SAP? ABAP?

Recently, I started learning ABAP and honestly, the timing couldn't have felt more perfect.

I got access to SAP Learning through the student free edition, which is a genuinely good resource if you want to learn SAP properly. And since I have a job interview coming up for a role related to SAP ABAP development, I figured it would be a waste not to make the most of it.

ABAP is still pretty new to me, but I'm slowly finding my footing. What surprised me early on is that it's not just about writing code. It's really about understanding how SAP systems handle business logic, reports, backend processes, database operations, and large-scale enterprise applications. There's a lot going on under the hood.

Right now I'm keeping my focus on the fundamentals like data types, internal tables, classes, and how ABAP interacts with SAP business data. One thing that's helped is having a programming background from my degree. Throughout university, the main language I used to learn data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented programming was Java. Since ABAP also follows OOP principles like classes, objects, encapsulation, and inheritance, a lot of the core concepts weren't completely foreign to me. Having that foundation made it easier to pick up the new syntax and patterns without starting from absolute zero. It's a good reminder that fundamentals really do carry over.

I'm also starting to realise that SAP development isn't just about the language itself. It's about understanding how business modules work behind the scenes.

I don't know yet which exact SAP module the role focuses on. It could be FICO, MM, SD, or something else entirely. But at least I now have a rough picture of what each one covers. FICO deals with finance and controlling, MM is around materials management and procurement, and SD handles sales and distribution. Having even that high-level awareness helps me think about how ABAP would actually be applied in a real business context.

I'm following SAP Learning's official ABAP learning journey here, which has been a solid guide so far.

One certification that caught my eye is the SAP Certified Backend Developer ABAP Cloud (Beta Version). What makes it interesting is that it uses an assessment-based format rather than the traditional question-based exam, which feels like a more practical way to demonstrate what you actually know.

My goal right now isn't to become an expert overnight. It's simpler than that: understand the basics properly, practice consistently, and build enough confidence to talk about what I know during the interview.

So that's the plan, one step at a time. Learning ABAP, getting familiar with SAP modules at a high level, making use of SAP Learning, and preparing myself as best I can.

Sometimes opportunities do come at the right time. I have access to the tools, I have a reason to learn, and I have a deadline to work towards. Might as well make the most of it.