Using SAP BASIS as Middleware Between the ABAP and OS

SAP BASIS is often used by developers and designers for creating a bridge between the advanced business application programming; ABAP in short; and OS or the computer operating software. It works as the middleware between the two components. Some people tend to confuse the ABAP with the SAP BASIS but there are fundamental differences between the two.

Difference between SAP BASIS and ABAP

Basically, the R/2 systems are mainframe based. However, SAP invented the process of transporting the same to their client-server environment. In order to achieve this objective, they created the SAP BASIS application. It enables the ABAP/4 code on different platforms which the app did not have the capability to do originally. Usually, the ABAP/4 programs cannot directly run on one of the operating systems like Linux or Windows etc. It needs a number of programs to do so. These collections of programs are known as the BASIS without which the ABAP/4 programs cannot run on any operating system.

Installing SAP BASIS

For installing the SAP BASIS, the installer has to run a program called the “r3inst” at command prompt level of the operating system on which it is used. It creates one of the directory structures and copies the set of executables into it. For example; the directory structure for the Windows operating system may consist of program files, windows, and it will copy sets of executables into the directory. The core feature of the system is that the ABAP/4 programs run effectively with the protective environment offered by the BASIS structure. Executables created and stored in the system are not the ones that would run on the operating system. Instead, they would run on the system when the BASIS would read the ABAP/4 code and would interpret it.

Understanding SAP BASIS

SAP BASIS replicates the operating system and provides a platform for the SAP applications running. It helps use the entire range of SAP applications. It is necessary understanding the differences between developer trace, system log and the system traces.

• System trace is used to record internal SAP system activities and for diagnosing the internal problems with SAP system and host system


• System log is used to identify the recent logs for application server and CI


• Developer trace is used to record technical information about as well as errors and problems that are encountered. Its basic purpose is problem analysis

Analyzing Problems in SAP BASIS

Like every other application and platform, it is necessary analyzing the problems in SAP BASIS.For such problem analysis, it would be necessary –

• Checking the latest status of the database


• Analyzing the implementation and problems relating to SAP services


• Checking effectively the SAP management console including the dispatcher, IGS as well as the Message Server


• Finding out the trace root on the basis points at the SAP based applications and the database


• Checking for the network connectivity and resolving the related problems

Private Mode and OSPS

There are certain terminologies that require the attention of the end users in case of SAP BASIS. For instance; private mode refers to the method where the heap data is allocated by the user in an exclusive way. There are not shared across the available systems. It usually happens when the extended memory is exhausted.  Similarly; two users are created in the SAP systems that are known as the OPSS ADM and the OPSS SAP services in the process. They are created in order to connect and communicate with the database internally. They are user mechanisms for connecting with user databases internally.

RFC and Transactional RFC

It is also expedient understanding the differences between RFC and Transactional RFC. The Remote Function Cell or RFC is the mechanism that helps communication as well as exchanges information between different SAP systems. RFC can be synchronous, asynchronous, transactional and queued.  Transactional RFC is the one when multiple requests for the same transaction is identified and carried out as one.

In this manner, the SAP BASIS works as the bridge between the ABAP and OS.