What is SAP Cloud Application Programming Model (CAP)?
The SAP Cloud Application Programming Model is a framework designed by SAP to facilitate the development of enterprise-grade services and applications on the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP).
CAP streamlines the development process by providing a unified set of tools, languages, and libraries, combining SAP technologies with popular open-source frameworks.
Why SAP Cloud Application Programming Model?
SAP BTP provides two key programming models for building enterprise applications:
- ABAP RESTful Application Programming Model (RAP)
Purpose: RAP is designed for building cloud-ready business applications, services, and extensions on SAP BTP, ABAP environment, SAP S/4HANA Cloud, and SAP S/4HANA 1909 and higher.
Key Features:
- RAP offers a standardised development flow based on Core Data Services (CDS)
- Modernised and extended ABAP language
- Concept of business objects (BO), and Business Services.
- Eclipse-based ABAP Development Tools (ADT) for efficient development.
Use Cases:
- Ideal for building new ABAP-based applications for SAP S/4HANA, SAP S/4HANA Cloud, and SAP BTP.
- Recommended for developing full-fledged and upgrade-stable extensions on SAP S/4HANA or SAP S/4HANA Cloud.
- RAP can be used to develop various types of services, local APIs, and business events, such as OData-based services for UI development to build responsive and draft-enabled SAP Fiori apps.
- Best suited for businesses leveraging existing ABAP expertise.
- SAP Cloud Application Programming Model (CAP)
Purpose: CAP simplifies enterprise application development by integrating SAP and open-source technologies. It is designed to reduce development effort by handling repetitive tasks like security and user management.
Key Features:
- CAP supports Java, Node.js, and SQLite, allowing developers to use familiar tools.
- It connects effortlessly with SAP HANA Cloud, SAP Fiori, SAP Business Application Studio, and Core Data Services (CDS).
- CAP provides a structured, standardised approach to developing scalable cloud applications.
- UI development flexibility: SAP Fiori Elements, React, Vue.js, or other front-end frameworks
Use Cases:
- CAP is suitable for scenarios where you need to develop modern, cloud-native applications with reduced development effort.
- Best for businesses that want to integrate SAP and open-source technologies while maintaining flexibility in language support and seamless SAP integration.
Choosing the Right Framework
- ABAP RAP: Suitable for scenarios where you need to develop cloud-ready ABAP-based applications that require integration with SAP S/4HANA environments. It is ideal for businesses with strong ABAP expertise and a need to leverage existing ABAP assets.
- SAP CAP: Suitable for scenarios where you need to develop modern, cloud-native applications with reduced development effort. It is ideal for businesses looking to integrate SAP and open-source technologies and requiring flexibility in language support and seamless SAP integration.
CAP integrates proven open-source technologies and SAP’s enterprise solutions, offering a robust development framework. It supports both Node.js and Java runtimes, allowing developers to choose based on their expertise and project requirements.
- Node.js Runtime: CAP offers a rich SDK based on Express.js, a widely used web application framework for Node.js.
- Java Runtime: CAP supports Spring Framework, catering to enterprises with strong Java expertise.
- Development Environments: CAP applications can be developed using SAP Business Application Studio (BAS) or Visual Studio Code (VS Code).
- Core Data Services (CDS): The backbone of CAP, CDS is a modeling language that helps define domain models and service definitions.
- Database Support: CAP seamlessly integrates with SAP HANA Cloud for production and SQLite for lightweight local development.
- Service SDKs: CAP provides pre-built libraries to enable authentication, authorisation, and integration with SAP services.
- SAP Fiori Support: CAP applications can leverage SAP Fiori Elements for UI development, but they can also be consumed using other front-end frameworks like React or Vue.js.
Choosing the Right Tools
Runtime Environment: Node.js vs Java
Both Node.js and Java are supported, and the choice depends on:
- Node.js: Best for lightweight applications, quick development cycles, and leveraging the vast ecosystem of npm packages.
- Java: Ideal for enterprise applications requiring robust backend capabilities and leveraging Spring Boot.
Development Tools: BAS vs VSCode
Choosing between SAP Business Application Studio (BAS) and Visual Studio Code (VS Code) depends on the project needs and developer preferences:
- Use SAP Business Application Studio (BAS) when:
- You need a cloud-based, pre-configured development environment with built-in SAP integrations.
- You want to minimise setup time and have ready-to-use dev spaces for CAP development.
- You prefer a managed environment where updates and tools are handled by SAP.
- You are working on SAP BTP-hosted applications and need seamless integration with SAP services.
- Use Visual Studio Code (VS Code) when:
- You prefer a locally installed, lightweight, and highly customisable IDE.
- You are comfortable setting up CAP manually by installing Node.js, SQLite, Java, Maven, and CDS development tools.
- You require greater control over the development environment and use additional non-SAP tools.
- You need offline development capabilities without relying on cloud-based services.
Working with Core Data Services (CDS)
CDS allows developers to define both data models and services in a declarative way.
Key benefits include:
- Automatic generation of database schemas
- Seamless integration with OData services
- Faster development cycles by reducing manual configurations
SAP Cloud Application Programming Model simplifies enterprise application development by combining SAP technologies with popular open-source frameworks like Node.js, Express, Java, and Spring Boot. By leveraging CDS, Service SDKs, and Fiori Elements, developers can build scalable, efficient, and maintainable cloud applications.
At On Device Solutions, we specialise in helping businesses make the most of SAP technologies, including the SAP Cloud Application Programming Model (CAP).
Whether you’re building modern cloud-native applications or integrating existing systems into SAP BTP, our team of experts can guide you through the design, development, and deployment process.
Get in touch here to explore how we can support your SAP enterprise mobility journey.
