In the front end editor, the ABAP source code is loaded onto the front end and edited locally. The advantage of this is that all editing functions that do not require communication with the backend can be performed very quickly. However, the communication channel between the front end and backend can be overloaded when you use the front end editor. If you have a large program, this can be a problem even in a LAN environment, but in a WAN, it can become critical. You can edit the following development objects in the front end editor:

·         ABAP programs

·         Method implementations (Class Builder)

·         Function module implementations (Function Builder)

·         Screen flow logic (Screen Painter)

·         Type groups (ABAP Dictionary)

Edit control mode has the same range of features in each situation in which you can use it.

 

Edit control mode is not yet supported in the split screen editor, the BOR editor, or the logical database editor.

Editing an ABAP program in edit control menu using the context menu:

Features

The front end editor of the ABAP Editor contains the following features:

·         Local scrolling (only available in this mode)

·         Cut, copy, and paste for selected text areas (only available in this mode)

·         Drag and drop (only available in this mode)

·         Context menu (right-click) for accessing editor functions (only available in this mode)

·         Local find and replace function

·         Navigation to a selected line (using the context menu)

·         Access to the buffer and block operations (using the context menu)

·         Commenting out text blocks

·         Working with blocks and clipboards

·         Navigation functions (forward navigation)

·         Syntax check, displaying error messages and warnings in a separate window

·         Colored highlighting for comment lines

·         Automatic line feed when the maximum line width is reached (only available in this mode)

·         Insert statement function.

·         Multiple-step undo and redo functions (only available in this mode)

·         Displays current cursor position

·         Pretty Printer for standardizing the layout

·         Import and export for local files

Table Control Mode

The backend editor allows you to use the traditional backend editor for editing your ABAP coding. The editor is line-based and to use normal editor functions such as cut, copy, and paste, you must first select a block of lines. It is often useful to use the clipboards in this mode.

If you have a very long program (and especially if you are working in a WAN environment), the backend editor can produce better performance than the front end editor. Furthermore, backend editor allows you to edit any development object that is based on the ABAP Editor. The split screen editor, the BOR Editor, and the Logical Database Editor are only available in the backend editor.

Features

The backend editor of the ABAP Editor provides the following functions:

·         Compression logic (only available in this mode)

·         Line numbering (only available in this mode)

·         Find and replace functions

·         Colored highlighting for comment lines

·         Insert statement function

·         Include expansion (only available in this mode)

·         Single-step undo function

·         Conversion of a text block to comment lines

·         Pretty printer for standardizing program layout

·         Syntax check

·         Upload and download of local files

Changing the Editor Mode

When you start the ABAP Editor, the system displays the source code in the editor mode saved in your user-specific settings.

To change the Editor mode from anywhere in the ABAP Workbench:

Choose Utilities  à Settings

The User-Specific Settings dialog box appears.

Choose ABAP Editor.

Set the new editor mode.

If you are going to use Table control mode, you can choose whether to switch the Line numbering and Compression logic on or off.

Choose to leave the dialog box.

The changed settings are saved and will be retained even after you log off from the SAP System.

Creating a Program

The description assumes that you are creating your new ABAP program in the Object Navigator. It is also based on the most general case and you can use it even if there is not yet a Programs node in your object list.

You can also use the Create function from the context menu of the object node.

Choose (Other object).

In the Object Selection dialog box, chose Program.

Enter the name of the new program.

Remember that all programs in the customer namespace must begin with Y or Z.

Choose.

The Create Program dialog box appears.

If you want your program to be an executable program, deselect the With TOP include option. If, on the other hand, you want to create a module pool, select the option.

Choose to confirm your entries.

If you created a program with a TOP include, a dialog box appears in which you have to enter the name of the include.

Choose to confirm your entries.

Another dialog box appears in which you must set other program attributes.

For details of what each attribute means, enter the program attributes and choose save.

The Create Object Catalog Entry dialog box appears.

Assign a development class to the program.

Choose to confirm your entries.

The program is added to the object list of the relevant development class and displayed under the Programs object node. The system starts the ABAP Editor and opens the program in change mode.

Editing the Source Code

The precise procedure for navigation and editing source code varies according to the editor

Mode that you are using

Navigating in the Source Code

Editing Source Code (Front end Editor)

Editing Source Code (Backend Editor)

Using the Clipboards

Find and Replace (Front end Editor)

Find and Replace (Backend Editor)

Inserting Statement Patterns

Inserting Patterns Using Drag and Drop

Expanding Includes

Improving the Layout