If you are an experienced ABAP developer and want to benefit from component-based UI development using Web Dynpro ABAP, this book is exactly what you need to get started. With many examples designed to facilitate understanding, it covers topics such as the architecture of Web Dynpro, the most important UI elements, and standard components. Each chapter is structured such that you learn about the basic concepts first, and then apply these concepts via practical exercises accompanied by screenshots and sample code. Traditional topics such as using components, views, controllers, and contexts are discussed, as are the use of tables, value helps, and multi-component frameworks. In addition, useful functions such as context menus, input help, the Web Dynpro Debugger, and hotkeys, as well as the use of the Enhancement Framework, are covered.

Architecture
Become familiar with the basic architecture of Web Dynpro UIs, including the advantages and disadvantages they provide.

Applications
Learn about the development and usage of Web Dynpro applications, and how to program applications dynamically.

Standard Components
Explore the most frequently used Web Dynpro components, such as extended tables and POWER lists.

Input Help
Gain an understanding of input help, which is crucially important for reducing incorrect entries made by users.

Configuration, Customization, and Personalization
Find out how to customize applications and components without changing the implementation.

Highlights

• Web Dynpro architecture
• Developing Web Dynpro applications
• Dynamic Web Dynpro applications
• Standard Web Dynpro components
• Input and semantic help
• Configuration, customization, and personalization
• Practical tips and hints
• Web Dynpro in the Enhancement Framework

About the Author(s)

Dominik Ofenloch started his career as a developer of user interfaces in the SCM/Transportation Management area at SAP AG, and now works at ENERGY4U in the SAP Utilities area as a consultant and developer. Dr. Roland Schwaiger is a freelance consultant and trainer who specializes in SAP software development. Both authors have many years of experience in Web Dynpro development.

Table of Contents

... Preface ... 13

1 ... Introduction ... 19
1.1 ... Model View Controller ... 20
1.1.1 ... Model ... 21
1.1.2 ... View ... 22
1.1.3 ... Controller ... 22
1.1.4 ... MVC Interaction Example ... 22
1.2 ... Evolution of SAP User Interfaces ... 23
1.2.1 ... Console ... 24
1.2.2 ... Dynpros ... 25
1.2.3 ... Business Server Pages ... 27
1.2.4 ... Web Dynpro ... 30
1.3 ... Summary ... 31

2 ... Web Dynpro Architecture ... 33
2.1 ... Components and Applications ... 34
2.1.1 ... Example: Library ... 35
2.1.2 ... Web Dynpro Explorer ... 36
2.2 ... View ... 40
2.2.1 ... Views ... 40
2.2.2 ... Windows and Plugs ... 49
2.3 ... Controllers ... 64
2.3.1 ... Hook Methods’ Flow Sequence ... 69
2.3.2 ... Usage and Visibility of Controllers ... 73
2.3.3 ... Actions and Events ... 77
2.3.4 ... Assistance Class ... 80
2.4 ... Context ... 81
2.4.1 ... Structure of a Context ... 82
2.4.2 ... Data Binding ... 85
2.4.3 ... Mapping ... 95
2.4.4 ... Supply Functions ... 99
2.4.5 ... Controlling the Visibility of UI Elements via the Context ... 101
2.5 ... Summary ... 102

3 ... Developing Web Dynpro Applications ... 103
3.1 ... Context Programming ... 104
3.1.1 ... Changing Attribute Values of an Element ... 110
3.1.2 ... Reading Attribute Values of One or More Elements ... 117
3.1.3 ... Creating Context Elements ... 123
3.1.4 ... Removing Context Elements ... 137
3.2 ... Layouts and Containers ... 138
3.2.1 ... Containers ... 139
3.2.2 ... Layouts ... 141
3.2.3 ... Example ... 152
3.3 ... Using Important View Elements ... 153
3.3.1 ... TextView ... 155
3.3.2 ... InputField and Label ... 157
3.3.3 ... Button ... 161
3.3.4 ... TabStrip ... 166
3.3.5 ... Tree ... 171
3.3.6 ... Table ... 184
3.3.7 ... FileUp/Download ... 200
3.4 ... Messages and Internationalization ... 208
3.4.1 ... Texts from the ABAP Dictionary ... 209
3.4.2 ... Texts from the Online Text Repository ... 210
3.4.3 ... Texts from the Assistance Class ... 213
3.4.4 ... Messages ... 217
3.5 ... Summary ... 236

4 ... Dynamic Web Dynpro Applications ... 239
4.1 ... Advantages and Disadvantages of Dynamic Programming ... 241
4.2 ... Types of Dynamic Changes ... 242
4.3 ... Adjusting Context at Runtime ... 243
4.3.1 ... Determining a Description Object (Meta Information) for a Context Node ... 246
4.3.2 ... Creating and Adding Context Nodes ... 247
4.3.3 ... Creating and Adding Context Attributes Individually ... 251
4.3.4 ... Creating and Adding Context Attributes in Bundles ... 253
4.3.5 ... Other Methods for Dynamic Context Manipulation ... 255
4.3.6 ... Conclusion ... 259
4.4 ... Adjusting the User Interface at Runtime ... 260
4.4.1 ... Adding a View Element to a Container ... 261
4.4.2 ... Assigning Actions to View Element Events ... 274
4.4.3 ... Conclusion ... 277
4.5 ... Summary ... 277

5 ... Web Dynpro Standard Components ... 279
5.1 ... Multi-Component Architectures ... 280
5.1.1 ... Component Usages ... 281
5.1.2 ... Cross-Component Mapping ... 293
5.1.3 ... Component Interfaces ... 300
5.2 ... SAP List Viewer ... 301
5.2.1 ... Integrating ALV ... 303
5.2.2 ... ALV Configuration Model ... 305
5.2.3 ... Methods and Events of the Interface Controller ... 308
5.2.4 ... Changes to the Column Set ... 312
5.2.5 ... Changing the Toolbar ... 316
5.3 ... POWER List ... 318
5.3.1 ... Example: Defining Custom Queries ... 318
5.3.2 ... Additional Information ... 322
5.4 ... Summary ... 322

6 ... Input Help and Semantic Help ... 323
6.1 ... Implementing Selection Options ... 324
6.1.1 ... DropDown ... 325
6.1.2 ... RadioButton ... 330
6.1.3 ... CheckBox ... 333
6.1.4 ... CheckBoxGroup ... 334
6.1.5 ... ItemListBox ... 335
6.1.6 ... TriStateCheckBox ... 337
6.2 ... Input Help ... 338
6.2.1 ... Input Help Mode: Deactivated ... 340
6.2.2 ... Input Help Mode: Automatic ... 340
6.2.3 ... Dictionary Search Help ... 344
6.2.4 ... Object Value Selector ... 344
6.2.5 ... Input Help Mode: Freely Programmed ... 357
6.3 ... SELECT-OPTIONS ... 357
6.4 ... Semantic Help ... 363
6.4.1 ... Help Texts with Tooltips ... 364
6.4.2 ... Explanation Texts ... 364
6.4.3 ... ABAP Dictionary Help ... 366
6.4.4 ... Explanations ... 367
6.4.5 ... Knowledge Warehouse Documents ... 370
6.5 ... Summary ... 375

7 ... Configuration, Customizing, and Personalization ... 377
7.1 ... Configuration ... 379
7.1.1 ... Implicit Configuration ... 380
7.1.2 ... Explicit Configuration ... 386
7.2 ... Personalization and Customizing ... 390
7.3 ... URL Parameters and Application Parameters ... 393
7.3.1 ... URL Parameters ... 393
7.3.2 ... Application Parameters ... 394
7.4 ... Summary ... 394

8 ... Practical Tips and Hints ... 397
8.1 ... Performance and Memory Optimization ... 398
8.1.1 ... Optimal System Configuration ... 400
8.1.2 ... Checklists for Developing High-Performing Web Dynpro Applications ... 403
8.1.3 ... Performance Tools ... 405
8.1.4 ... On-Demand Instancing of Views and Components ... 411
8.1.5 ... Delta Rendering ... 416
8.2 ... Debugging Web Dynpro Applications ... 422
8.3 ... Popup Windows ... 426
8.3.1 ... Creating Popup Windows ... 427
8.3.2 ... Standard Button Actions ... 431
8.4 ... Context Change Log ... 433
8.5 ... Hotkeys ... 435
8.6 ... Context Menus ... 437
8.6.1 ... Standard Context Menu ... 438
8.6.2 ... Developing Custom Context Menus ... 440
8.7 ... Summary ... 444

9 ... Web Dynpro in the Enhancement Framework ... 447
9.1 ... Enhancements in Web Dynpro ... 448
9.1.1 ... Web Dynpro Enhancements in Detail ... 450
9.1.2 ... Exercise: Additional Search Field ... 453
9.2 ... Summary ... 456

A ... Appendix ... 457
A.1 ... Recommended Reading ... 457
A.2 ... Naming Conventions ... 458

B ... The Authors ... 461
... Index ... 463