Create a Simple RFC Interface

If you’ve completed other tutorials for SAP Application Interface Framework, you might already have created a package and a function group. In this case, you can skip this step.

Create a package that serves as the destination for your newly created objects.

1. Open your system and navigate to the Object Navigator (transaction code SE80).
2. From the drop-down menu, choose Package and enter the name ZDEMO. Press Enter or choose Display or Create Object.
3. Confirm the dialogue window, enter a meaningful short description for your new package, and select Confirm. If prompted, enter a workbench request and confirm again.
4. Repeating the same directions, also create a new function group by selecting Function Group from the drop-down menu and entering the name ZDEMO.

You have successfully created a new package named ZDEMO and a new function group named ZDEMO.

In preparation for the next step, in which you create a function module and a message in case of an application error, you need to create a new message class and a message.

1. Go to the Message Maintenance (transaction code SE91), enter message class ZDEMO_MSG_CLASS, and choose Create.

2. Enter the previously created package ZDEMO and a workbench request.

3. Add a new message with number 000 and message short text Error in creating a flight booking.

   

4. Save your changes.

Run the Function Builder (transaction code SE37) and create a new remote-enabled function module ZBAPI_FLBOOKING_CREATEFROMDATA as a wrapper of the standard demo function module BAPI_FLBOOKING_CREATEFROMDATA.

1. Enter the name ZBAPI_FLBOOKING_CREATEFROMDATA and choose Create.
2. On the upcoming dialog, enter the previously created function group ZDEMO and maintain a short text. Click Save.
3. In the Attributes tab, select the Remote-Enabled Module flag.
   

4. Switch to tab Import, and enter the following import parameters:

Switch to tab Export, and enter the following export parameters:

Switch to tab Tables, and enter the following table parameters:

Switch to tab Source code, and maintain the source code by copying and pasting the following:

    FUNCTION zbapi_flbooking_createfromdata.
      CALL FUNCTION 'BAPI_FLBOOKING_CREATEFROMDATA'
        EXPORTING
          reserve_only  = reserve_only
          booking_data  = booking_data
          test_run      = test_run
        IMPORTING
          airlineid     = airlineid
          bookingnumber = bookingnumber
          ticket_price  = ticket_price
        TABLES
          extension_in  = extension_in
          return        = return.
      /aif/cl_xrfc_temp_storage=>store_bapiret_tab( it_bapiret = return[] ).
      IF line_exists( return[ type = 'A' ] ) OR line_exists( return[ type = 'E' ] ).
        MESSAGE e000(zdemo_msg_class).
      ENDIF.
    ENDFUNCTION.

By default, successful messages are not displayed in the message monitor. To add additional log messages to the log, the method /aif/cl_xrfc_temp_storage=>store_bapiret_tab needs to be called. Also, the flag Use temp. msg. store needs to be selected in step Define RFC Settings.

Save and activate your changes.

Run the ABAP Dictionary (transaction code SE11), and create a new structure ZDEMO_RFC_FLBOOKING_CREATE corresponding to the signature of your function module. The DDIC structure needs to contain one component for each parameter of your function module.

1. Enter the Data type name ZDEMO_RFC_FLBOOKING_CREATE and choose Create.

2. In the upcoming dialog, select the Structure radio button. Choose Continue.

3. Enter a short description.

4. Switch to the Components tab and maintain the following structure:

   Component	Typing Method	Component Type
   RESERVE_ONLY	Types	S_RESERV
   BOOKING_DATA	Types	BAPISBONEW
   TEST_RUN	Types	TESTRUN
   AIRLINEID	Types	S_CARR_ID
   BOOKINGNUMBER	Types	S_BOOK_ID
   TICKET_PRICE	Types	BAPISBOPRI
   EXTENSION_IN	Types	BAPIPAREXTAB
   RETURN	Types	BAPIRET2_T

   

5. Save and activate your changes.

As interfaces in SAP Application Interface Framework are grouped using namespaces, you must create a namespace.

Go to Customizing for SAP Application Interface Framework (transaction code /n/AIF/CUST) and navigate to Interface Development > Define Namespace.

Select New Entries and enter the following name and description for your new namespace:

1. While still in Customizing (transaction code /n/AIF/CUST), navigate to Interface Development > Define Interfaces.

2. In the upcoming dialog, enter your previously created namespace DEMO_3 and press Enter.

3. Select New Entries and enter the following parameters based on your previously created structure:

   Field name	Description	Value
   Interface Name	Name of the interface to be created	FLBOOK
   Interface Version	Version number of the interface	1
   Description	Description of the interface	Flight booking interface for RFC tutorial
   SAP Data structure	Input substructure of the RFC	ZDEMO_RFC_FLBOOKING_CREATE
   Raw Data structure	Input structure of the RFC	ZDEMO_RFC_FLBOOKING_CREATE
   Interface Direction	Indicates the direction of the interface	Both

4. Save your changes.

Next, you have to select the engines that should be used to handle the messages that are processed.

1. While still in Customizing (transaction code /n/AIF/CUST), navigate to Interface Development > Additional Interface Properties > Specify Interface Engines.

2. In the upcoming dialog, enter your previously created namespace DEMO_3 and press Enter.

3. If your namespace contains more than one interface, select interface FLBOOK of version 1. Otherwise, your interface is already displayed.

4. Change the engines as follows:

   Parameter	Value
   Application Engine	Application Engine xRFC integration
   Persistence Engine	Persistency engine xRFC integration
   Selection Engine	AIF Index Tables
   Logging Engine	AIF Application Log

5. Save your changes.

Next, you need to assign the RFC function module to the interface.

1. While still in Customizing (transaction code /n/AIF/CUST), navigate to Interface Development > Additional Interface Properties > Define RFC Settings.

2. Select New Entries and enter the following parameters:

   Parameter	Value
   Function Module	ZBAPI_FLBOOKING_CREATEFROMDATA
   Namespace	DEMO_3
   Interface Name	FLBOOK
   Interface Version	1
   Deactivated	Deselected
   Use temporary message store	Selected

   

3. Save your changes.

It’s recommended to implement an interface-specific single index table to ensure full flexibility, especially if you expect a high load of messages or if you plan to define key fields for your interface (now or later).

You can also switch the single index table later, but when you do, all processed messages stored in the old single index table will no longer be visible in the Interface Monitor. The information for the newly incoming messages is stored in the new single index table of the interface.

1. Create a table via transaction SE11. You can use table /AIF/XRFC_S_IDX as a template by entering /AIF/XRFC_S_IDX in the field Database table, right-clicking it and selecting Copy…. Enter the name ZFLBOOK_RFC_IDX for the new table and select Continue. When prompted, enter package ZDEMO, which you created earlier.

2. After creating the single index table, activate it by selecting Display and then Activate.

3. Go to Customizing (transaction code /n/AIF/CUST) and navigate to SAP Application Interface Framework > Error Handling > Define Namespace-Specific Features. Enter your namespace DEMO_3 and select Continue.

4. Select New Entries to create a new entry in Define Interface-Specific Features. Enter your interface name FLBOOK and version 1 and enter the name of the newly created single index table ZFLBOOK_RFC_IDX in the field Message Index Table.

5. Select both flags Display Root Field and Display description.

   

6. Save your changes.

If you want to monitor the newly created interface in the Interface Monitor of the Message Dashboard app, you require a recipient for the interface.

1. While still in Customizing (transaction code /n/AIF/CUST), navigate to SAP Application Interface Framework > Error Handling > Define Namespace-Specific Features. Enter or select your namespace DEMO_3 and choose Continue.

2. In the menu on the left, navigate to Define Recipients by double-clicking it. Choose New Entries, enter the name ZRFC_TEST_RECIPIENT for your new recipient, and add a meaningful description.

   

3. Save your changes.

To be able to see any data in the Interface Monitor or the Message Dashboard, a recipient must be assigned to the interface they want to monitor.

1. While still in Customizing (transaction code /n/AIF/CUST), navigate to SAP Application Interface Framework > Error Handling > Define Interface-Specific Features. Enter or select your namespace DEMO_3, as well as your interface name FLBOOK and interface version 1. Select Continue.

2. In the menu on the left, double-click Assign Recipients Without Key Fields and create a new entry. Enter or select the namespace and the recipient you created before.

   

3. Save your changes.

Now the users in charge of monitoring the RFC must be assigned to the recipient.

Run transaction /AIF/MYRECIPIENTS and create a new entry. Select the namespace DEMO_3 and recipient ZRFC_TEST_RECIPIENT you created in the steps before. Check the boxes for Overview and Technical User.

Save the new entry.

Before you can create flight bookings, you need to generate test data.

Run transaction BC_DATA_GEN, select the standard data record, and execute the report.

Open the Data Browser (transaction code SE16), select the table SFLIGHTS, and choose Execute. The generated flight data entries are displayed.

If you run the requests in step 16 Send sample request, select existing flights from this table. Ensure that the flight date is in the future, or your requests will fail.

Create a new inbound destination for your bgRFC configuration.

1. Run the bgRFC Configuration (transaction code SBGRFCCONF) and switch to tab Define Inbound Destination.
2. Choose Create.
3. In the upcoming dialog, maintain the Inbound Destination Name AIF_INBOUND.
4. Enter a new Queue Prefix AIF_ and click Add.
5. Save your changes.

Now you have to create a new program to call your function module via bgRFC.

1. Run the ABAP Editor (transaction code SE38).
2. In field Program, enter the name ZDEMO_FLBOOK_VIA_BGRFC and click Create.
3. In the upcoming dialog, enter a Title, select Type Executable program, and Status Test program. Choose Save.
4. In the next dialog, maintain Package ZDEMO. Choose Save.
5. Maintain the code by pasting the following:

  REPORT ZDEMO_FLBOOK_VIA_BGRFC.

      SELECTION-SCREEN BEGIN OF BLOCK block WITH FRAME TITLE TEXT-001.
        PARAMETERS : airline TYPE S_CARR_ID.
        PARAMETERS : connect TYPE S_CONN_ID.
        PARAMETERS : date TYPE S_DATE.
        PARAMETERS : class TYPE S_CLASS.
        PARAMETERS : agency TYPE S_AGNCYNUM DEFAULT '00000109'.
      SELECTION-SCREEN END OF BLOCK block.

      " Convert input data
      data(lv_bookdata) = VALUE bapisbonew(
              airlineid = airline
              connectid = connect
              flightdate = date
              customerid = '1'
              class   = class
              agencynum = agency
              passname  = 'Dude'
              passform  = ''
              passbirth = '19640219' ).

      " bgRFC inbound
      DATA: my_destination TYPE REF TO if_bgrfc_destination_inbound,
            my_unit    TYPE REF TO if_trfc_unit_inbound,
            dest_name   TYPE bgrfc_dest_name_inbound.

      dest_name = 'AIF_INBOUND'.
      my_destination = cl_bgrfc_destination_inbound=>create( dest_name ).
      my_unit = my_destination->create_trfc_unit( ).

      CALL FUNCTION 'ZBAPI_FLBOOKING_CREATEFROMDATA' IN BACKGROUND UNIT my_unit
        EXPORTING
          reserve_only = ' '
          booking_data = lv_bookdata.

      " Commit
      COMMIT WORK.

      IF SY-SUBRC = 0.
        WRITE :/ 'Booking request passed to the application'.
      ENDIF.    

If you chose a different destination name, replace the destination in the code with the one you chose.

Save and activate your changes.

To send in a sample request, you have to run the previously created program and call the RFC interface via bgRFC.

Run program ZDEMO_FLBOOK_VIA_BGRFC. In the selection screen, enter existing flight data from table SFLIGHTS in the input parameters of your program, and select Execute.

You have successfully sent in a sample request via bgRFC that you can monitor in the next step.

Finally, you should test your settings and verify that the RFC monitoring is working as planned.

If you’re using SAP GUI, check the results of your test in the Interface Monitor (transaction code /n/AIF/IFMON).

If you don’t see the new interface, check that your user is correctly assigned to the recipient as described in step Assign users to recipient.

Select the summary line for your interface. You’re forwarded to Monitoring and Error Handling, which shows your selected test message(s).

Alternatively, if you’ve set up Message Monitoring in the SAP Fiori launchpad, you can check the test results there. See How to configure the SAP Fiori Apps for SAP Application Interface Framework.

Congratulations! You’ve created a simple RFC interface and set up monitoring for it in SAP Application Interface Framework.