Extending the SAP CCO Configuration Menu: A Detailed Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

The ability to extend and customize SAP systems through plugins provides companies with a powerful tool to efficiently address specific requirements. In this guide, I will walk you through the development of the Additional Tab in Config plugin, which adds an extra tab to the SAP-CCO configuration interface. This tab is designed to display and manage SAP partner data. The approach outlined here can also be applied to many other use cases where an additional tab in this interface is needed, such as configuring a more complex plugin.

We will go through each step in detail, explain the techniques used, and provide comprehensive code documentation so you can fully understand the concepts and apply them directly in your project.

This guide is suitable for both developers new to the SAP environment and experienced developers alike.

If you don't have any prior experience with CCO plugin development, I recommend exploring additional resources like sap-customer-checkout-plugin-development? to gain deeper insights into the topic of plugin development.

1. The MainClass: Central Control of the Plugin

The MainClass is the core of the plugin. Here, you define the fundamental properties of the plugin and implement key functionalities such as JavaScript injection and HTTP request handling.

Step 1.1: Creating the MainClass

Start by creating a new Java class named MainClass that extends BasePlugin. This class will be the central hub for all core functions of your plugin.

Explanation:

• Inheritance from BasePlugin: By inheriting from BasePlugin, your plugin seamlessly integrates with the SAP plugin infrastructure.
• Providing Metadata: The methods getId, getName, and getVersion provide essential information about your plugin.

Step 1.2: Injecting JavaScript into SAP Screens

JavaScript injection allows you to embed custom scripts into specific SAP screens, enabling dynamic UI enhancements or the provision of additional functionality.

Explanation:

• @JSInject Annotation: This annotation allows you to inject JavaScript code into specific SAP screens.
• Returning an InputStream: The method returns an InputStream that contains the JavaScript to be embedded into the respective screen.

2. JavaScript Integration: Extending the User Interface

Now we have the ability to inject custom JS code, and we will create it now.

Step 2.1: Creating the JavaScript File

First, create a new JavaScript file that contains the code to extend the user interface. This file will be injected into the SAP system to dynamically manipulate the UI.

Step 2.2: Preparing for Dynamic Tab Creation

Use jQuery's ready() function to ensure the script runs once the document is fully loaded.

Step 2.3: Defining the Tab Header

Define the HTML structure for the new tab header.

Step 2.4: Appending the Tab Header to the UI

Now append the tabHeader to the tab navigation menu in the UI.

Step 2.5: Creating the Tab Content Structure

Define the HTML structure for the tab content.

Step 2.6: Appending the Tab Content to the UI

Append the tabContent to the configuration tab container in the UI.

Step 2.7: Populating the Tab with Backend Data

Use the following function to populate the form fields with data from the backend.

Step 2.8: Triggering the Tab Creation with Backend Data

Finally, use AJAX to retrieve the backend data and pass it to the addNewTab function.

3. Handling HTTP Requests

Now that the user interface is fully set up and the user can modify data, the next crucial step is connecting these changes to the backend.

3.1 PluginServletHandler: Central Request Processing

The PluginServletHandler is a crucial component of your plugin, responsible for handling HTTP requests. Here, you separate the logic for GET and POST requests and ensure that these requests are processed correctly.

Step 3.2: Creating the PluginServletHandler Class

Start by creating a final class PluginServletHandler that serves as the central point for processing HTTP requests.

Explanation:

• Static handleRequest Method: This method is the central point where all HTTP requests are processed.
• Preventing Instantiation: The private constructor ensures that the class cannot be instantiated.

Step 3.3: Processing POST Requests

Processing POST requests is essential for receiving data from the frontend and storing it in the database.

Explanation:

• JSON Processing: The processPostRequest method reads the incoming data as JSON and converts it into a PartnerDataDTO object.
• Database Operations: The table is created if it does not exist, and the data is either inserted or updated.

Step 3.4: Processing GET Requests

GET requests are typically used to retrieve data from the backend and return it to the frontend.

Explanation:

• Data Retrieval: The processGetRequest method uses the PartnerDataDAO to retrieve the necessary data from the database.

4. PartnerDataDAO: Data Access Layer

The PartnerDataDAO manages access to the database and implements methods for creating the necessary tables, as well as for inserting and updating records.

Step 4.1: Creating the PartnerDataDAO Class

Create an enum PartnerDataDAO that functions as a Singleton and encapsulates database access.

Explanation:

• Singleton Pattern: By using an enum as a Singleton, you ensure that there is only one instance of PartnerDataDAO responsible for database access.

Step 4.2: Table Management

Implement methods for creating and managing database tables.

Explanation:

• Table and Index Creation: The createTable method creates the necessary database table if it does not exist.

Step 4.3: Inserting and Updating Data

Implement the upsert method to either insert or update data as needed.

Explanation:

• upsert Method: This method checks if an entry exists in the table. If so, the entry is updated; otherwise, a new entry is created. This ensures that there is always only one entry in the database, which makes sense for this example. However, in other use cases, it might be necessary to create a new entry each time.

Step 4.4: Retrieving Data

Implement a method to retrieve data from the database.

Explanation:

• Data Query: The getPartnerData method retrieves data from the table and returns it as a PartnerDataDTO.

5. PartnerDataDTO: Data Transfer Object

The PartnerDataDTO serves as a container for the data that is transferred between the various layers of your application.

Step 5.1: Creating the PartnerDataDTO Class

Create a simple Java class PartnerDataDTO that contains all relevant data fields and their corresponding getter and setter methods.

Explanation:

• DTO Pattern: The PartnerDataDTO serves as a Data Transfer Object.

6. Conclusion

In this guide, we walked through each step of creating an SAP plugin that extends the SAP-CCO configuration interface. With a clear structure and the application of modern web technologies, we developed a robust solution that is both flexible and user-friendly. The techniques and examples presented here provide a solid foundation for developing your own plugins to fully leverage your SAP environment.

Autor Michael Reuscher

Source https://community.sap.com/t5/crm-and-cx-blogs-by-members/extending-the-sap-cco-configuration-menu-a-detailed-step-by-step-guide/ba-p/13865155