Renzo Colle - ABAP CDS: Core Data Services for ABAP

Core data services ( CDS ) form the basis of the ABAP platform s modern programming model and are therefore an important part of SAPs current technology strategy. Among other things, as an extension of SQL, this technology allows users to leverage the features of the SAP HANA database . ABAP CDS and its annotations can be used to enhance the model with information that can be optimally integrated into analytical applications and web interfaces for cloud applications or user interfaces (UIs) via OData as a model-based protocol. CDS also serves as a foundation for the new ABAP RESTful application programming model . Therefore, CDS and the programming model based on it form the basis of SAP Fiori applications , which embody the new standards for the modern user experience of SAP applications.

SAP S/4HANA , the next generation business suite, is also based on CDS in the form of the virtual data model ( VDM ). In this book, we describe the use of CDS from the perspective of SAP S/4HANA and its overall architecture (up to date for release 2021). Therefore, we not only describe the technical aspects of CDS but also the motivation behind the applied approaches. We use examples from application development and supplement them with recommendations for the successful implementation of your own projects, which go far beyond discussing purely functional aspects.

We cover the most important aspects and functions of ABAP CDS, which are used in concrete use cases in the SAP S/4HANA environment. For a technical description of all CDS functions, you can refer to the SAP standard documentation. This book also provides the relevant basis (in the respective version of the ABAP platform) for the applicable syntax and the scope of functions supported.

The CDS-based programming model is relatively new and is therefore still subject to changes and significant further enhancements. Especially in the field of transactional applications, the development of the programming model is still evolving. Particularly in this area, we expect the implementation to become more efficient and the range of features and functions to be extended significantly in the future. You should always consider this evolution when implementing your own projects.

With this book, we aim to give you an overview of the CDS-based programming model and possible use cases. The knowledge we provide will enable you to define CDS models based on the basic rules and recommendations that the SAP standard development follows, to use them in a reasonable way in your applications, and to enhance the SAP S/4HANA standard applications. By the time youve finished the book, you should have developed comprehensive knowledge of the underlying concepts, learned how SAP uses these concepts in SAP S/4HANA, and gained a practical understanding of how these concepts can be applied when building your own applications.

The book is primarily aimed at ABAP developers who want to develop or enhance ABAP-based applications for use in OData application programming interfaces (APIs), in analytics or in SAP Fiori UIs. Basic knowledge of ABAP development and SQL is required. However, if youre a newcomer to the ABAP and SQL world, the book will help you create your first applications and services with the help of CDS models. You can very quickly develop appealing analytical applications and interfaces, as well as purely reading applications, without writing ABAP code yourself.