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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)

Mainand development packages.

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

  1. Double-click the entry for the newly created filter package interface to open the corresponding editor.
  2. Select the Visible Elements tab and then choose the Add button.
  3. Define the filter conditions by editing
    1. PCHK as a value for Object Type and
    2. EVERYTHING as a value for Development Element.

      Figure: Defining a filter condition for a filter package interface

  4. Choose  Continue.

    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.
    Note Alternatively, you can create a package interface from the package's object list in the SE80 using the context menu Start of the navigation path Create Next navigation step Development Coordination Next navigation step Package Interface End of the navigation path.
  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.

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