Sap

ALE IDocs in SAP is a lot about configuration and a lot about

Tcodes . So if you have worked on at least one end to end scenario

in ALE IDocs in SAP , you probably already have answers to a lot of

questions.

Cheers!!

But if you haven't , make sure you do this exercise. There are plenty

of step by step guides to ALE IDocs available on the internet . Make

sure you read one understand it all the way . Sending IDoc from client

800 to say client 810 on the same server is easy . If possible ,Try an

exercise in which you send an IDoc from one system to another

system.

Lets get started . Hope you get some value in these pages :)

Question 1: What is ALE ?

ALE stands for Application Link Enabling. As it's name indicates , it

links two systems.

ALE is a technology that can enable exchange of data between two

different Systems ( Sap - Sap OR Sap - Non Sap). ALE technology

enables distributed yet integrated installation of SAP systems.

ALE architecture comprises of 3 layers :

Application layer refers to the application data ( SD , MM , FI or data

for any SAP application ) . In this layer the data is collected to be

distributed and then sent to the distribution layer.

Distribution layer determines to whom should the data generated by

the application layer has to be distributed i.e. it is in the distribution

layer that the recipient is determined , the data is formatted or filtered

SAP ALE IDocs interview questions and answers Part 1

ALE IDocs in SAP

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and then an actual is created.

Communication layer takes the responsibility of delivering the Idoc

to the receiving system and communicates to the receiving system

via tRFC , File ports , FTP or TCP/IP etc.

ALE uses IDoc as a vehicle to transfer data between two

systems.

Question 2: What is EDI ?

EDI stands for Electronic Data Interchange. It refers to the electronic

exchange of business data in a structured format between two

systems. The EDI subsystem generally converts the Idoc data into

one of the many EDI formats and generates an EDI file in an X12

format. The middleware then translates the X12 file to an IDOC

format and the IDOC is sent to the SAP system.

Question 3: What is an Idoc? What is IDoc Type? What is an

IDoc Extension ?

An IDoc (Intermediate document) is a vehicle that is used to transfer

data from one system to another.

IDoc is not a technology of some sort , but it is just a container that

holds data .

It holds data in a structured format i.e. in the Fields of the Segments.

IDoc Type vs. IDoc:

An IDoc Type is nothing but a collection of one or more structures

defined in a system with specific fields. It does not hold Data.

However, an IDoc is something that holds the values in the fields of the

structure defined by IDOC type.

The transaction code to view an IDoc type (Basic and extension) is

WE30.

Examples: ORDERS04, DEBMAS04, MATMAS04, CREMAS04.

These are all SAP standard Basic IDoc Types.

You can even have an IDoc extension in which you can use the existing

Basic IDoc type and add extra segments and fields to it. Usually we

extend an IDoc when the standard SAP IDoc type is not able to cater to

the business process.

Question 4: What are the types of records in SAP ALE Idocs and

where is this information stored ?

There are three types of records in SAP ALE Idocs:

SAP ALE IDocs i…




Control Records: Control record information for an IDoc is stored in

standard table EDIDC.

Data Records: Control record information for an IDoc is stored in

standard table EDIDD.

Status Records: Control record information for an IDoc is stored in

standard table EDIDS.

Question 5: What is an Idoc status? What are the different types of

Idoc statuses that you know ?

When an IDoc is sent from one system to another , it goes through

variuos stages.The IDoc status indicates the stage that the Idoc in

currently in.

There about 75 IDoc statuses.There is no way you can remember

those all .

Don't even try to ! You will probably remember only those on which

you have worked .

But here are a few that you should know:

0-49 indicates an Outbound IDoc and 50-75 as Inbound IDoc.

01 IDoc generated

02 Error passing data to port

03 Data passed to port OK

51 Application document not posted

52 Application document not fully posted

53 Application document posted

Question 6: What is a Port ? What are the types of Ports ?

A port is a communication channel through which Messages can be

sent or received in SAP .

The sender and the receiver both specify the port through which they

will communicate.

The common port types are the TRFC Port and the File Port.

If both sender and receiver mention TRFC ports, data is exchanged

via RFC connections.

If however , a file port is mentioned , the IDOC is written in a flat file

at the specified location at the sender system.Then a FTP transfer

should be done from that location to the receiver system or a

Middleware that will send the file to the receiver system.

The transaction to maintain ports is WE21.

SAP ALE IDocs i…




Question 7: What is a Message type and Idoc Type ? What is

the difference between Message type and an IDoc type?

A Message type and an IDoc type are closely related . In fact, you will

find that a Message type is always associated with an IDoc

type.Whereas an IDoc type is a detailed version with all the segments

and fields , a Message type is used just to specify the kind of

information that a system can send or receive to or from another

system.

So If system SAP1 has a Partner Profile where it specifies MATMAS

as an outbound message type , it just means that SAP1 can send

material master data to say system SAP2.

If system SAP1 has a Partner Profile where it specifies MATMAS as

an inbound message type , it just means that SAP1 can receive

material master data from say system SAP2.

What all fields can be sent and received will be specified in the IDoc

type.

Some other message types: DEBMAS( Customers), CREMAS

(Vendors) belong to the Master data.

The link between a message Type and an IDoc type is maintained in

Tcode WE82.

Question 8: What is a partner profile ? What are the types of partner

profiles ?

To be able to communicate with a partner via an IDoc interface, each

system needs to maintain a partner profile. A partner profile is a

mechanism by which the system can specify what kind of messages

(message types) it can send or receive.

Partner profiles can be maintained in WE20.

Question 9: What is a distribution model in ALE IDocs ?

The distribution model describes how ALE messages flow between

different logical systems.

You can mention the sender and receiver logical systems, the

message type to be distributed and also distribute data(IDocs) based

on certain conditions by using the distribution model.

The ALE layer uses the distribution model to control which

systems will receive the information(IDocs) and also filter the data

based on certain conditions.

Distribution Models can be created and maintained in transaction

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BD64.

Question 10: What are process codes ?

I don't want to make this post too big . So, I will stop here for the time

being.

Question 11: How do you Edit IDoc contents manually?

Question 12: Can you edit IDoc content for successful IDocs ?

No. You cannot.

Question 13: If you send an IDoc say 100008008 from system ECC1

to system ECC2, will the IDoc number in ECC2 be 100008008?

No. The next number from the IDoc number range in ECC2 will be

picked up.

Question 14: How do you read data from an IDoc in a program ?

Question 15: How do you send Idoc from a program ?

Question 16: How do you achieve filtering in a distribution model ?

Question 17: Can I create a flat file from an IDOC ? If Yes , How ?

Question 18: You want to create and send an IDOC to another the

moment a PO is created in your system . How will you achieve

this ?

Question 19: How to Reprocess Idocs in SAP?

Question 20: What is a change Pointer?

Question 21: What is serialization of Idocs?

Question 22: Important tcodes in ALE Idocs.

Question 23: Important programs in ALE Idocs:

Let me know if you find this post useful .

If yes, I will create ALE IDocs interview questions and answers

Part 2 . So put your comments below and let me know:

Posted 24th May 2012 by Amby

Labels: ALE IDocs

More interview questions on ALE IDocs :

28 View comments

Arc_SAP November 19, 2012 at 8:45 PM

It is really Helpful.Please create part 2 as well.

Reply

SAP ALE IDocs i…




Amby November 22, 2012 at 7:25 AM

glad that it helped .... Sure will post another blog with ALE IDoc details soon

Reply

saran kumar November 29, 2012 at 10:44 PM

VERY THANKFUL TO YOU FOR POSTING THIS QUESTIONS...GOOD ANSWERS

Reply

Singh December 30, 2012 at 3:58 PM

Some tutorial for EDI will be of great help if you can provide.

Reply

saimahesh January 21, 2013 at 7:37 AM

great work..

Reply

Kakoli February 12, 2013 at 9:28 PM

Sir , please add ALE IDocs interview questions and answers Part 2....Part 1 is very helpful...

Reply

Kakoli February 12, 2013 at 9:36 PM

Hello sir, one more thing i want to request u to add interview questions and answers of ABAP HR...

Reply

sanjaya February 28, 2013 at 10:25 PM

Hey bro thanks for this posting ...Its really very good post and useful.

Reply

pjay March 3, 2013 at 2:04 PM

It is indeed very helpful. I read through an ALE/IDoc document and these questions and answers summarize everything! Great work. Please continue to post more Q&A!

Reply

SAP ALE IDocs i…




raju March 14, 2013 at 12:22 AM

Ecorptrainings.com provides sap ale in hyderabad with best faculties on real time projects. We give the best online trainingamong the sap ale in Hyderabad. Classroom Training in Hyderabad India

Reply

vinodh swamy March 15, 2013 at 12:25 AM

pretty good.... hope you will add second part very soon.....

Reply

Sai Mahesh March 28, 2013 at 11:37 PM

very good info...............

Reply

bhaskar reddy April 7, 2013 at 10:36 AM

Reply

Khan April 24, 2013 at 2:45 AM

Good one.pls start adding next parts

Reply

�न�खल घाडगे June 23, 2013 at 5:49 AM

Good Job budyy...

Reply

ekta verma June 26, 2013 at 8:24 AM

very helpful...looking forward for next part soon

Reply

jijji July 15, 2013 at 11:17 AM

helloo....

Nice work...!!waiting for part 2...!!

Reply

SAP ALE IDocs i…




Anonymous August 6, 2013 at 4:13 AM

YES ITS NICE.....PREPARE PART2

Reply

meenakshi garg September 9, 2013 at 12:35 AM

IDOCs never ever seemed to be this simple for a beginner before reading this blog. Please create part 2 as well.

Thanks,Meenakshi

Reply

Anonymous September 16, 2013 at 3:04 PM

You made it so simple ! Thanks a ton !

Reply

Anonymous September 24, 2013 at 11:45 AM

Very good questions n very simple answers...thanks a lot...eagerly waiting for 2nd part...

Reply

Anonymous October 1, 2013 at 11:01 AM

Very Nice Please create Part2

Reply

Akshath LT October 17, 2013 at 9:26 PM

Yes. Please create part 2 as well. It is really Helpful.

Reply

Anonymous December 29, 2013 at 9:55 PM

Excellent work. waiting for part 2.

Reply

anil a February 1, 2014 at 10:13 PM

QUESTION NO.14ANS:Process code is used to read the Idoc data, it is a function module.question no.15.ANS: Port specifies the medium of transferring the data from one system to another system WE21 is the Tcode for defining a Port.Question no.16

SAP ALE IDocs i…




14

42

24

20

27

21

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Ans: Tcode is BD64 ,It contains the list of receivers who receives the data.Question no is.17Ans: Yes,That for Java mapping and abap mapping, the target data type (messag type) is just a dummy one, the real (XML)

recieve is the one (stream) produced by the java or abap mapping.Question no.19Ans:Use t.code BD87 to reprocess the IDOC.To find the IDOC number, you can use t.code WE05.Question no.21Ans: tcodes are SALE,WE20,WE21,BD64....

Reply

Venkata Bathula April 8, 2014 at 11:11 PM

Very helpful and got overall idea on IDocs..

Reply

Anil Kumar April 28, 2014 at 2:37 AM

Hey Ambi , very useful information ... would be great if you share PART2 as well.

Reply

Kripa Rangachari April 28, 2014 at 11:54 PM

Good one :)

Reply

SAP ALE IDocs i… 28


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