In this post, I would like to share my thoughts and suggestions on SOLID’s most violated principle, Single responsibility.
Before we start with SOLID, I need to mention about MVC. Because they go hand in hand. You can read about applying MVC in this blog post.
Previous to Abap, I had chance to work with different programming languages such as Java and C#. And on those platforms, software development has already evolved to create high quality software. But unfortunately same can not be said for Abap development. And most Abapers do not even pay attention SOLID or MVC pattern and do not understand OOP. And as a result, we end up having low quality code.
Here are the a few mistakes and my suggestion to create better architecture.
On Local Classes
Use local classes only for view layer logic not for business logic. They should be only responsible for related report’s view and command logic. Create a separate class to retrieve, process data in another class. That will comply with MVC, Separation of concerns, Solid’s single responsibility.
For example, when a report’s data is requested in a RFC, you can call same class object and simply get data from same source. In that way, you make use of same code, instead of writing another copy of same code and creating possibility of data/process inconsistency. Report belongs to view layer and logic belongs to model layer.
Long methods(Nightmares)
If a method contains too many lines, lets say more than 20 lines, that is because most likely you are doing more than one thing in same method.
Instead, try to think like you are building something with Legos, that you can change parts without need to revive, retest whole code.
Most OOP beginners, create a class and fill all lines in same method. Sorry friends, but, that is hardly OOP. That is just another way of writing function module with many lines of code.
That makes it difficult to test, difficult to maintain. Instead, give meaningful method names, write your code in chunks. Your main methods should call other methods and other methods should encapsulate their complexities in them. Pay attention to visibility scopes and at that point please think about Single responsibility of solid and Lego like coding.
When you have small code blocks with single responsibility, you can maintain them much faster and better. It will be easier to test them. Just think of last time when you go to through a long code to understand usage of a variable. And then imagine if it was a small method with a few lines and how different it would be to understand logic.
On Enhancements and BADI Implementations
Most developers write whole code directly under user-exits, enhancements and Badi methods. Here you need to pay attention single responsibility and MVC.
If that is a multiple use badi, you can create another implementation and write your code in that new class. That is fine as long as you can provide code re-usability. Think of DRY. Because that class is only for your business requirements and somebody else can create another class if they need some other requirement.
But, If that is an enhancement or single use badi, please think of them as controllers of MVC, where you can pass SAP data to your own classes, process required logic and retrieve results. In that way, instead of having many kind of different logic, many lines of codes, in same method or form, you will have calls to methods that encapsulates logic and message related code if you need to show message.
And finally, if you are not already familiar with other programming languages, I definitely suggest you to learn any other object oriented language, such as C#, and improve your skills with rich resources and apply them in Abap.
Those are my brief suggestions for better Abap code. I hope that blog post helps you and gives you an idea. Feel free to add your suggestions and questions.
Thanks for reading.
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