With growing interest in the development of low cost development solutions in a corporate environment, PHP is becoming more and more popular. However, the biggest problem for most SAP developers is the need for quick information to help them hit the ground running. This SAP PRESS Essentials guide provides readers with a comprehensive assessment of what is really needed to work with PHP, as well as how the SAP and PHP systems work together. After a short introduction to PHP and its capability characteristics, the SAPRFC extension module for PHP 4 and PHP 5 is explained in detail. Working with a sample application, you will learn how the two systems communicate with one another, and how best to use PHP for your own SAP-related development projects.

Table of Contents

Preface ... 3

1. Introduction to PHP ... 5
... 1.1 The History ... 5
... 1.2 Why PHP? ... 6
... 1.3 How PHP Works ... 6
... 1.4 The Basics of Getting Started ... 8

2. SAPRFC and Environment ... 9
... 2.1 A Merging of Technologies ... 9
... 2.2 The Environment ... 10
... 2.3 Setting Up and Installing the Environment ... 10
       ... HTTP Server ... 10
       ... Installing PHP ... 11
       ... Manual Configuration of HTTP Server ... 13
... 2.4 The First PHP webpage ... 15
... 2.5 SAPRFC ... 16

3. Connecting PHP to SAP ... 19
... Using the Classes ... 20
... Making the Connection ... 20
... Calling the Function ... 21
... Reading the Result ... 22
... Logging Off ... 23

4. Example Application ... 25
... 4.1 The Problem ... 25
... 4.2 The Background ... 27
... 4.3 The System ... 27

5. Foundation and Connection ... 29
... 5.1 HTML and JavaScript ... 29
... 5.2 CSS ... 32
... 5.3 PHP ... 33

6. Beta Testing and Enhancements ... 47
... 6.1 Dynamic Login ... 47
       ... Cookies ... 47
       ... Sessions ... 48
... 6.2 Action Log ... 53
       ... Better Display ... 53
       ... Modifying ... 53
       ... Deleting and Printing ... 56
... 6.3 Modify Data ... 57
... 6.4 "Bells & Whistles" ... 62
       ... Hiding Our Log ... 62
       ... Controlling the Display of the Log ... 65
       ... CSS Styles ... 66

Appendix ... 71
Index ... 97