kevin Small.  This is great post to get ABAP developer ready for JavaScript.


HCP Overview

HCP is an open, standard-based and modular platform operating as a service for rapid development of on-demand applications. In essence HCP supports three main scenarios:

  1. Extending existing on-premise solutions
  2. Developing new cloud applications
  3. Extending and integrating cloud applications and platforms


Extending Existing On-Premise Solutions

In this category, we want to connect a customer data center behind a firewall with customer extension in the cloud.  By using the HCP Cloud Connector, a secure SSL VPN connection is configured between HCP and the on premise systems. The protocols supported by the connector are HTTPS, REST, SOAP, ODATA, JCo, and JDBC/ODBC.


Developing New Cloud Applications

To create new cloud applications without integrating with existing on premise solutions you do need to know Java, XS (JavaScript), and HTML5.


Extending and Integrating Cloud Applications and Platforms

With HCP, you can take existing solutions that are currently on the cloud and extend them with any of numerous services offered on HCP.

  • Read the whitepaper on SAP HANA Cloud Platform extension package for SuccessFactors
  • This SuccessFactors document goes through the full implementation of how to use HCP to extend SFSF


Online Training Courses

Finally, if you are interested in more training materials then you can try out the openSAP courses.  The openSAP courses will introduce you to the SAP HANA Cloud Platform and show you how to take advantage of the various services it provides.  The registration, learning content, and the final exam are free of charge. Moreover you will be able to get practical experience of the platform by using a free developer trial account:

From an integration perspective, HCI is the integration service in the cloud. If you have SAP NetWeaver Process Integration (PI) skills it would not be difficult to work in HCI since both share similar concepts.

Yes, we have numerous tutorials in the Cloud world, but ABAP skills are very relevant. On top of your ABAP skills you can learn JavaScript, HTML, and CSS for front-end development or Java, XS, and other skills for extending or creating new applications to be written on HCP – but never forget you have an advantage over all those newbies who haven't first learned the world of ABAP…

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