Difference Between API and BAPI?

[Former Member]

Hello Guru's,

Could you please help me to understand the difference between API and BAPI.

If any 3rd party application needs to connect with SAP, we can use BAPI as well but what is the use of API's.

Why we need API if the BAPI is available.

Please advice me on this.

Thanks,

Gopinath Srikakulam

[Andre_Fischer]

Hi Gopinath,

API is the abbreviation for "Application Programming Interface".

BAPI is the abbreviation for a special (SAP proprietary) kind of API that uses the RFC protocol as described here in the SAP Online help.

General Introduction to BAPIs (CA-BFA) - BAPI - SAP Library

SAP API management is about managing API's in general and not only SAP proprietary API's such as BAPI's.

Hope this helps,

Best Regards,

Andre