on Aug 14, 2007 12:00 AM, last modified by Efficiently Managing Software Change Management in SAP NetWeaver
Efficiently Managing Software and System States
Software Change Management (SCM) is a methodology to control and manage software development projects and the state of any system where the software is run during testing or productive use.
Getting Started with Software Change Management
In an SAP system you will find two types of technology, represented by the two usage types of SAP NetWeaver Application Server Java and Application Server ABAP. In both you will find comprehensive Software Change Management capabilities.
Change and Transport System (CTS) (SAP NetWeaver AS ABAP) helps you to organize development projects in ABAP Workbench and in Customizing, and then transport the changes between the SAP systems in your system landscape. With the recent state of SAP NetWeaver 7.0 you can also transport Java objects (J2EE, JEE) and SAP-specific non-ABAP technologies (such as Web Dynpro Java or SAP NetWeaver Portal) as well as ABAP objects in your landscape.
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The services for Java-based development are delievered in two different ways:
- SAP NetWeaver Development Infrastructure (NWDI) is delivered as usage type DI of the SAP NetWeaver and run on SAP NetWeaver AS Java. It provides a comprehensive approach developing Java-based applications on SAP NetWeaver and is used for versioning, build and administration of the whole life-cycle management of Java-based applications. The conceptual basis to benefit from these functions is the development of components according to SAP's component model, which apart from a better structure of applications and a more convenient build process offers several new Eclipse project types or enhanced funtions for existing types. Working with the NWDI for developers is seamlessly integrated into the SAP NetWeaver Developer Studio. It begins with a download of a preconfigured development landscape, which guarantees consitent access for all team members to central sources, archives and systems.
In a latest update of its capabilities, beginning with SAP NetWeaver 7.0 SPS 12 the NWDI is increasingly integrated with the CTS. - In a low-comsumption approach, enhancements to the SAP NetWeaver Developer Studio allow development in the SAP eco-system without any server installation. This includes the configuration the Developer Studio for the development scope, development according to SAP's component model, and delivery of all components of an applications as software components, which can be conveniently shipped to and installed at any customer running the SAP NetWeaver platform. You will find more on this topic in the NWDI Resources, section "DI Services in an SAP NetWeaver CE 7.1 Environment".
More on Software Change Management
Both parts of SAP's approach to Software Change Management are documented in detail in the SAP Help Portal (shown here for SAP NetWeaver 7.0).
Change and Transport System (in SAP Help Portal)
SAP NetWeaver Development Infrastructure (in SAP Help Portal)
Now, both approaches are moving much closer together. With its recent enhancements in SAP NetWeaver 7.0 the CTS is now capable of transporting non-ABAP objects also. Read more on this topic in Enhancements of the Change and Transport System - Implications on Transports in a Heterogeneous SAP System Landscape.