A business object type is the representation of a business entity in the SAP R/3 System. It encompasses both the functionality (in the form of methods) and the data (in the form of attributes) of this entity. The implementation details of the business object type are hidden from the user. The business object type is accessed through defined functions (methods). This is referred to as encapsulation.

Business object types are used to break the SAP R/3 System down into smaller, disjunctive units. As a result, the system’s structure is improved while its complexity is reduced.

Business object types form the point of entry to the data and the functionality of the SAP R/3 System. At business object type level, both non-SAP systems and the various SAP business components can communication with each other.

The business object type SalesOrder represents a customer’s request to the company to supply a particular quantity of material at a certain point in time or to perform services at a certain point in time. A specific sales order is identified by a sales document number. The business object type contains all the necessary information for a sales order: sold-to party, sales organization, document date, net value of the order, and currency of the sales and distribution document, for example.

The business object type SalesOrder can be accessed by various methods. These include:

• SalesOrder.GetList( ) returns a list of all sales orders stored in the system (optionally restricted according to particular search criteria).

• SalesOrder.CreateFromDat1( ) creates a new sales order in the system.

• SalesOrder.ChangeFromData( ) modifies an existing sales order.

• SalesOrder.Simulate( ) simulates the creation of a new sales order, without actually creating it. It lets you determine information on availability and pricing up front, for example.

A business object type should be understood as a business concept and its implementation in the SAP R/3 System. The term "business object type" corresponds to the term "class" in object-oriented programming languages.
A specific occurrence of a business object type, for example, a sales order actually stored in the system, must be distinguished from the business object type itself. We term this occurrence an instance or a business object (the usual term in object-oriented programming languages).

The sales order #102 is an instance of the business object type SalesOrder. This sales order is identified by its sales and distribution document number 102. The object is described by its attributes, for example:

The method SalesOrder.ChangeFromData( ) lets you modify this data of sales order 102, for example.