In many enterprise scenarios, SAP systems need to communicate and exchange data not only within SAP modules but also with external databases. Whether it is for reporting, data migration, or extending business processes, integrating SAP ABAP programs with external databases is a common requirement.
This article explores the methods, techniques, and best practices for integrating SAP ABAP with external databases, enabling seamless data exchange between SAP and non-SAP systems.
ABAP allows executing native SQL queries directly on the underlying database using the EXEC SQL statement, but this is limited to the SAP database only and cannot directly connect to external databases.
Hence, this method is not applicable for external DB connections.
In older SAP versions, DB Connect was used to connect to external databases via a database gateway. However, this approach is largely deprecated and not recommended for new developments.
Instead of direct DB connections, ABAP programs often use RFCs, BAPIs, or Web Services to communicate with middleware or external systems that interact with external databases.
SAP NetWeaver supports Secondary Database Connections using DB Connections configured in the system.
SELECT * FROM dbtable@dbconn INTO TABLE it_data.
Here, dbconn is the name of the secondary database connection.
ADBC is an ABAP class-based API that allows executing native SQL on any database for which a connection is configured.
Example:
DATA: conn TYPE REF TO cl_sql_connection,
stmt TYPE REF TO cl_sql_statement,
rs TYPE REF TO cl_sql_result_set,
lv_sql TYPE string,
lt_result TYPE TABLE OF some_structure.
conn = cl_sql_connection=>get_connection( 'DB_CONN' ).
stmt = conn->create_statement( ).
lv_sql = `SELECT * FROM external_table`.
rs = stmt->execute_query( lv_sql ).
rs->set_param_table( lt_result ).
conn->close( ).
For non-SAP databases, middleware or external programs can expose data through ODBC or JDBC, which can be consumed indirectly via:
Configure DB Connection (Transaction DBCO):
Use ADBC in ABAP:
Handle Security and Performance:
DATA: conn TYPE REF TO cl_sql_connection,
stmt TYPE REF TO cl_sql_statement,
rs TYPE REF TO cl_sql_result_set,
lt_customers TYPE TABLE OF zcustomer.
conn = cl_sql_connection=>get_connection( 'EXT_ORACLE' ).
stmt = conn->create_statement( ).
rs = stmt->execute_query( `SELECT * FROM customers` ).
rs->set_param_table( lt_customers ).
conn->close( ).
Integrating SAP ABAP with external databases enhances SAP’s flexibility to interact beyond its core system. Using Secondary DB Connections and ADBC, ABAP developers can efficiently execute native SQL queries on external databases, ensuring seamless data flow and integration. While other approaches like middleware, web services, and RFC remain popular, direct database integration is often indispensable for performance-critical or data-intensive scenarios.
Understanding and implementing these integration techniques enable SAP professionals to design robust, scalable, and secure enterprise solutions that bridge SAP with heterogeneous IT landscapes.