Web Dynpro
Encyclopedia
Web Dynpro is a proprietary web application user interface technology developed by SAP AG
and exists in a Java
(Web Dynpro for Java, WDJ or WD4J) and an ABAP
(Web Dynpro ABAP, WDA) flavor. Both have in general the same functionality, but usually one flavor is improved after the other, so temporary one flavor is more advanced than the other. Hence, the decision for one of the two flavors is based on organizational and business circumstances, but not on functionality.
WD follows an adapted MVC pattern and a model driven development approach ("minimize coding, maximize design") with a large number of dedicated hooks in generated code to place custom coding. It is intended for business applications that follow standardized UI principles, connect to backend systems and be scalable.
The designtime and runtime environment is part of SAP NetWeaver 7.0 (also known as Netweaver 2004s) and following releases.
The name comes after the original Dynpro library, whose name meant "Dynamic Program"
SAP AG
SAP AG is a German software corporation that makes enterprise software to manage business operations and customer relations. Headquartered in Walldorf, Baden-Württemberg, with regional offices around the world, SAP is the market leader in enterprise application software...
and exists in a Java
Java (programming language)
Java is a programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform. The language derives much of its syntax from C and C++ but has a simpler object model and fewer low-level facilities...
(Web Dynpro for Java, WDJ or WD4J) and an ABAP
ABAP
ABAP , is a high-level programming language created by the German software company SAP...
(Web Dynpro ABAP, WDA) flavor. Both have in general the same functionality, but usually one flavor is improved after the other, so temporary one flavor is more advanced than the other. Hence, the decision for one of the two flavors is based on organizational and business circumstances, but not on functionality.
WD follows an adapted MVC pattern and a model driven development approach ("minimize coding, maximize design") with a large number of dedicated hooks in generated code to place custom coding. It is intended for business applications that follow standardized UI principles, connect to backend systems and be scalable.
Main advantages of Web Dynpro over other technologies
- typed access for design time checks, e.g. navigation links and messages are accessed via types instead of string keys like in JSFJavaServer FacesJavaServer Faces is a Java-based Web application framework intended to simplify development integration of web-based user interfaces....
- diverse services for backend access, like aRFC, JEE and Web Service data models
- integration with SAP Interactive Forms by Adobe, which are interactive PDF forms, during design (same IDE) and run time (data sharing)
- integration with business process management and business rules management (since NetWeaver CE 7.1 EHP 1)
- designed to support development big scale applications by adding multiple grouping layers on top of Java packages (DCs, SCs, products)
- runs on different clients e.g. web browser, mobile device, widget engine
- comes with a big collection of UI elements providing a wealth of functionality and only have to be configured but not programmed
Main disadvantages
- proprietary, running only on SAP servers
- less flexible due to support for multiple clients (i.e. custom html is not possible). To reduce the limitations, several measures have been taken. For example, WD supports so-called "islands" for e.g. flash applications that enrich the Web Dynpro UI element collection by rich UI elements. This disadvantage doesn't seem so serious but in fact basic features that user expect to receive cannot be implemented (e.g. coloured rows in table, colours in general, advanced aligning of simple UI elements (due to nonexistence of more complicated ones), selecting multiple rows in tree-like tables (this is due to preserving basic concept of WD) and many more). Having the flash feature means that developer completely avoids WD UI (And thus cannot use other features).
- rendering speed in browser for larger tables (>1000 rows)
- renders improperly in any browser but Internet Explorer (not compatible with Explorer 9)
The designtime and runtime environment is part of SAP NetWeaver 7.0 (also known as Netweaver 2004s) and following releases.
The name comes after the original Dynpro library, whose name meant "Dynamic Program"
External links
- Web Dynpro Java on SAP Developer Network (SDN)SAP Developer NetworkSAP Developer Network is an online community for SAP developers. It is a resource and collaboration channel for SAP developers, architects, consultants and integrators. SDN Hosts forums, expert blogs, a technical library, downloads, a code gallery, Elearning catalog , a Wiki and more...
- Web Dynpro ABAP on SAP Developer Network (SDN)SAP Developer NetworkSAP Developer Network is an online community for SAP developers. It is a resource and collaboration channel for SAP developers, architects, consultants and integrators. SDN Hosts forums, expert blogs, a technical library, downloads, a code gallery, Elearning catalog , a Wiki and more...