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Object documentationInterface

 

A connecting point between the application and the data in the external format. At the most basic level, every interface needs data structures, data, and business logic.

 

Building an interface can be complicated and the effort needed to build, maintain, and monitor interfaces can be underestimated. SAP Application Interface Framework provides a structured framework that enables users to easily implement interface building blocks, providing Customizing menus that allow an IT project team to start generically and then tailor the interface to business processes and the team’s specific needs. This simplifies and standardizes the building and implementation process reducing development costs and time. After the key interface components are built, they can easily be reused in other interfaces. Interface components can be assigned to namespaces, that is, grouped by functional area so users can easily access the components. Every time a new interface is required, interface developers working with SAP Application Interface Framework can leverage their previous work, as well as the work of their colleagues, to streamline the process, reduce errors, and contribute to cost savings.

Example Example

An interface requires that a validation be completed for a material number. SAP Application Interface Framework not only provides the steps to implement that validation as part of the interface, but also retains that implementation so the validation can be reused in other interfaces.

End of the example.

Structure

In SAP Application Interface Framework, there are the following four key interface building blocks:

  • Structure mappings

    The sending system and receiving system often don’t have the same data structures for their business objects or functions. Structure mappings are needed to map interface data from the source structure to the destination structure.

  • Value mappings

    The sending system and receiving system might have different values for an object or business value. A value mapping from a source value to a destination value solves this.

  • Checks

    To ensure that your interface data is correct, checks are needed to verify that the interface data is in the right format, that it is valid from a business perspective, and that it can successfully be interpreted by the application system.

  • Actions

    Actions need to be triggered to execute the interface's business logic, for example, an action triggers a call to a Business Application Programming Interface (BAPI) to create a purchase order.

Integration

Use transaction code /AIF/CUST to access Customizing for SAP Application Interface Framework. In the following Customizing activities, you can define interface building blocks:

  • Define Structure Mappings

  • Define Value Mappings

  • Define Fix values

  • Define Checks

  • Define Actions

The Interface Builder provides you with a quick and easy graphical way to create structure mappings for interfaces in the SAP Application Interface Framework (see Interface Builder).

You can generate SAP Application Interface Framework relevant interface objects via the Service Implementation Workbench (see Service Implementation Workbench Support).

The Generate IDoc Structure and Interface Definition report (transaction code /AIF/IDOC_GEN) enables you to create a structure from an IDoc basic type and, optionally, to create a corresponding SAP Application Interface Framework interface definition for the newly created structure (see IDoc Structure Generation and Interface Definition).

More Information

For more information about individual Customizing activities, for example, Define Interfaces and Define Structure Mappings, see the corresponding Customizing documentation.