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Module 21: AMDP (ABAP Managed Database Procedures)

AMDP (ABAP Managed Database Procedures) allow ABAP developers to write database-side logic in SQLScript, managed and lifecycle-controlled by ABAP.
AMDP is the last level of code pushdown when Open SQL or CDS is not sufficient.

1. What is AMDP?​

Definition​

AMDP allows ABAP classes to contain database procedures or functions that are:

  • Executed in the database (SAP HANA)
  • Written in SQLScript
  • Managed, activated, and transported via ABAP
Key Concept

AMDP code runs entirely on the database, not on the ABAP application server.

2. Why AMDP Exists​

Limitations of Open SQL & CDS​

  • Some calculations are too complex
  • Procedural logic required
  • Iterative processing at DB level
  • Performance-critical transformations

AMDP fills this gap.

SAP Recommendation

Use AMDP only when CDS or Open SQL cannot solve the problem cleanly.

3. AMDP Basics​

3.1 AMDP Class Definition​

An AMDP must be:

  • A global ABAP class
  • Implement interface IF_AMDP_MARKER_HDB
CLASS zcl_sales_amdp DEFINITION
  PUBLIC
  FINAL
  CREATE PUBLIC.

  PUBLIC SECTION.
    INTERFACES if_amdp_marker_hdb.

    CLASS-METHODS get_sales_data
      IMPORTING
        iv_year TYPE i
      EXPORTING
        et_data TYPE STANDARD TABLE.
ENDCLASS.

3.2 AMDP Method Implementation​

CLASS zcl_sales_amdp IMPLEMENTATION.

  METHOD get_sales_data
    BY DATABASE PROCEDURE
    FOR HDB
    LANGUAGE SQLSCRIPT
    OPTIONS READ-ONLY.

    et_data =
      SELECT company,
             SUM(amount) AS total_amount
        FROM zsales
        WHERE year = :iv_year
        GROUP BY company;

  ENDMETHOD.

ENDCLASS.
Syntax Note

  • : is used to reference ABAP parameters

  • SQLScript syntax applies inside the method

4. SQLScript Introduction​

What is SQLScript?

SQLScript is:

  • SAP HANA’s procedural SQL language

  • Supports variables, loops, conditions

  • Optimized for in-memory processing

Example SQLScript Logic

DECLARE lv_total DECIMAL(15,2);

lv_total :=
  SELECT SUM(amount)
    FROM zsales
    WHERE year = :iv_year;
SQLScript ≠ Open SQL

SQLScript is HANA-specific and not portable.

5. CDS Table Functions with AMDP​

CDS Table Functions combine:

  • CDS modeling

  • AMDP execution

5.1 CDS Table Function Definition​

define table function Z_TF_Sales
  returns {
    company : bukrs;
    total   : abap.curr(15,2);
  }
  implemented by method
    zcl_sales_amdp=>get_sales_tf;

5.2 AMDP Method for Table Function​

METHOD get_sales_tf
  BY DATABASE FUNCTION
  FOR HDB
  LANGUAGE SQLSCRIPT
  OPTIONS READ-ONLY.

  RETURN
    SELECT company,
           SUM(amount) AS total
      FROM zsales
      GROUP BY company;

ENDMETHOD.
Real-World Usage

CDS Table Functions are heavily used in:

  • Complex analytics

  • BW-like transformations

  • RAP data sources

6. Performance Use Cases for AMDP​

When AMDP Makes Sense​

  • Very large datasets

  • Complex transformations

  • Multiple aggregations

  • Procedural DB logic

  • BW-style processing

When AMDP Does NOT Make Sense​

Avoid AMDP When

  • Logic is simple

  • CDS can handle it

  • Readability suffers

  • Business logic is involved

  • Portability is required

7. Error Handling in AMDP​

AMDP does not support ABAP TRY…CATCH inside SQLScript.

7.1 SQLScript Error Handling​

  • Use conditional logic

  • Validate inputs

  • Raise errors explicitly

IF :iv_year < 2000 THEN
  SIGNAL SQL_ERROR 'Invalid year';
END IF;

7.2 Handling Errors in ABAP​

TRY.
    zcl_sales_amdp=>get_sales_data(
      iv_year = lv_year
      IMPORTING et_data = lt_data
    ).
  CATCH cx_amdp_execution_failed INTO DATA(lo_exc).
    MESSAGE lo_exc->get_text( ) TYPE 'E'.
ENDTRY.
Best Practice

Always handle CX_AMDP_EXECUTION_FAILED in ABAP.

8. AMDP vs CDS (Quick Decision Guide)​

ScenarioRecommendation
Simple joins & filtersCDS
AnalyticsCDS
Complex DB logicAMDP
Procedural processingAMDP
RAP data modelCDS first

9. Common Mistakes​

Avoid These

  • Writing business logic in AMDP

  • Using AMDP for simple SELECTs

  • Ignoring error handling

  • Overusing SQLScript loops

  • Forgetting portability impact

10. Summary​

  • AMDP executes logic in the database

  • Written in SQLScript

  • Managed via ABAP classes

  • Used for complex, performance-critical logic

  • CDS should be preferred where possible

  • Error handling must be explicit

11. Practice Exercises​

  • Create a simple AMDP procedure.

  • Implement a CDS table function using AMDP.

  • Compare CDS vs AMDP for a use case.

  • Handle an AMDP execution error in ABAP.

  • Refactor heavy ABAP logic into AMDP.

12. What’s Next?​

➡️ Module 22: Performance Optimization (HANA)

Learning Tip

AMDP is powerful—but powerful tools must be used sparingly and wisely.