Version Control for ABAP: Integrating abapGit with GitHub

Introduction to Git

In agile development landscape, version control is essential—even in the SAP world. Fortunately, abapGit makes it easy to integrate ABAP code with modern Git-based repositories like GitHub.

Whether you're a seasoned SAP developer or just starting with Git integration, this step-by-step guide will walk you through how to push your ABAP code to GitHub using abapGit. From setting up the repository to committing and pushing your changes, we’ve covered everything you need to start managing your ABAP code like a pro.

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Overview of abapGit

With SAP's ABAP development traditionally being confined to on-premisesystems, Git-based version control has revolutionized how developers collaborate and manage source code. abapGit bridges the gap between traditional SAPdevelopment and modern DevOps practices, facilitating easier ABAP repository management and continuous integration workflows. By leveraging abapGit, developers can:

• Track ABAP source code changes efficiently.
• Work collaboratively with teams using GitHub.
• Ensure smooth version control and rollback mechanisms.

Prerequisites

Before deploying ABAP code from SAP GUI to GitHub, ensure the following prerequisites are met:

• A functional SAP GUI environment with an ABAP system configured.
• Installed and configured abapGit repository in the SAP system.
• A GitHub account with an available repository to push ABAP code.
• Necessary ABAP development authorizations within SAP GUI.
• Enabled HTTPS connectivity for external Git repositories.

Step-by-step process to manage version control

Step - 1 : Create a GitHub repository

• Login / Signup into github.com.
• Create a new repository by clicking on New button.

• Enter a name and description and choose Private, check the check box Add a README file under Initialize this repository with : and clickCreate repository.

• Our repository is all set up for now for publishing the code.

Step - 2 : Install & Setup abapGit

• Open SAP GUI and navigate to SE38 (ABAP Editor).
• Check if you have installedabapGitbefore, youneed to go to SE38, search forZABAPGIT_STANDALONEprogramand pressExecute.

• If the program in not available in the system then you have to create a executableprogram in SE38 t-code with name : ZABAPGIT_STANDALONE,copy the code and try to save, activate and execute.

• Now abapGit is installed and can be accessed.

Step - 3 : Sync our GitHub with abapGit

• Back to your created repository and click Code and copy the URL of your repository.

• Go to program ZABAPGIT_STANDALONE and execute. Press the New Online.

• Paste the repository URL and click Create Package.

• Enter a name and a Short Description. The Software Component should be LOCAL. You do not need a Super package. Click Continue icon.

• In the new popup click Create Request icon on the left hand side of Own Requests, to create a new transport request.

• Enter a Short Description and click the Save icon.

• Click Continue icon.

• Now you have a new package and you can see your created package.Click Clone Online Repository.

• You will see the cloned Git repository in Repository List.

Step - 4 : Create ABAP Development Objects

Step - 5 : Stage and commit developed objects.

• Go back to the abapGit UI and click Refresh to see all developments objects that you created.

• Press Stage.

• Select single objects to add or Add all and commit.

• Enter committer name, committer e-mail and a comment and press Commit.

• You will be prompted with a credential’s popup. Enter your Git repository server credentials and click Execute.

• After everything went well, you can see the pushed ABAP objects in your Git repository.

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Now you can access the data globally without logging into SAP, thanks to the service/API integration. This setup simplifies external consumption and enhances scalability for various front-end or third-party applications.