Front-End Editor (Source Code Mode) 

Use

The Front-End Editor (Source Code Mode) is a universal programming tool that works with most programming languages that have a defined syntax schema such as ABAP, eCATT, BSP and so on.

Integration

The Front-End Editor is fully integrated into the SAP system environment by means of a specific ABAP wrapper and supports all features available in the two older editor modes (Front-End Editor (Plain Text Mode) and Back-End Editor). It is also designed to work with transactions where these two editor modes are currently used: Object Navigator (transaction SE80), Function Builder (transaction SE37), Report Builder (transaction SE38), Class Builder (transaction SE24) and so on.

Prerequisites

The Front-End Editor is available with SAP GUI for Windows 6.40 Patch Level 10 or higher. In order to have the editor integrated into the ABAP Workbench and use all related transactions, you need the appropriate SAP system version. The first version supporting the new editor is SAP NetWeaver 7.0.

Features

The Front-End Editor offers a wide range of modern programming technologies, such as powerful syntax highlighting, outlining of language structures, code hints and auto-completion of language structures and elements.

The new Front-End Editor has an option for creating new language schemes and for adjusting the language syntax by means of XML configuration files. By default, the editor supports a syntax scheme for ABAP but the dynamic plugging of code written in other languages is also possible.

The functional shell for creating and applying user-defined source code templates with editor variables and interactive elements speeds up the development process and reduces the amount of routine coding.

The new Front-End Editor supports color printing with WYSIWYG print preview that facilitates the creation of documents and complex programs listings.

The extensive formatting functions – automatic code indentation, smart tabs, automatic insertion of brackets, case- and mistyping correction – increase the interactivity of the development process and offer significantly improved functionality over the two classical modes of the ABAP Editor: Front-End Editor (Plain Text Mode) and Back-End  Editor

Activities

To open the help file about the Front-End Editor (Source Code Mode):

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       1.      Switch to the new Front-End Editor. For more information, see Changing the Editor Mode.

       2.      Choose the Options button () in the lower right-hand corner of the screen and press F1.

The Front-End Editor Help screen appears.