??Debugging ABAP For Loop New Syntax ??

ABAP developers, rejoice! SAP has introduced an enhanced syntax for inline FOR loops, making your code more efficient and readable. Let's dive into this new feature and see how to debug it using step size and watch points. ??

?? New Inline FOR Loop Syntax

ABAP now allows the use of a step size within FOR loops, enabling more control over iterations. Here's a quick example:

BREAK-POINT.
DATA(result) = VALUE string_table(
  FOR i = 1 THEN i + 2 UNTIL i > 10
  ( `Item ` && i )
).        

In this snippet, the loop starts at 1, increments by 2 (i + 2), and stops when i exceeds 10. This syntax simplifies scenarios where you need non-standard increments. ??

??Setting a Watch Point

Debugging becomes crucial with the introduction of step sizes in loops. Here's how to use a watch point to monitor your variables effectively:

1. Open the Debugger: Run your program and enter the ABAP debugger (using /h in the command field before execution).
2. Set a Watch Point: In the debugger, go to the "Watchpoints" tab.
3. Specify the Variable: Enter the variable you want to monitor (e.g., i in our loop).
4. Run the Program: The debugger will halt execution each time the value of i changes, allowing you to inspect the loop's behavior.

??Step-by-Step Debugging

To further enhance debugging, you can step through the loop:

1. Step Size: In the loop definition, you already specified the step size (THEN i + 2) now click step size on debug screen.
2. Execute Step-by-Step: Use the "Step Over" (F6) and "Step Into" (F5) commands to navigate through each iteration of the loop.
3. Inspect Variables: Check the values of your variables at each step to ensure they are behaving as expected.

?? Debugging Tips

• Breakpoints: Use breakpoints at strategic points in your loop to pause execution and inspect the state.
• Variable Watch: Continuously monitor variables related to the loop for any unexpected behavior.
• Loop Boundaries: Ensure your loop boundaries (UNTIL i > 10) are correctly set to avoid infinite loops or premature exits.

By utilizing new inline FOR loop syntax with step size and watch points, you can write more concise ABAP code and debug it effectively. Happy coding! ???