Top 32 ABAP Job Interview Questions and Answers

After months of crafting your ABAP skills, refining your resume, and applying to countless ABAP job opportunities, the moment you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived!

That long awaited job interview invitation has landed in your inbox! You’ve been invited to interview for a job as an ABAP Developer!

Excitement and nerves collide as you envision what’s ahead. This is your chance to prove that your knowledge, skills, and passion align with what the company is looking for.

ABAP Developer: Problem Solver, Innovator, and Team Player

Bear in mind that working as an ABAP developer, your role is not just about coding (9 to 5 geek) but also the ability of solving problems, optimizing processes, and collaborating with cross functional teams. Employers aren’t just testing your technical skills, they’re assessing your ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and adapt to dynamic challenges.

They value your capacity to innovate, streamline operations, and contribute to the bigger picture of organizational success. So to excel in this role, you must be a proactive learner, a strategic thinker, and a dependable team player who thrives in an ever-evolving environment. Your success as an ABAP developer lies in blending technical proficiency with problem solving acumen and collaborative spirit.

Been There, Done That!

All I want to say is this: I’ve been in your shoes. I’ve sat on both sides of the table, nervously preparing as a candidate, hoping to impress. And later, as the interviewer, evaluating others who were in the exact same position.

Fortunately, through those experiences, I’ve gained valuable insights into what makes an interview successful and what kinds of questions truly test an ABAP developer’s knowledge and problem solving ability. Drawing from these moments, I’ve put together a collection of 32 essential ABAP interview questions and answers to help you prepare effectively.

The Top 32 ABAP Job Interview Questions And Answers

1. What is ABAP, And How Did It Evolve Over Time?

Answer: ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming) is a high-level programming language created by SAP. It’s basically a programming language developed by SAP that allows ABAP developers to add custom functionalities according to your own specifications or changing the existing behavior of SAP standard code.

In the 80’s, ABAP started as a simple reporting language designed to run on IBM mainframes and now transitioned into a versatile language for building modern, cloud-based applications using frameworks like ABAP RAP (ABAP RESTful Application Programming).

More about the history and development of ABAP.

2. What Are Data Types in ABAP?

Answer: Data Types are responsible for defining the specific type of your variables ( referred to as data objects ), so it’s data types for your data objects.

There are basically 3 data types in ABAP:

1. Elementary Data Types: c, d, p, t, f.
2. Complex Data Type: structure and internal table.
3. Reference Type: reference to an object type such as classes.

Learn also how to declare ABAP Data Type

3. What are the different types of internal tables in ABAP?

Answer: Internal tables are used to store and manipulate datasets in memory at runtime (it’s like a temporary tables). There are 3 types of internal tables in ABAP

1. Standard Table: Basic internal table, no primary keys, linear search, slow for large data
2. Sorted Table: using primary keys, binary search, medium size data
3. Hashed Table: using hash keys, hash based search, good for large table

Check out more reference on different types of internal tables.

4. Explain Lock Objects And How To Use Them?

Answer: A Lock Object is an ABAP object that you can create using transaction code SE11. It is designed to ensure data consistency by managing locks on database records.

A lock object consists of a table’s keys and allows a user to lock specific records, preventing other users from modifying them simultaneously. The lock remains active until explicitly released or the program using it ends. This mechanism is essential in maintaining data integrity in multi-user environments.

The naming of a lock object should begin with E, example: EZXXXX or EYXXXX. The Generated Lock Object will create 2 Function Modules For DEQUEUE (Release lock) and ENQUEUE (Set Lock).

5. What Are Pool and Cluster Tables?

Answer: Pool tables are logical tables, meaning their names in the database differ from their names in the ABAP Dictionary. They don’t have primary keys and can be buffered. It’s primarily used to store configuration or control data, such as screen information or parameter settings, and are not related to business transactional data. The tables can be buffered.

Cluster tables are also logical tables and linked to a table cluster during their definition. They have primary keys but cannot be buffered. They are used to store control data and can also hold temporary data or texts, such as documentation, example: BSEG, BSED, KONV, BSEC.

*Note that these tables are converted into transparent table when using HANA database.

6. Explain Nested Loop and Parallel Cursor

Answer: Nested loop is a method of processing data using two loops: an OUTER LOOP and an INNER LOOP. The inner loop iterates completely for each iteration of the outer loop based on the matching keys, allowing the processing of combinations or relationships between data sets. For each iteration, the inner loop will scan the entire table to look for a matching keys causing poor performance for a large data.

Parallel Cursor is a method used to optimize the processing of two loops by leveraging the record position index (SY-TABIX) for efficient iteration, provided the tables are SORTED. Instead of iterating through all records in the inner loop, Parallel Cursor uses a binary search to locate the matching record’s position in the inner table. Subsequent iterations start from the last accessed position, reducing redundant comparisons and improving performance.

7. Explain Parallel Processing in ABAP

Answer: Parallel Processing is a technique used to process large datasets efficiently by dividing the records into multiple subsets. These subsets are then processed simultaneously across available work processes, enabling faster execution.

By leveraging parallel processing, the program workload is distributed across multiple work processes or threads, reducing processing time and improving performance, especially in environments with large volumes of data. This method is commonly used in ABAP to optimize resource utilization and speed up time consuming operations.

There are 2 methods to implement parallel processing in ABAP:

1. Adding STARTING NEW TASK in the function call and RECEIVE RESULTS FROM FUNCTION for the callback routine.
2. By using SPTA framework

8. Give 5 Checklists Of ABAP Tuning Performance

Answer:

1. Don’t use SELECT * but define each field properly.
2. Avoid using FOR ALL ENTRIES when joining tables, but use joins instead.
3. Check if the reference table is initial before using FOR ALL ENTRIES.
4. Use parallel cursor when processing nested loop.
5. Use READ TABLE with BINARY SEARCH for sorted tables to improve lookup.

9. What TCODES do you use to do performance analysis?

Answer: Two of the most common TCODES are ST12 and ST05.

1. ST05: A traditional tool to check performance of a TCODE, by using this tool we can do SQL trace analysis, RFC, enqueue, and table buffer activities. So if you’re trying to optimize your SQL queries then this the tool you need to use.
2. ST12: This tool combines the capabilities of ST05 (performance trace) and also ABAP runtime analysis (SAT/SE30). It provides a more comprehensive view of both database and ABAP program performance. End-to-end performance troubleshooting, so if you’re looking for and end-to-end performance troubleshooting then this tool will fit perfectly.

10. Which one is better when updating Internal table in a loop, INTO DATA and MODIFY or FIELD-SYMBOL?

Answer: When updating records in an internal table within a LOOP, using FIELD-SYMBOL is more efficient and faster. This is because FIELD-SYMBOL do not create a copy of the working area; instead, they directly reference the record’s position in memory, allowing updates to be made directly without additional overhead (like using MODIFY).

Learn more about comparing INTO DATA and FIELD-SYMBOL.

11. What should we do if we want to index a non primary key field in a table?

Answer: To index a non-primary key field in a table, you should create a secondary index. By following these steps:

1. Go to SE11 and open the table in which you want to add the index.
2. Click the Indexes tab on the toolbar
3. Click the Create button and give the Index name (Starts with Z or Y)
4. Select the non primary field that you want to include as the index.
5. Save and Activate.

In ABAP, How Can We Check Whether A Program Is Running On Background or Foreground?

Answer: In ABAP, you can determine whether a program is running in the background (as a background job) or in the foreground (dialog mode) by checking the system field SY-BATCH.

When the program is running in the background then the value for SY-BATCH will be ‘x’. But when it is running of foreground then the value will be ‘ ‘ (blank).

12. What is OOALV?

Answer: OOALV is an object oriented approach of creating ALV (ABAP list viewer) by implementing methods, events from ALV classes. ALV created using the Object Oriented Programming (OOP) approach offers significant advantages, including better encapsulation, modularity, and scalability.

13. Give Classes Examples For Creating OOALV?

Answer: There are basically there classes that we can use to create ALV using OOP approach:

1. CL_GUI_ALV_GRID
2. CL_SALV_TABLE
3. IF_SALV_GUI_TABLE_IDA

14. What is OData?

Answer: ODATA is actually a protocol for consuming REST API by using technologies such as HTTP and also JSON format and it’s use for CRUD operation (Create, Read, Update, Delete). You can use ODATA to expose SAP’s data to any external system or create new entries from an external system.

15. What is SAP Gateway?

Answer: SAP Gateway is a middleware between SAP and External System, it provides a way of communication between SAP and Non SAP System. You can also use SAP Gateway to maintain and activate ODATA service.

16. How Do you Send Header And Detail Data In One Call Using ODATA?

Answer: In OData service development (TCODE: SEGW), you can use the MPC_EXT (Model Provider Class Extension) to define a payload structure for both header and detail data, with the details data being nested within the header structure. This allows you to handle complex data models that include both header and details entities and POST the payload into SAP in a single call.

17. Explain The Difference Between Protected And Private Section in a Class.

Answer: Attributes of a class defined in the protected section can be accessed by the class itself and its derived (subclass) objects. However, they are not accessible to objects of the class or its subclasses from outside these classes or different classes. In contrast, attributes declared in the private section can only be accessed within the same class and are not accessible to subclasses or objects of the class.

18. What is INTERFACE in Object Oriented ?

Answer: An INTERFACE is a construct that defines a set of method names, but does not provide implementations (empty methods). It is a perfect example of polymorphism, as multiple classes can implement the same interface and provide their own unique logic for the methods, enabling consistent behavior across different class implementations.

19. What Are Static Methods?

Static Methods are methods that can be used right away in your program without instantiating its classes. The methods are created using the CLASS-METHODS statement. To call the class methods you can us cl_class=>get_data( ).

20. When Using Try Catch, How Do We Catch The Root Of All Exception?

Answer: To catch the root of all exceptions, you use the CX_ROOT class, which is the base class for all exception classes in ABAP. By catching CX_ROOT, you can handle any exception that may occur, regardless of its specific type.

TRY.

CATCH cx_root INTO data(l_exc).

  MESSAGE l_exc->get_text( ) TYPE 'E'.

ENDTRY.

21. What is TOC (Transport of Copies)?

Answer: TOC is a way to create copies of your original transport request objects into another TR number (TOC). TOC enables you to release your project in the destination client (e.g QA client) many times for testing purpose, while keeping your original TR untouched and unreleased.

22. How To Find Exits and Implement It?

Answer: Basically we only use 2 TCODES, SMOD to find the EXIT and CMOD to implement the EXIT by creating enhancement project. Now here are the steps to find and implement EXIT.

How To Find Exit?

1. Click System->Status on any TCODE and double click the Program name.
2. Click Goto->Object Directory Entry to find the package name for the Program name.
3. Call TCODE: SMOD, click Utilities->Find and fill the package name, execute.
4. Now you can get the list of available enhancement names.

How To Implement Exit?

1. Call TCODE: CMOD, enter the Enhancement Project name, click on the CREATE button.
2. Enter the Short Text, click the Enhancement Assignment, enter enhancement name, component, enter your ABAP code in the available Function Exit.

23. What is BAdI?

Answer: BAdI stands for Business Ads In, is an object oriented approach of SAP enhancements to add more functionalities into your Standard SAP program without changing any of the standard codes. The BAdI definition comes with an interface consisting of one or more methods. These methods define the operations you want to implement in your program.

BAdI is also included as an explicit enhancement point. The TCODE used for BAdl is SE18 and SE19.

24. Explain How Can You Find BAdI Name Using ABAP?

Answer: We can find BAdI name for any program or TCODES by debugging the CL_EXITHANDLER class.

1. Display class name: CL_EXITHANDLER in SE24.
2. Find Method name: GET_INSTANCE.
3. Set session breakpoint in cl_exithandler=>get_class_name_by_interface.
4. Run any TCODE.
5. You will find the BAdI name in EXIT_NAME parameter.

25. What Are Implicit Enhancement Points?

Answer: Implicit Enhancement Points are points to insert your own code that located in the beginning and the end of an include file, function modules, methods and reports. The good thing about implicit enhancement points is that the location will always remain intact (because the locations are fixed) especially during SAP upgrade.

26. What is CDS View?

Answer: CDS (Core Data Services) is a framework introduced by SAP for defining and consuming data models on the database layer in a standardized and semantically rich way. CDS provides an abstraction layer to define database objects and their relationships directly in the SAP application server but processing the business logic in HANA database.

The equivalent of CDS is VIEW.

27. What is AMDP?

Answer: AMDP (ABAP Managed Database Procedures) is a framework in ABAP that allows developers to write database specific procedures like CRUD operation using SQL Script for SAP HANA, directly within the ABAP environment. AMDP integrates database logic into ABAP classes, enabling seamless execution of complex database operations optimized for SAP HANA.

The equivalent of AMDP is Class module.

28. What is ABAP RAP?

Answer: ABAP RAP (RESTful Application Programming Model) is a modern ABAP development model for building cloud-ready applications and extensions on SAP BTP ABAP environment by following the RESTful paradigm.

SAP Source: ABAP RAP.

29. What Annotation Used To Publish CDS View as ODATA?

Answer: We can publish CDS View as ODATA service by adding @ODATA.publish: true. The generated OData service will automatically have the suffix _CDS appended to the CDS view name.

30. List Down Function Modules Used When Creating BDC.

Answer: When creating a BDC program, we need to call 3 function modules as follow:

1. BDC_OPEN_GROUP.
2. BDC_INSERT.
3. BDC_CLOSE_GROUP.

31. How Do We Create ALV Grid using CL_GUI_ALV_GRID without Using Custom Container?

Answer: To create ALV Grid using CL_GUI_ALV_GRID without using custom container (CL_GUI_CUSTOM_CONTAINER) is by using cl_gui_container=>default_screen as the i_parent import parameter when instantiating CL_GUI_SALV_GRID. After that we just create the screen but without putting any custom control on it.

  create object cl_alv
    exporting
      i_parent = cl_gui_container=>default_screen. "Not using: CL_GUI_CUSTOM_CONTAINER

  cl_alv->set_table_for_first_display(
    exporting
       i_structure_name              = 'SCARR'               " Internal Output Table Structure Name
    changing
      it_outtab                     =  it_scarr .               " Output Table

  call screen 9001.
  

32. Explain The Steps To Add Additional Button On SAP Standard Toolbar or TCODE?

Answer:

1. Find the existing program name by clicking System -> Status.
2. Click the appropriate Screen Number.
3. Locate the existing PF-STATUS and copy it into a Z program .
4. Let’s say the PF-STATUS custom name become ZPFSTATUS and the Z program is ZNEWPFSTATUS
5. Add your custom button on that PF-STATUS ( ZPFSTATUS ).
6. Find any subroutine in the PBO flow after the existing PF-STATUS is called.
7. Create implicit enhancement in that subroutine and add the following code.

SET PF-STATUS 'ZPFSTATUS' OF PROGRAM 'ZNEWPFSTATUS'.

Final Thought

I can’t stressed enough the importance of having a good preparation before an interview, I know that your next interview probably is not going to be your last because there will be another opportunities ahead but please understand that it’s unlikely you’ll get another immediate opportunity to be interviewed by the same company if things don’t go well this time.

Opportunities are abundant, but truly great companies that value your unique skills and potential are rare. These companies seek candidates who demonstrate not only technical expertise but also dedication, preparation, and a passion for growth. By putting in the effort to prepare thoroughly, you increase your chances of making a lasting impression on your interviewer and securing a position with an employer who genuinely appreciates your abilities.

Choosing Between Consultant or End User Companies

There are two main types of companies that could be your next employer: CONSULTING FIRMS and END-USERS companies. Each has its own unique characteristics, advantages, and challenges. Understanding these differences will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your career goals and preferences.

1. Consulting Companies:
   • Travel a lot: Most consulting roles require you to travel and work onsite with clients. Remote opportunities are increasing, but some travel may still be required.
   • Dynamic Work Environment: Meaning that you will be able to learn various industries, business processes.
   • Steep Learning Curve: You will learn new things faster, as consulting companies are often at the forefront of adopting and implementing the latest technologies to stay competitive.
   • Single, young people usually go here.
2. End-users Companies
   • You prefer stability and a consistent work environment.
   • You want to specialize in a specific industry or SAP landscape.
   • Work life balance and long term job security are important to you.
   • Married, old people usually go here.

So take your time to reflect before applying for any job interview, as your decision will significantly impact your career trajectory. Understanding the differences between consulting and end-user companies will help you choose a path that aligns with your goals and lifestyle preferences.

So good luck and God bless!