Background Processing Framework (bgPF) in ABAP: A Developer’s Guide [ not finished ]

The Background Processing Framework (bgPF) in ABAP is a modern mechanism that enables controlled, consistent, and scalable background processing for critical business operations. Designed to address challenges in transactional consistency and reliability, bgPF is particularly suited for processes that require deferred or asynchronous execution.

The bgPF is available available in the cloud (ABAP Environment for SAP BTP and SAP S/4HANA) and on premise starting with releases 2023

The Problem: Consistency in Background Processes

In traditional ABAP development, ensuring data consistency across multiple database tables can be challenging, especially in complex transactions. Scenarios involving background processing often risk partial updates, leading to inconsistent data states.

The SAP LUW (Logical Unit of Work) concept addresses these challenges by ensuring that all operations in a transaction either succeed together (commit) or fail together (rollback). However, the classic SAP LUW required developers to manage consistency manually, often leading to inadvertent errors.

bgPF introduces a controlled SAP LUW with checks to enforce transactional consistency across background processes, making your applications more robust.

Technical Background

bgPF is built on the background Remote Function Call (bgRFC), which is a successor to tRFC and qRFC. The key difference is that bgPF wraps bgRFC, adding transactional control and integration capabilities.

How bgPF Works

1. The Modify Phase

During this phase:

• Data changes are collected in a transactional buffer.
• Only safe operations are allowed (e.g., ABAP SQL reads, validations). Example:

cl_abap_tx=>modify( ).
" Perform operations in the modify phase
MODIFY lt_table FROM ls_data.        

2. The Save Phase

Once all modifications are validated, data is committed to the database:

cl_abap_tx=>save( ).
" Persist data in the save phase
COMMIT WORK.
        

bgPF ensures that no implicit commits occur during the modify phase, preserving transactional integrity.

Getting Started with bgPF

Creating a Custom Destination for bgPF

For on-premise systems, creating a custom bgRFC destination allows you to control task priorities. Follow these steps:

1. Go to Transaction SBGRFCCONF.
2. Select Define Inbound Destinations.
3. Create a destination named BGPF.
4. Leave Logon/Server Group and Add Queue Prefix empty.
5. Save the destination.

Choose a scenarios: Controlled vs. Uncontrolled

Controlled Scenario

If you are working with a RAP application.

Uncontrolled Scenario?

If you are not working with a RAP application or do not want to ensure transactional consistency

... to be added

Best Practices with bgPF

Benefits of bgPF

Common Pitfalls and Solutions