ABAP Unit - Overview 

ABAP Unit is part of the test landscape for ABAP programs and completes it. With regard to the sequence of tests, ABAP Unit comes after the static program checks and is the first of the runtime tests to be executed - that is, before the integration and system tests. ABAP Unit enables early recognition and cost-efficient removal of errors. The additional effort required when developing the tests is generally made up for by the resulting support of the production code.

The most important properties of ABAP Unit are:

·        The tests are programmed in ABAP. You do not have to learn any additional test script languages.

·        The tests are developed in the ABAP development environment. You do not have to learn any additional interface operation.

·        In the development phase, tests can be called directly in the editor.

·        The test execution can be automated.

·        Mass tests are enabled by integration into the Code Inspector tool.

These properties are implemented as follows:

·        Tests are developed in form of test methods in test classes during or even before the actual program development.

·        Test classes are local classes of the ABAP program to be tested and are thus a part of that program. Therefore, the internal view enables you to test all visible program elements and ensures that the version integrity is maintained after transports.

·        The additional test code does not negatively affect the production system since test classes are not generated in production systems.

·        Special fixture methods allow you to construct and remove reproducable test conditions for every test in the program to be tested and thus enable efficient test creation.

This concept ensures a clear separation between the development and execution of tests. Developers incorporate tests and test conditions (fixtures) into their programs. Tests are then generally executed by:

·        The developers themselves as single tests to test individual development sections of the production code

·        Special testers, such as quality managers, in the context of test tasks when testing completed programs