Architecture (SAP Library - SAP Smart Forms (BC-SRV-SCR))

Architecture

If you create forms for an application, you want to include application data into the form. The architecture of SAP Smart Forms separates application data retrieval from the actual definition of the form:

In a Smart Form you describe:

The layout of your form (element positions on a page)

Individual elements you want to display (text, graphics, addresses, tables, and so on)

the form logic you use, for example, to read application data from internal tables, to introduce conditions, and to control process flows (see also: Form Logic: Introduction)

a form interface to transfer application data to the form definition

When you activate the Smart Form, the system generates a function module that encapsulates all attributes of the Smart Form. As soon as the application program calls the function module, the Smart Form uses the modules interface (which corresponds to the form interface) to transfer any table data previously selected and to print the form according to the form description.

The form description can also contain statements that select further data during form processing. However, you should not use this method of data retrieval. Especially if you print mass forms, performance will deteriorate considerably.