Reports vs forms

[Former Member]

Hi All,

Will anyone explain in points clearly the necessity of sap scripts (or smartforms). I mean, I like to know the

difference between them and the list output. What can be achieved in latter and not in former, advantages and

disadvantages etc etc. Consider also ALV mode of output.

Not the difference between scripts and forms please.

Advance Thanks

Aadarsh

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

hi,

smartforms/sapscripts are directly connected with output type.

for example for Invoice document (billing ) is connected with output type say ZD01 then the form will be processed from VF03 - > Output - > printer/mail/screen.

the ouput type can be find out in tnapr table or via nace transaction.

cheers,

sasi

[Former Member]

SAPScript forms do not support interactive reporting (drilldown).

Rob

[Former Member]

Hi,

ALV is Application List viewer.

Sap provides a set of ALV (ABAP LIST VIEWER) function modules which can be put into use to embellish the output of a report. This set of ALV functions is used to enhance the readability and functionality of any report output. Cases arise in sap when the output of a report contains columns extending more than 255 characters in length.

In such cases, this set of ALV functions can help choose selected columns and arrange the different columns from a report output and also save different variants for report display. This is a very efficient tool for dynamically sorting and arranging the columns from a report output.

also check this link,

<u>http://www.sap-img.com/abap/what-is-alv-programming.htm</u>

For Smartforms,

Check the link below

<u>http://www.sap-img.com/smartforms/smart-001.htm

http://www.sap-img.com/smartforms/advantages-of-sap-smart-forms.htm</u>;

Hope it helps u.

Thanks&Regards,

Ruthra.R

[Former Member]

Hi,

The Following are the differences between Sapcript and Smartforms:-

a) Multiple page formats are possible in smartforms which is not the case in SAPScripts

b) It is possible to have a smartform without a main window .

c) Labels cannot be created in smartforms.

d) Routines can be written in smartforms tool.

e) Smartforms generates a function module when activated.

f) Unlike sapscripts (RSTXSCRP), you cannot upload/download Smartform to your local harddisk.

It was said that it was provided in CRM 3.0 version, but not available in R/3. You can download smartforms into Local PC in a XML format. In the same way you can upload this XML format into Smartform. From the smartform editor itself you can call download option, if you are working in CRM 3.0 environment.

In R3 also, you can download into XML format. However, it's not sure about uploading. Refer to the program 'SF_XSF_DEMO'.

In 4.7 Enterprise, other have seen this utlity which is completey missing in 4.6c. There is functionality to downlaod a complete form or only a particular node. (Utilities -> Download form). It will create a XML file and save it in the hard disk.

For others, if you want to download/upload the Smartforms source, you will need the help from the Basis people. What you can do is to create a Transport and then FTP down to your local harddisk. When you need the Smartform source in another system, you have FTP up the Smartforms file back to the SAP server. Finally, the Basis team, will tp it into your system.

g) The protect and endprotect command in sapscript doesn't work with smartforms. For example on a invoice: First data of position no 80. is printed on page one, other data of position no 80 is printed on page 2. And there's nothing you can do about it. Actually, there is something you can do about it. By using a folder node and checking the 'protect' checkbox, everything in that folder will be page protected.

Thanks&Regards,

Ruthra.R

[Former Member]

Hi Ruthra,

Thank you for the points you gave. But my question was not scripts vs forms. It was reports (lists or ALV) vs forms. I would be glad if u can place the same in points as done so nicely for scripts vs forms

Regards

[Former Member]

Hi

The ABAP list is tool to show data by Monitor, so the first task of list is 'TO SHOW DATA' and not 'TO PRINT DATA'. After, if you want, yuo can print a list

The SMARTFORM and SAPSCRIPT are tools to print and, if you want, you can see it on VIDEO.

So in ABAP list you can only write in one way, becuase you can use only one type of character format. You can't generate a good print, so it isn't suitable to create print of quality (a document for example).

Infact when you print a document, you need several type of character format, paragrapf format and .....

You can do it only by SMARTORMS AND SAPSCRIPT.

MAx

[andreas_mann3]

Hi,

1) lists : before 4.5 the only alternative

-> laborious in comparison to alv

2) alv has substituted abaplist

-> the best alternative it's an all-rounder

and takes off the work of the developer

(sorting,...)

3) forms : only when text must be formatted

-> i try to avoid it -:)

Andreas