Creating Package Interfaces 

 

From the outside, an encapsulated package looks like a “black box.” To make the content of a package visible from the outside so that it can be used, you define package interfaces. Only those package elements that have been added to an interface can be used by other packages. In other words: packages make their services available to other packages providing package interfaces.

 

A package can contain multiple package interfaces, each with a different name. When you add new package interfaces to a package, the creation procedure differs a little depending on the package type. In particular, you have to distinguish between package interfaces for

·         Structure packages (see also: Types of Package Interfaces for Structure Packages)

·         Main and development packages.

 

Prerequisites

• You have the authorization to change the package for which the interface needs to be created.  

For example, you are authorized to add a package interface to a structure package only if you have authorization to create or change structure packages.

• The package for which the package interface needs to be created must exist in the ABAP system and have an active version.   

Procedure

To create a package interface (example: filter package interface) for a structure package:

...

       1.      Launch the Object Navigator (SE80) and open the relevant structure package in the package editor.

       2.      Make sure the editor is switched to Change mode.

       3.      Select the Package Interfaces tab.

       4.      Choose the Create button.

       5.      Enter the name and short description for the structure package interface.

       6.      To create a filter, select the option Filter Package Interface.

Figure: Defining a filter for a structure package

       7.      Choose  Continue.

       8.      Choose  to save your entries.

       9.      In the dialog box that appears, assign a transport request.

NOTE
With the steps above, you have created a (filter) package interface for the structure package. Up to this point, the procedure does not vary if you create other types of interfaces for structure packages.

To add filter conditions (no longer required in SAP NetWeaver release 7.31 SP5!) for the elements exposed in a package filter interface, continue the procedure as follows:  

   10.      Double-click the entry for the newly created filter package interface to open the corresponding editor.

   11.      Select the Visible Elements tab and then choose the Add button.

   12.      Define the filter conditions by editing

                            a.      PCHK as a value for Object Type
and

                            b.      EVERYTHINGas a value for Development Element.

Figure: Defining a filter condition for a filter package interface

   13.      Choose  Continue.

You have defined a filter for a structure package with filter condition EVERYTHING for all development objects that will be exposed in the filter package interface.

Figure: Filter conditions that will become effective during the package check

 

 

To create a package interface for a main or development package:

 

1.       Launch the Object Navigator (SE80) and open the relevant package in the package editor. 

Alternatively, you can create a package interface from the package’s object list in the SE80 using the context menu Create  ®  Development Coordination  ®  Package Interface.

2.       Make sure the editor is switched to Change mode.

3.       Choose the Package Interfaces tab.

4.       Choose Add.  

The system displays the Create Package Interface dialog box.

5.       Enter a name and short description for the package interface.

6.       Choose  Continue.

7.       Choose  to save your entries.

8.       In the dialog box that appears, assign a transport request.

Result

You have created an interface for the package. Each interface you create is an independent transport object, separate from the package.
You can now add package elements to the interface to make the elements in it visible to other packages.

 

See also:

Adding Elements to an Interface