Introduction to the Class Builder 

Purpose

The Class Builder allows you to create and maintain global ABAP classes and interfaces. Both of these object types, like global data types, are defined in the R/3 Repository. Together, they form a central class library and are visible throughout the system. You can display existing classes and interfaces in the class library using the Class Browser.

You can define local classes as well as global classes. Local classes are defined in programs, function groups, or in a class pool of auxiliary classes within a global class. They are only visible in the module in which they are defined.

Integration

The Class Builder is a fully-integrated tool in the ABAP Workbench that allows you to create, display, and maintain global object types from the class library. The diagram below illustrates the architecture of the Class Builder and the relationships between its components (including the Class Browser).

To reach the initial screen of the Class Builder, choose Development ® Class Builder from the initial screen of the ABAP Workbench or enter transaction code SE24. From here, you can either display the contents of the R/3 class library or edit a class using the Class Editor. Once you have defined an object type, you can implement its methods. From the initial screen or the Class Editor, you can also access the Class Builder’s test environment.

Features

Use the Class Builder to:

Constraints

You cannot define object types on the basis of graphical object modeling.