Introduction
In this blog I will explain creation of simple SAP NW GW OData service which will implement Create, Read, Update, Delete, Query and Function Import operations.
Just to make it very simple, I will just have single entity and entity set. Here I will perform these operations on Z table. In real scenarios, you will use BAPIs. RFCs to perform these operations.
I recommend to read below documents and SAP documentation for deep understanding.
How to Develop a Gateway Service using Code based Implementation by Andre Fischer
How to Develop Query Options for an OData Service Using Code-Based Implementationby Andre Fischer
How to Write an OData Channel Gateway Service. Part 2 - The Runtime Data Provider Class
SAP Help - SAP NetWeaver Gateway Foundation Developer Guide - SAP NetWeaver Gateway Foundation (SAP_GWFND) - SAP Library
Code Snippet - 3.2 Data Provider Class (DPC) - SAP NetWeaver Gateway Foundation (SAP_GWFND) - SAP Library
Scenario
We have User information table as ZUSERINFO containing below fields
![gw1.jpg]()
Now let's create OData service which will insert, read, delete, update and query this table along with one custom operation (UsersByCountry) as function import.
From an ABAPer perspective, This is what meant by OData operations.
| OData Operation | HTTP Method | What it meant to an ABAPer |
|---|
| Create | POST | Insert <table> from <workarea> |
| Read | GET | Select Single * From <table> into <workarea> |
| Update | PUT/PATCH | Update <table> set <workarea> |
| Delete | DELETE | Delete from <table> |
| Query | GET | Select * From <table> Into Table |
| Function Import | GET/POST | Everything covered by GET and POST. But only use if scenario does not fit into CRUDQ operations. |
We can correlate Entity Set as Table Type, Internal table and Entity to work area, structure!
| Entity Set | Table Type or Internal Table |
| Entity | Structure or Work Area |
Procedure
Let’s go to transaction SEGW and create project as ZUSERINFO.
![gw2.jpg]()
Now right click on Data Model and Import --> DDIC Structure option, it will display popup window. Provide DDIC structure name. In this case table name ZUSERINFO. It will propose field and key mapping as well as object name which will be your entity name.
![gw3.jpg]()
We will ignore MANDT as key field and also overwrite object name. I want my field names in upper camel case format so I will change it accordingly. Let’s call entity type as User. It will look as below. Press enter.
![gw4.jpg]()
finally our entity type User will look as below.
![gw5.jpg]()
Now let’s create Entity Set as UserCollection (or UserSet or Users). You can refer Creating High-Quality OData Services - SAP NetWeaver Gateway Foundation (SAP_GWFND) - SAP Library
I will go with UserCollection as my entity set name.
Right click folder name Entity Sets and click create. Provide entity set name as UserCollection and Entity Type name as User. It will display as below.
![gw6.jpg]()
Now let’s generate runtime artifacts. Click on generate runtime objects button. It will display popup as below. Keep the default class names as-is and click on enter button.
![gw7.jpg]()
On successful generation, you will see this kind of message log and generated artifacts. 4 classes will get generated. 2 for Data provider and 2 for Model provider.
![gw8.jpg]()
Now register your service under service Maintenance folder. Click on Register button. Keep default values as-is and hit enter button.
![gw9.jpg]()
On successful registration, click Maintain button. This will open service catalog window along with option to call Gateway Client. Click on Gateway Client button to test the service. (you can also call transaction /IWFND/GW_CLIENT to open SAP NW Gateway client)
Append $metatda to base service URL and press execute button. If everything is fine then you will HTTP Response as below. Metadata provides information such as Entity type, key property, properties and Entity Set name.
![gw10.jpg]()
So far we just defined single entity type and entity set. Now it’s time to code CRUDQ and function import methods.
Coding
There is no specific order to implement these methods but it is always good to 1st implement query and read operation as for Create and Update, you will need request data which you will get if you already have query/read implemented.
1) Query Operation
First we will start implementing query operation. Before that, I will add one record in my ZUSERINFO table as
![gw11.jpg]()
Now open Runtime artifacts folder and right click on Class ZCL_ZUSERINFO_DPC_EXT and select Go to ABAP Workbench option. Select edit mode and redefine method USERCOLLECTION_GET_ENTITYSET.
![gw12.jpg]()
In the simplest form, this is what minimal coding will look like in GET_ENTITYSET method.
METHOD usercollection_get_entityset.
DATA: lt_userinfo TYPETABLEOF zuserinfo,
ls_userinfo LIKELINEOF lt_userinfo,
ls_entity LIKELINEOF et_entityset.
*Get data from ZUSERINFO table
SELECT * FROM zuserinfo INTOTABLE lt_userinfo.
*Fill ET_ENTITYSET
LOOPAT lt_userinfo INTO ls_userinfo .
ls_entity-userid = ls_userinfo-userid.
ls_entity-firstname = ls_userinfo-firstname.
ls_entity-lastname = ls_userinfo-lastname.
ls_entity-email = ls_userinfo-email.
ls_entity-phone = ls_userinfo-phone.
ls_entity-country = ls_userinfo-country.
APPEND ls_entity TO et_entityset.
ENDLOOP.
ENDMETHOD.
We are selecting all data from table ZUSERINFO and appending the result to exporting parameter ET_ENTITYSET.
Now you can go to GW client transaction and execute URI /sap/opu/odata/sap/ZUSERINFO_SRV/UserCollection which will display one record which we already added into Z table.
![gw13.jpg]()
Observe the method signature. put external breakpoint in method and execute query. You will find important information in method parameters in debugging mode.
Below table will provide brief explanation of method parameters, alternative approach to get the value of those method parameters. Last column specifies if we need to code to implement query operation.
Here IO_TECH_REQUEST_CONTEXT refers to /IWBEP/IF_MGW_REQ_ENTITYSET
| OData Query | Method Parameter | Alternative way to get the value | Coding required to implement Query Operation |
|---|
| UserCollection?$filter=UserID eq '123' and LastName eq 'Mahajan' | IT_FILTER_SELECT_OPTIONS and IV_FILTER_STRING | DATA: my_filter_options TYPE /iwbep/t_mgw_select_option,
my_filter_string TYPE string.
my_filter_options = io_tech_request_context->get_filter( )->get_filter_select_options( ).
my_filter_string = io_tech_request_context->get_filter( )->get_filter_string( ). | Yes |
| UserCollection?$select=FirstName,LastName | No method parameter | data: my_select_fields type /iwbep/t_mgw_tech_field_names.
my_select_fields = io_tech_request_context->get_select( ). | No |
UserCollection?$orderby=FirstName,LastName
OR
UserCollection?$orderby=FirstName desc,LastName desc | IT_ORDER | data: my_orderby_fields type /iwbep/t_mgw_tech_order.
my_orderby_fields = io_tech_request_context->get_orderby( ). | Yes |
| UserCollection?search='test' | IV_SEARCH_STRING | data: my_search_string type string.
my_search_string = io_tech_request_context->get_search_string( ). | Yes |
| UserCollection?$top=1 | IS_PAGING-TOP | data: my_top type string.
my_top = io_tech_request_context->get_top( ). data: my_skip type string.
my_skip = io_tech_request_context->get_skip( ). | Yes |
| In case if we had association and navigation between 2 entities | IT_NAVIGATION_PATH | DATA: my_nav_path type /iwbep/t_mgw_tech_navi.
my_nav_path = io_tech_request_context->get_navigation_path( ). | Yes |
2) Read Operation
Now let’s implement GET_ENTITY method. Go to method USERCOLLECTION_GET_ENTITY and redefine it. Below is the minimal code that we need to have in this method.
We need to read the key values passed from query URI and then fill the export parameter ER_ENTITY.
METHOD usercollection_get_entity.
DATA: ls_key_tab TYPE /iwbep/s_mgw_name_value_pair,
lv_userid TYPE zuserinfo-userid,
ls_userinfo TYPE zuserinfo.
*Get the key property values
READTABLE it_key_tab WITHKEY name = 'UserID'INTO ls_key_tab.
lv_userid = ls_key_tab-value.
*Get the single record from ZUSERINFO and fill ER_ENTITY
SELECTSINGLE * FROM zuserinfo INTO ls_userinfo WHERE userid = lv_userid.
IF sy-subrc = 0.
er_entity-userid = ls_userinfo-userid.
er_entity-firstname = ls_userinfo-firstname.
er_entity-lastname = ls_userinfo-lastname.
er_entity-email = ls_userinfo-email.
er_entity-phone = ls_userinfo-phone.
er_entity-country = ls_userinfo-country.
ENDIF.
ENDMETHOD.
Here IO_TECH_REQUEST_CONTEXT refers to /IWBEP/IF_MGW_REQ_ENTITY
| OData Query | Method Parameter | Alternative way to get the value | Coding required to implement Query Operation |
|---|
| UserCollection(UserID='Test') OR UserCollection('Test' | IT_KEY_TAB | DATA: lt_keys TYPE /iwbep/t_mgw_tech_pairs.
lt_keys = io_tech_request_context->get_keys( ). | Yes |
| In case if we had association and navigation between 2 entities | IT_NAVIGATION_PATH | DATA: my_nav_path type /iwbep/t_mgw_tech_navi.
my_nav_path = io_tech_request_context->get_navigation_path( ). | Yes |
UserCollection('Test')?$select=FirstName,LastName | No | DATA: my_select_fields TYPE /iwbep/t_mgw_tech_field_names.
my_select_fields = io_tech_request_context->get_select( ). | No |
| UserCollection('Test')?$format=json | No | No | No |
Also note that you cannot use system query options else you will get an error as System query options '$orderby,$skip,$top,$skiptoken,$inlinecount,' are not allowed in the requested URI
3) Create Operation
Now we will focus on create operation by redefining method USERCOLLECTION_CREATE_ENTITY. Below is the code that will perform POST operation.
Here we are reading the request data and then filling the exporting parameter ER_ENTITY.
METHOD usercollection_create_entity.
DATA: ls_request_input_data TYPE zcl_zuserinfo_mpc=>ts_user,
ls_userinfo TYPE zuserinfo.
* Read Request Data
io_data_provider->read_entry_data(IMPORTING es_data = ls_request_input_data ).
* Fill workarea to be inserted
ls_userinfo-userid = ls_request_input_data-userid.
ls_userinfo-firstname = ls_request_input_data-firstname.
ls_userinfo-lastname = ls_request_input_data-lastname.
ls_userinfo-email = ls_request_input_data-email.
ls_userinfo-phone = ls_request_input_data-phone.
ls_userinfo-country = ls_request_input_data-country.
* Insert Data in table ZUSERINFO
INSERT zuserinfo FROM ls_userinfo.
IF sy-subrc = 0.
er_entity = ls_request_input_data."Fill Exporting parameter ER_ENTITY
ENDIF.
ENDMETHOD.
To test POST operation, 1st execute GET operation and then press Use as Request button which will copy the response to request window and then select operation POST and execute.
In case you execute GET operation i.e. GET_ENITITYSET and then try to perform POST operation then you will get below kind of error. Hence make sure that you execute GET to read single entity i.e. GET_ENTITY operation and then perform POST.
![gw14.jpg]()
So correct steps are,
1) Execute GET to read single entity /sap/opu/odata/sap/ZUSERINFO_SRV/UserCollection('Test')
2) Click Use as Request button
3) Update your request properties.
4) Select HTTP method as POST
5) Query as /sap/opu/odata/sap/ZUSERINFO_SRV/UserCollection and execute
![gw15.jpg]()
Here IO_TECH_REQUEST_CONTEXT refers to /IWBEP/IF_MGW_REQ_ENTITY_C
| OData Query | Method Parameter | Coding required to implement Query Operation |
|---|
| /sap/opu/odata/sap/ZUSERINFO_SRV/UserCollection | DATA: ls_request_input_data TYPE zcl_zuserinfo_mpc=>ts_user.
io_data_provider->read_entry_data( IMPORTING es_data = ls_request_input_data ). | Yes |
In case of Create operation, you cannot use system query options else you will get an error as
The Data Services Request contains SystemQueryOptions that are not allowed for this Request Type
This error message comes from method PROCESS_ENTITY_SET (/IWCOR/CL_DS_PROC_DISPATCHER). Just in case if you are curious and want to know![]()
4) Update Operation
Now we will implement update operation by redefining method USERCOLLECTION_UPDATE_ENTITY. We need to put below code in this method.
METHOD usercollection_update_entity.
DATA: ls_request_input_data TYPE zcl_zuserinfo_mpc=>ts_user,
ls_key_tab TYPE /iwbep/s_mgw_name_value_pair,
lv_userid TYPE zuserinfo-userid,
ls_userinfo TYPE zuserinfo.
* Get key values
READTABLE it_key_tab WITHKEY name = 'UserID'INTO ls_key_tab.
lv_userid = ls_key_tab-value.
IF lv_userid ISNOTINITIAL.
* Read request data
io_data_provider->read_entry_data(IMPORTING es_data = ls_request_input_data ).
* Update fields of table ZUSERINFO
UPDATE zuserinfo SET firstname = ls_request_input_data-firstname
lastname = ls_request_input_data-lastname
email = ls_request_input_data-email
phone = ls_request_input_data-phone
country = ls_request_input_data-country
WHERE userid = lv_userid.
IF sy-subrc = 0.
er_entity = ls_request_input_data."Fill exporting parameter ER_ENTITY
ENDIF.
ENDIF.
ENDMETHOD.
Here also first we need to execute GET operation to read the entity and then copy the response to request using Use as Request button and execute PUT operation after editing required data. Successful HTTP response will look as below with status code as 204.
![gw16.jpg]()
Here IO_TECH_REQUEST_CONTEXT refers to /IWBEP/IF_MGW_REQ_ENTITY_U
| OData Query | Method Parameter | Alternative way to get the value | Coding required to implement Query Operation |
|---|
| UserCollection('Test1') | IT_KEY_TAB | DATA: lt_keys TYPE /iwbep/t_mgw_tech_pairs, ls_key TYPE /iwbep/s_mgw_tech_pair. lt_keys = io_tech_request_context->get_keys( ). | Yes |
| UserCollection('Test1') | IO_DATA_PROVIDER | io_data_provider->read_entry_data( IMPORTING es_data = ls_request_input_data ). | Yes |
5) Delete Operation
To implement Delete operation, you need to execute DELETE HTTP method for particular key. Below is the code for method USERCOLLECTION_DELETE_ENTITY.
Here we are reading key value of the record to be deleted and executing Delete statement.
METHOD usercollection_delete_entity.
DATA: ls_key_tab TYPE /iwbep/s_mgw_name_value_pair,
lv_userid TYPE zuserinfo-userid.
* Read key values
READ TABLE it_key_tab INTO ls_key_tab WITHKEY name = 'UserID'.
lv_userid = ls_key_tab-value.
IF lv_userid ISNOTINITIAL.
* Delete record from table ZUSERINFO
DELETEFROM zuserinfo WHERE userid = lv_userid.
ENDIF.
ENDMETHOD.
On successful record deletion, you will see HTTP response code as 204.
![gw17.jpg]()
Here IO_TECH_REQUEST_CONTEXT refers to /IWBEP/IF_MGW_REQ_ENTITY_D
| OData Query | Method Parameter | Alternative way to get the value | Coding required to implement Query Operation |
|---|
| UserCollection('Test1') | IT_KEY_TAB | DATA: lt_keys TYPE /iwbep/t_mgw_tech_pairs, ls_key TYPE /iwbep/s_mgw_tech_pair. lt_keys = io_tech_request_context->get_keys( ). | Yes |
6) Function Import
As per SAP documentation, Function Imports - SAP NetWeaver Gateway Foundation (SAP_GWFND) - SAP Library
The Open Data Protocol (OData) includes standard CRUD (Create, Retrieve, Update, and Delete) operations that map to the HTTP methods POST, GET, PUT/MERGE, and DELETE.
In addition, OData supports further service operations (function imports) that can be invoked by the HTTP methods GET or POST for anything that cannot be mapped to the standard CRUD operations. You can implement such additional service operations in the Service Builder by creating function imports within your data model.
For example, you could create function imports for the following custom operations:
- Confirm Work Item
- Check Flight Availability
While it is simple to create new function imports to invoke custom operations, if the operation you want to use can be invoked using a standard CRUD operation, you should not create a function import. That is, you should only create function imports for custom operations that cannot be invoked using a standard operation.
In simple terms, if an operation cannot fit into CRUD scenario then you can perform it by function import.
Suppose our ZUSERINFO table looks like below,
![gw18.jpg]()
And we want to get users by specific country then we can implement function import. Let’s call our function import as UsersByCountry!
Right click on Data model and create function import. Provide proper name. Again refer Creating High-Quality OData Services - SAP NetWeaver Gateway Foundation (SAP_GWFND) - SAP Library
![gw19.jpg]()
Provide required details such as mentioned below. Remember here we want to return collection of users and hence we selected Return cardinality as 0..n with return entity set and HTTP method type as GET.
![gw20.jpg]()
Now click on Function Import parameters and create import parameters as shown below. In this case we just want to pass value of country and hence we will have one parameter as Country.
![gw21.jpg]()
Finally save project, check project consistency and generate runtime objects. To check if everything is fine, in GW client execute service metadata URL as /sap/opu/odata/sap/ZUSERINFO_SRV/$metadata which should show you function import definition in metadata as below,
![gw22.jpg]()
Now we will implement function import operation. Go to DPC_EXT class and redefine method /IWBEP/IF_MGW_APPL_SRV_RUNTIME~EXECUTE_ACTION.
Put below code to implement function import.
METHOD /iwbep/if_mgw_appl_srv_runtime~execute_action.
DATA: ls_parameter TYPE /iwbep/s_mgw_name_value_pair,
lv_country TYPE string,
lt_userinfo TYPETABLEOF zuserinfo,
ls_userinfo TYPE zuserinfo,
ls_entity TYPE zcl_zuserinfo_mpc=>ts_user,
lt_entityset TYPE zcl_zuserinfo_mpc=>tt_user.
IF iv_action_name = 'UsersByCountry'." Check what action is being requested
IF it_parameter ISNOTINITIAL.
* Read Function import parameter value
READTABLE it_parameter INTO ls_parameter WITHKEY name = 'Country'.
IF sy-subrc = 0.
lv_country = ls_parameter-value.
ENDIF.
IF lv_country ISNOTINITIAL.
SELECT * FROM zuserinfo INTOTABLE lt_userinfo WHEREcountry = lv_country.
LOOPAT lt_userinfo INTO ls_userinfo .
ls_entity-userid = ls_userinfo-userid.
ls_entity-firstname = ls_userinfo-firstname.
ls_entity-lastname = ls_userinfo-lastname.
ls_entity-email = ls_userinfo-email.
ls_entity-phone = ls_userinfo-phone.
ls_entity-country = ls_userinfo-country.
APPEND ls_entity TO lt_entityset.
ENDLOOP.
* Call methos copy_data_to_ref and export entity set data
copy_data_to_ref(EXPORTING is_data = lt_entityset
CHANGING cr_data = er_data ).
ENDIF.
ENDIF.
ENDIF.
ENDMETHOD.
To test function import we need to query as /sap/opu/odata/sap/ZUSERINFO_SRV/UsersByCountry?Country='US'
If there are multiple parameters then it will be separated by comma.
![gw23.jpg]()
Here IO_TECH_REQUEST_CONTEXT refers to /IWBEP/IF_MGW_REQ_FUNC_IMPORT
| OData Query | Method Parameter | Alternative way to get the value | Coding required to implement Query Operation |
|---|
| /sap/opu/odata/sap/ZUSERINFO_SRV/UsersByCountry?Country='US' | IT_PARAMETER | DATA: my_parameter TYPE /iwbep/t_mgw_name_value_pair.
my_parameter = io_tech_request_context->get_parameters( ). | Yes |
This is very simple example of an OData service. In real case scenarios, you will have multiple entities, relationship, association and navigation between them but when it comes to coding in DPC_EXT class methods, you will find above explanation of each method, parameters and alternative way to get the parameter values useful.
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog and now ready to develop your OData service! I request you toput comments/suggestions. Please feel free if you have any different thought to improve any part of this blog as well.
Happy Learning & Coding![]()
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developers had registerd for this event so that it was necessary to split the audience for the key notes in two rooms.
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