Enhancement with Source Code Plug-ins

Your ABAP system contains source code-based repository objects of the SAP standard software. These objects can be enhanced by implementing source code plug-ins at predefined positions referred to as enhancement options. Using these options you change the behavior of a repository object without editing the object itself.

In ABAP Development Tools, the enhancement artifacts are displayed in the Project Explorer and can be opened in the SAP GUI.

Figure 1: Example of an enhancement folder display in the Project Explorer

The source code plug-ins are not directly displayed in the original source code.

In SAP NetWeaver 7.4 SP5 as well as 7.31 SP11 or higher, for the following ABAP repository objects and subobjects:

classes
class includes
programs
includes
function group main includes
function group includes
function modules

the source code plug-in marker in the ruler of the source code editor informs you that one or more source code plug-ins are added at the annotated enhancement option. Also, you can highlight the corresponding line in the source code – for example, with an underline, box, and so on. To do this, set the following preference: Start of the navigation path Window Next navigation step Preferences General Editors Text Editors Annotations Annotation Types ABAP Source Code Plug-ins Text as ... End of the navigation path

Figure 2: Source code plug-in marker that highlights an enhancement option in the ruler of the source code editor

The source code plug-in marker is shown for the following enhancement options:

Explicit enhancement options: Introduced by the ABAP statements ENHANCEMENT-POINT or ENHANCEMENT-SECTION
Implicit enhancement options: For example at the beginning or the end of a method implementation