ABAP Source Code Enhancements

Definition

As a part of the enhancement concept, it is possible to enhance ABAP source code without changing the actual code, simply by adding enhancements.

Source Code Plug-in Technology

Although source code plug-ins are displayed in the same source code as the respective enhancement options, the plug-ins are stored in other include programs managed by the Enhancement Builder:

Types of Source Code Enhancements

The enhancement options in ABAP source code can be explicit and implicit:

Implicit enhancement options always exist and do not need to be assigned to an enhancement spot. More information: Implicit Enhancement Options in ABAP Source Code.
Explicit enhancement options are defined by developers and are the places where partners and customers can implement their source-code plug-ins or overlay enhancements. More information: Explicit Enhancement Options in ABAP Source Code.

A source code plug-in defined between ENHANCEMENT - ENDENHANCEMENT can be enhanced by additional source code plug-ins. This means that the ENHANCEMENT-POINT and ENHANCEMENT-SECTION statements can be listed in a source code plug-in. In addition, implicit enhancement options are now available before the first and after the last line of a source text plug-in (after ENHANCEMENT and before ENDENHANCEMENT).

More information about the usage of source code enhancements: