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Dicsussion: Java? ABAP?

Posted on Oct 16, 2004 at 03:54 AM 26 Views

Many friends here have been using ABAP for a long time.

With introduction of Netweaver, Java will also be used. Some ABAP guys might get concerned. Do you have any idea about the future?

<b>For e.g., will Java replace ABAP? Do we have to catch up Java programming?</b>

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    author's profile photo Former Member
    Former Member
    Posted on Oct 16, 2004 at 02:37 PM
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    Hi Ben,

    First of all: ABAP is there to stay and for the regular developments in SAP it is most likely to be used in the future.

    This sayd, there is a new technology available. It is part of SAP Netweaver. With Netweaver the new technology for building applications is now based on Java.

    SAP is promoting the use of Netweaver. For developers that are willing to change the way we do development, this is a new challenge.

    For example. When using SAP Portals (i.e. Enterprise Portals) and you wish to create a new application, the way to do so would be to use the new SAP Netweaver development studio and create a Web Dynpro. It is possible to do this with little knowledge of Java, but if you really want to make a difference some basic knowledge is required. The developer studio is based on the open source Eclipse (by IBM) and is totally Java based.

    Now i was at the Munich TechEd (October 2004) and talking with some experts of SAP they gave away that the developer studio is also being prepared for ABAP (due somewhere middle/end of 2005).

    In my opinion however, i cannot wait a year until ABAP comes available for this. I want to use the new technology right now, so i will start training on Java and use it when needed (but still use my ABAP knowledge where required).

    What will become the stronghold for development (ABAP, Java or maybe .Net) i do not know. For now Java seams to have the best changes, but who knows for the future.

    So do not be concerned about the growth of Java, embrace it and learn the new way of Netweaver.

    Regards,

    Rob.

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  • author's profile photo Former Member
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    Posted on Oct 16, 2004 at 06:44 AM
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    Hi,

    A lot of discussion has already taken place on this subject on various forums. The conclusion so far has been that ABAP can't be replaced; rather it is being made more feature-rich as the time passes. JAVA is a strategic move by SAP to address a wider audience for their integration issues--a top priority of many organizations in years to come. Other organizational concerns for creating more value out of existing investments are being addressed in the form of xApps and many other offerings using JAVA. Additionally, to support multi-channel access, JAVA is a better choice due to platform neutrality.

    For an ABAP developer, JAVA is a nice to have skill for the moment, and as time passes it will become more important. What might be a bit difficult for a person to decide is whether they should make ABAP their core skill and build on JAVA, or should they do it the other way around? I think its totally upto the person as both languages now have native support. I personally think that as a technical consultant, one should have a firm grip on both technologies so as to be able to assist the stakeholders in making the right choice.

    Regards

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  • author's profile photo Former Member
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    Posted on Oct 17, 2004 at 07:06 PM
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    Hi,

    I'm more concerned about being outsourced rather than whether I know ABAP/Java or both.

    I happen to know both but am realistic and know for a fact I will outsourced eventually if I don't start moving into other areas that are less likely to be outsourced.

    My advice is to start learning some of the NetWeaver stack of products so at least you have more skills in your portfolio other than just being a programmer. Believe you me it does not matter how excellent you are at coding someone can always get it cheaper elsewhere !!!!

    Kind regards

    Colin 😊

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    • Former Member
      Jan 08, 2005 at 04:26 AM

      Outsourcing..exactly

      But languages are not here to stay , knowing the next generation of languages will not help either. It will take only months before the outsourcing counterparts catch it up . Well the top company listing gives good evidence of this with many outsourcing companies somewhere in the Top 20.

      Recently there was a blog on SDN showing Shai Agassis slides where he predicts, Outsourcing will be replaced by modelling. If one person can do what 10 programmers can do then why outsource, especially when the Business process knowledge is best known by the company itself. But this does not present any good news either because essentially it dictates how code churning is going to bite the dust, and considerable ease with which a Business process can be set up. Web Dynpro , CAF are some of the tools that greatly improve programmer productivity and there by their reduction.

      So my two cents about securing your job in the Enterprise IT industry would be to learn Business processes and understand it thoroughly ,how they work and be strong in Business process knowledge as you are with technology.

      Regards

      Pran

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