Definition:
BAPI(Business Application Programming Interface ) : is defined as an interface providing access to business processes and data in R/3 business application systems. Or BAPI is a set of interfaces to object-oriented programming methods that enable a programmer to integrate third-party software into R/3 product from SAP.
BAPIs are defined as API methods of SAP business object types but implemented as remote enabled Function modules . These business object types and their BAPIs are described and stored in the Business Object Repository (BOR).
An External Application System (May be as SAP system or any other system uses programming language like Java Or Visual Basic Or C++ ) can make a call to BAPI.
SAP Business Objects: Real time objects, such as a sales order/billing doc can be represented as business objects in business application systems ( R/3).
SAP Business Objects can be created with Tcode- SWO1 called as Business Object Repository. This BO Repository allows to define Business Object, their interfaces and BAPIs(API Methods).
BAPIs can be located in the Transaaction: BAPI.(BAPI Explorer).
Step1. Go to Tx- SWO1.
Step2. Press F4 button.
Step6. We can see the Object Type Status & Go Back.
Step7. Expand the Methods option from the Tree structure. Red Color status for some method indicates that they are Obsolete and no longer SAP Supports for that.
Step10. For some method we can find the FM also.
Step13. To read the Business Objects and Methods The Tx- BAPI can be used.
Step14. Select the Sales Order Business Object.
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BAPI’s of two kinds: Instance Dependent & Instance Independent.
Instance-dependent BAPIs
Instance dependent BAPIs use particular instance of the object which the application should specify in the key field of the business object.