The picture to XML program is a converter which transforms picture files into XML spreadsheet format. So it is possible to load a picture as a real table in a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel or Apache OpenOffice Calc.
The converter is a console application and supports the picture formats JPG, PNG, BMP and TIF. The maximal size of a picture could be 1000 pixel width and 1000 pixel height. This size limit is necessary, because otherwise the size of the XML file is to big and it is for the spreadsheet programs not possible to load these file.
I developed this program in the context of my activities with abap2xlsx. To present the progress of the abap2xlsx implementation in our company I need some eye-catcher. So I searched around and one of the results was Excel Art. I am impressed about the idea to create pictures in a spreadsheet program. But I am no art-ist, so the idea for a converter was born. By the way, the colleagues are also impressed about Excel Art.
Pic2XML is a fun program, it has not really a business context - only to surprise and impress your colleagues.

Download of the Pic2XML converter (version 1.00 from 09.09.2018)

My Knowledge Collection

Things which move my world

Web UI Automatisierung

Mehr und mehr werden Desktop-Anwendungen durch Web-Applikationen ersetzt. Für Automatisierungsansätze empfiehlt sich die Selenium Tools Suite. Zum Betrieb von Selenium wird der Client mit seinen WebDriver Language Bindings benötigt. Weiterhin wird ein WebDriver für den Browser benötigt. Dieser ist natürlich abhängig vom verwendeten Browser.
Hinweis: Es ist unbedingt darauf zu achten in welcher Version der WebDriver vorliegt - x86 (PE L) oder x64 (PE d). In Abhängigkeit dazu ist das entsprechende Runtime Environment der Programmiersprache zu wählen. Der WebDriver für Chrome liegt beispielsweise nur in der x86 Version vor, so muss hier z.B. für Java die i586 Version des JDK verwendet werden.
Nach dem Beschaffen der notwendigen Komponenten kann mit dem vorliegenden Java-Beispielprogramm ein einfacher Test durchgeführt werden.

• Selenium
  
  
• Google Developers - Web
• Chrome Browser (Offline Installer)
• Chrome WebDriver or from Storage
• Chrome Web Store - Extensions
• Chrome Extension Downloader
  
  
• Mozilla Developer Network (MDN)
• Firefox Browser
• Mozilla Gecko WebDriver
• Firefox Add-ons
  
  
• Katalon Automation Recorder or from Chrome Web Store or from Firefox Add-ons
• Katalon Automation Recorder Overview
• Katalon Community and my profile at the Katalon Community
  
  
• Edge WebDriver
  
  
• Postman
• ECMAScript Compatibility Table
• W3Schools

Mobile Device Automatisierung

• Appium Desktop
• Appium Client Library (Selenium Webdriver extension for Appium)
• Selenium WebDriver (Supporting browser automation)
• Selenium WebDriver Support (Supporting Selenium WebDriver)
• Newtonsoft JSON (JSON framework for .NET)
• Castle Core (DynamicProxy, Logging Abstractions and DictionaryAdapter)

Native Windows Applikationsautomatisierung

• Windows Application Driver
  Hint: To use this driver you need the Appium client libraries. These are the same as mobile device automation above.

START, die Zukunft des SAP GUI Scripting?

Prakash Upadhyay von der SAP schrieb am 16.02.2017 in seinem Blog über das "Simple Test Automation for Regression Tests" (START) Framework. Hier eine zusammenfassende Übersetzung:
Bei START handelt es sich um ein UI Automation Framework zum Testen von Applikationen jeder SAP UI Technologie (FIORI, UI5, HTML GUI etc). START bietet einen generischen Ansatz zur Aufzeichnung von Benutzeraktivitäten und zur Erstellung von Testfällen, welche dann in unterschiedlichen Testphasen oder mit Testtypen zum Einsatz kommen können. Die Testfälle werden durch die Interaktion eines Benutzers mit der Applikation erzeugt. START unterstützt Applikationen welche im Rahmen FIORI, UI5, HTMLGUI etc. entwickelt wurden. START nutzt eCATT (extended Computer Aided Test Tool), Chrome WebDrivers, Selenium JAR files und andere DLLs zur Aufzeichnung von Benutzeraktivitäten in einem Browser auf der Windows-Plattform.
Mit START ist es nicht notwendig zu Programmieren, es ist ein absolutes Null coding test case Development Framework. Es nutzt das .NET Framework und den FIORI-Selenium WebDriver zum Aufzeichnen und Abspielen von Benutzeraktivitäten im Web UI. Die Testskripte, welche von der START-Engine erzeugt werden, werden auf dem Server gespeichert. Das reduziert die Ladezeiten für den Client und sorgt für eine Wiederverwendbarkeit der Tests. Die START Engine Utilities unterstützen dabei die Verwaltung, wobei auch eine Versionierung vorhanden ist. Entwickler können ihren Code in bestehende Tests einfügen. START hat eine Light-Client-Installation, die meisten Bibliotheken des Framework sind Server-seitig installiert. Als SAP internes Werkzeug besitzt START eine hohe Integration zum SAP-System und dem eCATT-Framework. START ist integriert in die SAP Test-Workbench, damit können die Testfälle später mit einem Debugger verarbeitet werden. START kann auf jedem Windows 64-bit System installiert werden.
Das START-Framework identifiziert die FIORI UI-Controls und speichert sie im Selenium-Script, welches von der START-Engine ausgeführt werden kann.
Software-Voraussetzungen: .NET Framework 4.0, JDK(64-Bit) und Uninstall 32-Bit Version, IE 10, Chrome-36 oder Firefox 30 und höher.

Es wird deutlich sichtbar, dass die UI-Entwicklung im SAP-Umfeld mehr und mehr den SAP GUI für Windows hinter sich läßt. Leider geht aus der Beschreibung nicht eindeutig hervor, ob es sich hier ausschließlich um ein Testwerkzeug für Web UIs oder für alle handelt, d.h. inklusive dem SAP GUI für Windows. Machen wir uns auf eine Web UI basierte Zukunft gefasst.

Check the Existence of an SAP GUI Scripting Object Without Exception

Different SAP environments are not always identical. So it is possible that an GUI object is available in one environment, but not in another. Here a method how to check the existence of a GUI object. In a normal case, if an object not exists, you get an exception error in a messagebox and the script terminates immediately. With this method you can choose whether the script terminate or not. I think this method is a way to make scripting more robust for the work in different environments.
A sub procedure C checks the existence. It gets the SAP GUI Scripting command as string parameter and delivers it to the method Exe of the Check class. This method calls the method FindById and if it doesn't find an object, an exception is thrown. Now the class was destroyed and the destructor calls the method ErrCatch. This method opens a messagebox and sets a global flag. If the flag is set, with a positive answer of the messagebox, the script terminate immediately or runs again with a negative answer. The example code checks the objects of the logon screen.

Access to SAP via ActiveX control

With the installation of SAP GUI for Windows on the presentation server you get also some ActiveX controls to connect and to communicate with an SAP system. You can use these ActiveX controls easily inside Visual Basic Script and therefore inside of an HTML application - but only with Microsoft Internet Explorer. It is possible to build a HTML GUI and use it with data from an SAP system. Inside the HTML there is a VBScript functionality necessary, which gets the data from the SAP system and uses the Document Object Model (DOM).
With this source code you can view any SAP table content as HTML table. It shows an easy GUI, with only one the connection parameters, an input field for a SAP table name and a button to view the table content in the HTML table.
Important hint:Do not use ActiveX controls furthermore, they are deprecated.

How to read any table with SAP GUI Scripting and write it to a CSV file

You can do a lot of things with SAP GUI Scripting. Beside the simulation of user inputs you can automize a lot of other stuff. But therefore it is necessary to mix the possibilities e.g. with Visual Basic Scripting. In this source code shows how to read any SAP table from the ALV-Grid of the transaction code SE16 record by record and write it in a text file. The delimiter between each field is a semicolon.
If you want to process the records of the table inside your Visual Basic Scripting code, it is not in any case a benefit to work with a file. This source shows a way to read a table in an array - not a file.
With this examples it is very easy to export any table from SAP and import the data e.g. in Microsoft Excel to analyze or process it.

06.05.2018 / 11.08.2018

• Total Commander
• APK Downloader

Import CSV file into table

In a few cases it is necessary to transfer table data from one system to another. Here a report how to import table data from a csv file in an SAP system. To export table data you can use transaction code SE16. This method doesn't work with a table which contains RAW data fields.

Reset Passwords of SAP Standard Users in Different Clients

In a normal case you configure the SAP standard users like SAP* or DDIC once when you install the application server. But later, month ago, it could be possible that you forget the passwords of the standard users in the different clients of the application server. Here a program to set or copy the passwords of the standard users in the client 000 from client 001.

Examples of ActiveX Library Integration in ABAP

With ABAP it is possible to use ActiveX applications on the presentation server. Now a few examples to show some possibilities.

• How to use SAP GUI Scripting inside ABAP
  04.12.2011 / 22.07.2016
  In actual versions from SAP for Windows the security options don't allow the using of SAP GUI Scripting inside ABAP. Disable this security rules to try the source. This source shows the possibility to use SAP GUI Scripting inside ABAP
  
  
• How to use Visual Basic Script
  24.10.2011
  It is also possible to use Microsoft Visual Basic Script inside ABAP. This means you can execute scripts direct from ABAP. Here a source to execute VBScript from ABAP and here an alternative source to execute VBScript from ABAP.
  
  
• How to use Google translate
  24.01.2011
  With the Microsoft Internet Explorer it is possible to call web sites via COM. In the following code we call Google translate and send a text to translate it and get the result back. It translate from German to English language. Here the ABAP source to call Google translate.
  This program bases on a VBA code snippet from Jean Pierre Allain, thanks to Jean Pierre.
  
  
• How to use Microsoft Word spell and grammar checker
  03.10.2010
  The Microsoft Office applications are a quasi standard, installed on most of the business computers and it can be use via OLE. Now it is a small step to use the functionalities of the Office applications also in ABAP. In the following code we look at the spelling and grammar checker of Microsoft Word. You get any text you want from ABAP to Word, check it and it is returned in a corrected form. Here the ABAP source to use Words spell and grammar checker.
  
  
• How to call a Windows CHM help file with ABAP
  10.08.2009
  With this ABAP code it is possible to call each CHM help file on the presentation server and control them. You can switch between the tabs, open the content you want and close the file. Here the ABAP source to use CHM help files..

Use DLL calls in ABAP

It is not ordinary but very easy to use DLL calls in ABAP or script languages, e.g. VBScript. Yuri Popov programmed a module, called DynamicWrapperX. It is an ActiveX component, which allow to call each function in a DLL you want via COM. A great module. Here the module DynamicWrapperX.
Thanks to Yuri Popov for this module.
The library offers a lot of functions but I miss the possibility to set a string on an address. So I programmed a small extension library to do it. The library contains only one function, with the name StrPut. Here the DynamicWrapperX extension.

• How to call Windows API OutputDebugString with ABAP
  
  25.01.2011
  To view ABAP debug output on the presentation server you can use the Windows API function OutputDebugString. zDebug is an example, it is a small collection of ABAP procedures or classes to use an external debugger, e.g. like DebugView from Microsoft TechNet, to catch the debug output. Here the ABAP source to use Windows API debug functions.
  Important hint: These procedures only works with foreground jobs and online processes. They does not work with background jobs and batch processes.
  
  
• How to call each DLL function in ABAP
  
  26.06.2009
  With this module you can use DLL calls in ABAP, the SAP programming language, very easy too.
  And it is necessary to register DynamicWrapperX on the presentation server too, with regsvr32.exe dynwrapx.dll.
  Look at the following example:
  
  

  Constants:
    IDYes Type i Value 6,
    IDNo Type i Value 7.
  
  Data:
    Win32 Type OLE2_OBJECT,
    ret Type i.
  
  Create Object Win32 'DynamicWrapperX'.
  
  Call Method Of Win32 'Register'
    Exporting
      #1 = 'user32.dll'
      #2 = 'MessageBoxW'
      #3 = 'i=hwwu'
      #4 = 'r=l'.
  
  Call Method Of Win32 'MessageBoxW' = ret
    Exporting
      #1 = 0
      #2 = 'Hello World'
      #3 = 'Test'
      #4 = 4.
  
  If ret = IDYes.
    Write 'Ja'.
  ElseIf ret = IDNo.
    Write 'Nein'.
  Else.
    Write '?'.
  EndIf.
  
  Free Object Win32.

  Important hint: This method works only with foreground jobs and online processes. It works not with background jobs and batch processes.
  
  See also my thread in the SCN here.

RFC Read Table in JSON Format

More and more is JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) the standard in data exchange. I extend the remote enabled function module RFC_READ_TABLE to deliver SAP table data also in JSON format. Here the extended function module of RFC_READ_TABLE with the possibility to export the content in JSON format. Here the corresponding post in the SAP Community.

My collection of posts

• How To Use SQLite with ADO via ODBC
• How To Export SAP Table Content to SQLite Data Containers

Datenbankablage für ArchiveLink einrichten

Hier der Beitrag Nutzung von ArchiveLink mit miniSAP, die Installation des Adobe Reader wird vorausgesetzt. Und hier der Quellcode zur Nutzung von ArchiveLink mit miniSAP.

How to use any scripting language with PowerShell

Here a PowerShell script which offers the possibility to start scripting language interpreters with additional arguments and to catch their result. The example shows Python and AutoIt, try it with .\CallScriptFromPS.ps1 """Hello World""".

#-Begin-----------------------------------------------------------------

Param(
  [String]$Arguments
)

#-Function CallScript---------------------------------------------------
Function CallScript {

  Param(
    [String]$Interpreter,
    [String]$ScriptFile
  )

  [System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo]$startInfo = `
    [System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo]::new();
  $startInfo.FileName = $Interpreter;
  $startInfo.Arguments = "$($ScriptFile) $($Arguments)";
  $startInfo.UseShellExecute = $False;
  $startInfo.CreateNoWindow = $True;
  $startInfo.RedirectStandardOutput = $True;
  $startInfo.RedirectStandardError = $True;
  [System.Diagnostics.Process]$Proc = `
    [System.Diagnostics.Process]::new();
  $Proc.StartInfo = $startInfo;
  If($Proc.Start() -eq $False) {
    Return;
  }
  [System.IO.StreamReader]$stdOut = $Proc.StandardOutput;
  [System.IO.StreamReader]$stdErr = $Proc.StandardError;
  If(($Null -eq $stdOut) -or ($Null -eq $stdErr)) {
    Return;
  }
  $Result = $stdOut.ReadToEnd();
  If($Result.Length -eq 0) {
    Return $stdErr.ReadToEnd();
  } Else {
    Return $Result;
  }

}

#-Sub Main--------------------------------------------------------------
Function Main {

  $Result = CallScript -Interpreter "c:\Program Files\Python37\python.exe" `
    -ScriptFile "C:\Dummy\Test.py";
  $Result;

  $Result = CallScript -Interpreter "c:\Program Files\AutoIt3\AutoIt3_x64.exe" `
    -ScriptFile "C:\Dummy\Test.au3";
  $Result;

}

#-Main------------------------------------------------------------------
Main;

#-End-------------------------------------------------------------------

Here the Python example script.

# -*- coding: iso-8859-15 -*-
#-Begin-----------------------------------------------------------------

#-Imports---------------------------------------------------------------
import platform, struct, sys

#-Sub Main--------------------------------------------------------------
def main():
  print(sys.argv[1], "\r\nPython", platform.python_version(), "on", 
    platform.system(), "(" + platform.architecture()[0] + ")")

#-Main------------------------------------------------------------------
main()

#-End-------------------------------------------------------------------

And here the AutoIt example script.

;-Begin-----------------------------------------------------------------

  If @AutoItX64 = 1 Then
    ConsoleWrite($CmdLine[1] & @LF & "AutoIt Version " & _
      @AutoItVersion & " x64")
  Else
    ConsoleWrite($CmdLine[1] & @LF & "AutoIt Version " & _
      @AutoItVersion & " x86")
  EndIf

;-End-------------------------------------------------------------------

How to use VB.NET via PowerShell inside Java

Here an example how to use VB.NET inside Java, equivalent to the ABAP example. The VB code is in an external file in a project directory from Eclipse.
Look at the source here.

How to use PowerShell Inside Java

I use JaCoB (Java COM Bridge) with SAPIEN Technologies ActiveX PowerShell library. On this way it is possible to use PowerShell; seamless and easily inside Java. With regard to the Eclipse IDE this may be an interesting aspect - but I must admit a little bit exotic.
Look at the source here.

How to use SQLite ODBC with PowerShell

Here is an approach how to use SQLite databases with PowerShell script language via an ODBC driver. On this way we have the possibility to export tables from an SAP system into a SQLite container, to use it from the backend via ABAP and also to use it from the frontend via PowerShell. It should be also considered that SQLite is available for Android, Linux, Mac OS X and different Windows platforms e.g. like Windows Phone. So we can exchange static data or data without permanent changes easily.
Look at the source here.

My collection of posts

Here a collection of interesting links from different perspectives for using Microsoft PowerShell with SAP:

• Machine Learning
  • How to use Leonardo Machine Learning Foundation with PowerShell
  
  
• Automatization Approach
  • How to Build an Unique Key for SAP Tables for a Field from Type String with PowerShell
  • How to Combine SAP GUI Scripting and Web UI Automatization
  • How to Handle Blocking Dialogs in Automation Context in Browser
  • How To Connect SAP with PowerShell via HTTP Request
  • How To Combine PowerShell Development in ABAP Context
  • Integrate AutoIt in PowerShell
  • Control Different Kinds of Desktop Applications
  • Different Behaviour of the Chrome Browser in the Context of Selenium Script Recording and Replaying
  • How To Combine SAP GUI Scripting And Selenium WebDriver
  
  
• ABAP
  • How to use Microsoft Forms UI with Reports on SAP GUI for Windows
  • Visual Selection of SAP Table Data with ABAP and PowerShell
  • Enhancement: How To Call DLL Functions In ABAP
  • Enhancement: How to use .NET Languages Inside ABAP
  • How to Call DLL Functions Inside ABAP
  • How to use VB# (Visual Basic dotNET) Inside ABAP
  • How to use Windows PowerShell Script inside ABAP
  
  
• Connectivity
  • How To Combine PowerShell Development in ABAP Context
  • Sandbox Web Scenario to Mockup Applications with PHP, PowerShell and NCo
  • How to Detect all Connected Systems and Programs with CCo and NCo
  • How to use SAP HANA ABAP Source Search via PowerShell
  • How to use NCo With PowerShell 5 Classes Feature
  • How to Call BAPI Function Modules with PowerShell via NCo
  • Load NCo in Relation to Shell and Get Destination with Password Requester
  • How to use NCo With PowerShell: Client Apps (PowerShell uses .NET Connector)
  • How to get Data From SAP NW Gateway Interface with OData via PowerShell
  • Windows PowerShell with SAP Gateway Services (from Scott Stefanich)
  
  
• SAP GUI Scripting
  • Irritating Rotation
  • Visual Studio Code Editor
  • Make Invisible Information Visible with DumpState
  • Collection vs. Children, the Busy Difference
  • Complete Launch Sequence of SAP GUI Scritping in PowerShell
  • Use SAP GUI Scripting with Native PowerShell
  • SAP GUI Scripting Recorder with PowerShell
  • How to use PowerShell for Automated Login to SAP
  • How to use dotNET Languages Inside SAP GUI Scripting or GuiXT
  • How to Combine Windows PowerShell Script and SAP GUI Scripting
  • How to use SAP GUI Scripting Inside Windows PowerShell
  
  
• COM Bridge to PowerShell
  • How to use dotNET Connector NCo Inside VBA
  • Review: PowerShell Script Version 5 with SAPIENs ActiveXPosh Version 3
  
  
• eCATT
  • How to use Memory Mapped Files with ABAP/eCATT
  • How to use eCATT Script via HTTP Request
  • How to use Real Mobile Devices from Sauce Labs Cloud Device Farm with SAP eCATT
  • How to Control Native Android Apps with ABAP
  • How eCATT Executes the Commands TCD and SAPGUI
  • How to use eCATT Script from PowerShell
  • Integrate Jenkins Automation Server in an eCATT Test Process
  • Integrate Jenkins Automation Server in SAP with PowerShell Core
  • eCATT Editor with Dark Theme
  • How to Download all eCATT Scripts
  
  

Links

• Microsoft Developer Network
• Microsoft PowerShell
• PowerShell on GitHub
• PowerShell Documentation
• Windows PowerShell Blog
• My profile at Social Technet
• Microsoft Virtual Academy
• MS Sprachenportal
• Microsoft Channel9
• SAPIEN Technologies

Combine PowerShell with UiPath

To combine PowerShell with UiPath we use a tiny test script which needs a parameter and delivers the result of a message box as string.

#-Begin-----------------------------------------------------------------

Param(
  [String]$UserName
)

#-Sub Main--------------------------------------------------------------
Function Main {
  Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Windows.Forms;
  [String]$Result = [System.Windows.Forms.MessageBox]::Show("Hello $($UserName)", `
    "Hello", [System.Windows.Forms.MessageBoxButtons]::OKCancel);
  $Result;
}


#-Main------------------------------------------------------------------
Main;

#-End-------------------------------------------------------------------

Now the integration of this PowerShell script into a UiPath sequence. Here it is necessary to read the PowerShell script as text file into a UiPath variable. This variable is the command text for the UiPath activity Invoke PowerShell. The parameter for the script must be defined also as parameter for the activity. The result of the script is a collection of strings, which are stored in the variable Result. With the Write Line activity this result is shown in the output window of UiPath. Here the workflow file of UiPath. On this way it is possible to combine PowerShell in UiPath seamlessly and to communicate directly from UiPath with the PowerShell script and vice versa.

My collection of posts

Here a collection of interesting links from different perspectives for using UiPath:

• How to use Machine Learning Inside Your Automated Business Process
• Good to Know: Fields with Changed Anchors
• Good to Know: Fields that are Scrolled Out of View
• Develop Your Own Custom Activity with CShell
• Performance Consideration of an SAP GUI for Windows Automation
• How to Execute an UiPath Robot from SAP eCATT
• How to use SAP Table Data via RFM RFC_READ_TABLE on the fly inside UiPath
• How to use SAP RFM with SAP NCo via Invoke Code in UiPath
• Another Way to use SAP Remote Function Calls (RFC) with UiPath
• How to use the Automation Language AutoIt in Combination with UiPath
• How to use Memory Mapped Files with UiPath
• How to use SAP eCATT with UiPath
• One Way how to use Python Seamlessly with UiPath
• Very easy to call SAP Leonardo Machine Learning Foundation
• One Way how to use SAP Remote Function Calls (RFC) with UiPath

Links

• My profile at UiForum
• My profile at UiConnect

• UiPath
• UiPath Blog
• UiPath Videos
• UiPath Academy
• UiPath Orchestrator

• CShell
• NuGet Package Explorer
• ILSpy

• SAP Intelligent Robotic Process Automation
• SAP Help Portal - iRPA
• SAP Analytics - iRPA

SAP Developer News

The January issue of the SAP developer newsletter "debug and deploy" contains a reference to my blog post How to use Python Seamlessly Inside ABAP in the SAP Community.

My collection of posts

Here a collection of interesting links from different perspectives for using Python:

• How to use TensorFlow Seamlessly Inside ABAP
• How to use Python Inside PowerShell
• How to use Python Seamlessly Inside ABAP
• How to use SAP GUI Scripting inside Python Programming Language
• How to use Python via External OS Commands and Embed the Scripts Seamlessly
• Python meets ABAP

Links

• Python
• Python for Windows Extensions
• Python IDE - Visual Studio Code and the Plugin
• Index of Python Wheels
• Python Packages

AutoIt is a scripting language for automating the Windows GUI. Here is a collection of tips for AutoIt. Recently this was a copy of my blog in the AutoIt forum, but the operator of the forum decided to remove all blogs, because it was not well utilised. Now I will continue here my tips and add some more.

How to control a client from SAP ABAP

It is very easy to control a client system from SAP ABAP. Do not forget to register AutoItX on the client system via regsvr32.exe AutoItX.dll. Now you can use AutoIt from ABAP, look at the simple example, it call notepad and type a text in it:

Data:
  AutoIt Type OLE2_OBJECT,
  pid Type i.

Create Object AutoIt 'AutoItX3.Control'.

Call Method Of AutoIt 'Run' = pid
  Exporting #1 = 'notepad.exe'.

Call Method Of AutoIt 'WinWaitActive'
  Exporting #1 = 'Unbenannt - Editor'.

Call Method Of AutoIt 'Send'
  Exporting #1 = 'Hallo von ABAP'.

Free Object AutoIt.

You see how easy it is.

Is there a favorite way to access to the SAP GUI?

There are several ways to interact with the SAP GUI. One way I introduce in this blog, the direct interaction with the GUI from AutoIt. Another way is the SAP GUI Scripting, a library with COM interfaces which enables access to the SAP GUI. We all know that AutoIt support function calls via COM. You find a little introduction about SAP GUI Scripting here and here. Beneath the section literature you find the documentation for Microsoft Windows and general information about the technical infrastructure.
But now to the actual question: Is there a favorite way to access to the SAP GUI? I want to show few advantages and disadvantages for this or that.
With the SAP GUI Scripting it is necessary on the host system to activate explicit the scripting. You can do it with the transaction code (TAC) RZ11 and the parameter User Scripting, which must be set on true - in capital letters. The default of this parameter is false. If you do not have the rights to set this parameter, you can not use SAP GUI Scripting. Another requirement is the version of the SAP GUI, it must be equal or higher than 6.20. After these hurdles are taken, you can use SAP GUI Scripting, his tools and the COM interface. With the direct access via AutoIt to the GUI are these conditions all the same.
The access to the SAP GUI and the controls via AutoIt is not very easy, long and permanently changing window names and no names or ID of a lot of controls. If you use Au3Info you get a lot of information, but not all you need to ensure the correct function of your module. So it is the best to work only or mostly with keystrokes. If you work with SAP GUI Scripting it is easier but not trivial to use the windows and controls you want. SAP GUI Scripting uses an own object model. You can access to a control via a path of GuiApplication/GuiConnection/GuiSession/GuiMainWindow etc. In the coding it looks like these: /app/con[0]/ses[0]/wnd[0]/usr/ctxtDATABROWSE-TABLENAME. You can exactly do what you want.
You see, we finally can not decide which way is better. The direct access via AutoIt is easier to handle but more difficult, the access via SAP GUI Scripting needs special requirements but the GUI control is very fine.
You see, each way has its advantages and its disadvantages, a recommendation for one direction cannot be recognized clearly - perhaps a mixture from both. Let us looking forward to our experience.

How to create a Microsoft Access database without Access

Here is a way to create a Microsoft Access database without an installed Access on the system. It is very easy to create a database. It is necessary to open (System-)Control > Administration > Datasources (ODBC). With the ODBC administration it is possible to create the database. You can create a database and set the User-DSN (Data Source Name) in the ODBC administration - with one single mouse click.
Look at the source here.

Add your own buttons in SAP GUI with your own functions

Here is a program which adds a button in the toolbar of the SAP GUI. It is designed for the sub functions of the transaction SE80, especially ABAP-Editor resp. SE38. If the event of the button click fires, the function save (Ctrl+S), check (Ctrl+F2), activate (Ctrl+F3) and process (F8). I think, you can use this technic for any program.
Look at the source here.

Switch font in SAP GUI

With the following code you activate the I18N multi-byte functionality in SAP. After you activate it, it is possible to switch to another individual font on the SAP GUI.
Look at the source here.

Switch new or classic editor design in SAP SE80

With the following code you switch between new or classic design of the ABAP editor.
Look at the source here.

SAP GUI change always window name

At the analysis of the SAP GUI activities, I see that the window name always changes, if you choose another transaction. My solution is to work with AutoIt and the SAP GUI: Use only the class name of the window. With this way the title of the window never minds. Dim $WinTitle = "[CLASS:SAP_FRONTEND_SESSION]" But be careful, if you open more then one session, you can not divide between the windows. This way is useful if you have only one session.

Start SAP LogonPad and GUI, Login and start Object Navigator

This is the next step in the chain to start and control SAP¸. Now we must start the SAP LogonPad and choose the system we want to connect. After the start of the SAP GUI we must type the user name and password. I repeat this activities some times a day, so it is a good candidate for a script to automate it.
Look at the source here.
It is not very difficult to understand how the script works, I described it above. The script starts the transaction SE80, it means the object navigator, e.g. to code programs in ABAP language. After all the script kills the LogonPad.
Good Login.
Extension: I optimize the script on the 02/19/09 and integrate an information from Ahmad - Thanks a lot to Ahmad for his hint and his solution.

Start SAP ABAP server

It is not a problem to control SAP with AutoIt. With this entry I present the first step to automate SAP activities with AutoIt. Here is a code snippet to start a local ABAP Server of SAP NetWeaver 7.0. This step is very often only for administrators, not for normal users. But if you install a local SAP system, it is necessary for you.
Look at the source here.
I am a lazy man, and believe me, it is a little bit dodgy, if you experiment with ABAP, to start the application server. Open the SAP Management Console, start the server, type your password, always the same. Yeah, I know, under normal circumstances you do it once a day or so, or until the next start of the computer. Now, this script work for my idleness, only start it with a stupid twin click and the ABAP server start.
Good launch.

01.08.2008 / 06.08.2017

How to find drivers and updates for Windows

Microsoft offers a very good database to find hardware drivers.
Also you can use the Windows 10 Update history.

How to update Windows Defender without online connection

It very easy to update Windows Defender, the actual security program in Windows, without an online connection. Use the link to microsoft.com and download the correct file. Execute the file, e.g. mpam-feX64.exe, from the Explorer with administration rights. Now the Defender is up to date.

20.08.2010

OLEView is an OLE/COM viewer from Microsoft and a part of the Windows SDK. It is possible with a simple mouse click to view the type library of the COM library with this tool in IDL (Interface Definition Language). But something is to notice: You must use a version number for the COM library 1.0 and higher. If you use a version number 0.x, it is not possible to view the interface - you get an error. The COM library works with a version number 0.x perfect, but OLEView can not read the interface and store the IDL file. The COM viewer, also from Microsoft, shows the interface without any problems.

04.07.2009

Die Dateien des normalen Word Dokumentenformates werden im Normalfall mit der Extension doc gekennzeichnet. Word kennt noch weitere Formate, u.a. die Dokumentenvorlagen, die mit der Extension dot versehen sind. So klar wie es auch sein mag, so unklar ist es oftmals: dot-Dateien sind keine doc-Dateien.
Einige Vorgehensweisen sind grundsätzlich anders und sollten bedacht werden, hier sind einige:

• Sollen die Dokumentenvorlagen angepasst werden, so dürfen diese niemals mit einem Doppelklick geöffnet werden. z.B. vom Desktop oder über den Windows Explorer. Mit dieser Art des Öffnens werden im Word Mechanismen gestartet und eine andere Behandlung der Datei durchgeführt, z.B. beim Speichern. Dot-Dateien die angepasst werden sollen sind immer über eine geöffnete Word-Instanz und dem Menüpunkt Datei > Öffnen zu öffnen.
• Die üblichen Startmechanismen werden durch das Ereignis AutoNew ersetzt, beim Öffnen mit einem Doppelklick, wie eben beschrieben. D.h. z.B. DocumentOpen usw. funktioniert nur noch beim Öffnen durch den Menüpunkt Datei > Öffnen. Programme die beim Öffnen von Dokumentenvorlagen ausgeführt werden sollen, sind dem Ereignis AutoNew zuzuordnen.

CHM-Dateien in HTML-Dateien zurückführen

Das Packprogramm 7-Zip kann CHM-Dateien wieder in ihre ursprüngliche HTML-Dateien zerlegen. Ein Feature das ich bei diesem Programm nicht vermutet habe.

CHM-Dateien aus SAP mit ABAP ansprechen

Oftmals werden in SAP die Dokumentationen von Objekten und Anleitungen direkt mit den "Bordmitteln" durchgeführt, z.B. dem IMG-Baum. Dass ist mehr oder weniger komfortabel und bietet auch "nur" die enthaltenen Möglichkeiten. Es gibt aber durchaus auch andere Wege dies zu gestalten. U.a. ist es möglich CHM-Dateien aus dem ABAP, der SAP eigenen Programmiersprache, direkt anzusprechen. Die dafür notwendige Klasse, inkl. Beispiel, ist hier zu finden.

AutoIt Script Language

Online-Hilfen unter Microsoft Windows bestehen meistens aus kompilierten HTML-Dateien, die als CHM-Dateien bekannt sind. Skripttechnologien bieten Möglichkeiten diese um aktive Inhalte zu erweitern. AutoIt ist eine Skriptsprache, die ursprünglich für das automatisierte Testen von Benutzeroberflächen unter Windows entwickelt wurde. Sie verwendet eine Kombination von simulierten Tastatureingaben, Bewegungen der Maus sowie Fenster- und Steuerelementmanipulationen. Damit können Programme gesteuert und Abläufe dem Anwender vorgeführt werden; dies ist mit anderen Skriptsprachen so nicht möglich. AutoIt bietet sinnvolle Möglichkeiten Online-Hilfen funktional zu erweitern. Ein Einsatz dieser Sprache kann auf jeden Fall empfohlen werden, da sie zu einer Anreicherung und vielfältigeren Gestaltung von Online-Hilfen (CHM-Dateien) beiträgt. Den Endanwendern der Hilfen wird damit eine weitere (aktive) Unterstützungsebene angeboten, die im bisherigen Rahmen so nicht möglich ist. Zu finden ist AutoIt hier.

PDF-Sammlung auf CD: Inhaltsverzeichnis erstellen

Hier ist ein VBA-Word-Programm zu finden, mit dem Inhaltsverzeichnisse von PDF-Dateien erstellt werden können. Mit Aufruf der Routine GetAllPDFFilesTitles wird das Startverzeichnis übergeben. Alle Unterverzeichnisse werden gelesen und die Titel der enthaltenen PDF-Dateien ermittelt, in das Word-Dokument geschrieben und dabei mit den PDF-Dokumenten verlinkt - damit entsteht das gewünschte Inhaltsverzeichnis. Voraussetzung ist die Installation eines Acrobats (nicht Reader, der reicht nicht) und eines Word. Die Routine kann leicht in eigene Dokumente übernommen werden.
Weiterhin hier eine VBA-Routine mit der Texte in PDF-Dokumenten gefunden werden können.

CHM-Dateien erforschen

Mit dem HTML Help File Explorer von Paul A. O’Rear kann man den Inhalt von CHM-Dateien übersichtlich analysieren. In einer Baumstruktur werden alle integrierten Dateien angezeigt. Mit Display kann man die gerenderte Datei ansehen und mit TextView den Quellcode. Zu finden ist dieses Werkzeug hier.

CHM-Dateien auch unter Linux anzeigen

CHM-Dateien können auch unter Linux angezeigt werden. Dafür benutze ich den KChmViewer. Er verwendet die Qt-Bibliotheken von Trolltech und ist für den Einsatz unter KDE optimiert, aber KDE ist keine Bedingung. Es ist ein zuverlässiges Programm welches die Inhalte von CHM-Dateien sehr gut wiedergibt und in seiner Funktionalität dem Original in nichts nach steht.
Das Programm ist auch für Windows verfügbar, benötigt dann allerdings zwei Runtime-Bibliotheken von Qt, die dem Paket beiliegen, sowie eine weitere Bibliothek von MinGW, die aber leicht aus dem Internet beschafft werden kann. Vom Look & Feel sieht es aus und verhält sich wie das Linux-Programm.
Die Windows-Version versteht es leider nicht mit aktiven Inhalten umzugehen, hier JavaScript. Nach Rücksprache mit dem Programmierer des KChmViewer George Yunaev wird dies auch sobald nicht der Fall sein. So gesehen ist der Viewer keine echte Alternative zum Original, sofern der Anspruch aktiver Inhalte besteht.

01.10.2008

Microsoft stops the support for the HLP help files with Vista. HLP is a (very) old format, it exists since Windows 3. It bases on the Rich Text Format (RTF). The official format since Windows 98 is the CHM format, which bases on Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML). At the moment the actual format is HxS, which bases on eXtended Markup Language (XML).
We have a lot of information store in HLP files. What can we do to save the information from the HLP files in the post XP world? It is very easy to do that.
At first you must get all your source files from the HLP files, e.g. RTF, BMP, SHG etc. But the first problem is: where are the files? Often we have only the HLP file, but not all sources. No problem, if you have the HLP file, you have all what you need. Now you need a decompiler, which extracts all files from the HLP file. You can load a very good decompiler here, call HELPDECO. It is a command line tool: open a console window, type HELPDECO MYHELP.HLP and a few seconds later you have all your source files.
The next step is to load and install the HTML Help SDK from Microsoft. Create a new project to convert an existing HLP file. Choose your project and a few seconds later the HLP project is converted to a CHM project. Now compile the project and you get your HLP content in CHM format. My experience is, after a conversion, that you loose a lot of format information but all links work well.
Thanks to Microsoft for all the information and the HTML Help SDK.
Thanks to Manfred Winterhoff for the HelpDeco tool.
You can find further and detailed information here.

01.05.2008

It is a normal day, the sun is shining, I feel good and put my memory stick in a strange computer. Suddenly, the virus scanner gives alarm. He detects, that one of my programs is infected with a trojan. Mhmm, I programmed and compiled it and the virus scanner of my system means, it is all okay. Now I look a little bit nearer and analyze this situation:

• 1. Step: I send my program to www.virustotal.com and it gives me a report back. Several virus scanners found different viruses and trojans and mean my program is suspicious.
• 2. Step: I wrote a very easy program and compiled it and sent it to www.virustotal.com again. I was surprised about the result. One virus scanner gave alarm (see the results).
• 3. Step: Then I compressed the program with UPX and sent it to www.virustotal.com again. Now I was more surprised, three virus scanners found different viruses, and the virus scanner from the second step not (see the results).
• 4. Step: Then I protected the programs with Molebox and sent it to www.virustool.com and checked it again. It came what I expected: more different viruses and trojans (see the results).

Okay, what is the result of this test:
Virus scanners are necessary, nothing more to say, but if the phobia of the scanner makes users feel insecure, it goes to far. To use security mechanism in our programs is also necessary and allowed. But the scan technic of the virus scanner uses the same mechanism as a virus or trojan and our programs protect against "scan attack". So the virus scanner thinks, oh, it defends my "scan attack", it is suspicious and brands the program. The user thinks, oho, it is a virus or trojan in the program and deletes it, great.
What can we do?

• Check each program with www.virustotal.com and inform the user about the results.
• Create for each program a checksum e.g. MD5 and publish it with the link and with the file.

Thanks to the UPX team for the great program.
Thanks to the Molebox team for the great tool.
Thanks to Virustotal for the great scan service.
Look at: Virus scanning test results, Adobe Reader expected.

Server Application for SAP,
to use COM and OS functions without SAP GUI for Windows
and with ABAP background processes.

Background Light is an ABAP to COM bridge and a replacement for the CL_GUI_FRONTEND_SERVICES class. It allows to use COM libraries and a lot of OS functions without SAP GUI for Windows and therewith in ABAP background processes or with ABAP in Eclipse.
If you execute an ABAP program with the SAP GUI for Windows you can use COM calls and OS functions very easily. But, if you execute the same program e.g. as background process, COM and OS function calls does not work. It is not possible to use it without SAP GUI for Windows, because there is no communication between application and presentation server in this case.
But Background Light, as an SAP server program, offers these possibilities. It is a bridge from your ABAP program to any COM library and a lot of OS functions. After the registering of Background Light in the SAP system of your choice and the start of the server program on your presentation server you can use COM and OS function calls in fore- and background processes with the same code and on each platform.
All accesses to the presentation server are visible. You can see any access full qualified and in detail. If you want you can set Background Light in a single step mode. In this case you can decide whether access you allow. There is no security risk to run Background Light.


Download of BLight.zip (Version 1.24 from 30.07.2018)

x86	—	Directory with 32-bit version
BLight.exe	—	32-bit native Windows application
Scintilla.dll	—	Additional 32-bit library for Background Light
BLight.cmd	—	Batch file to start Background Light
x64	—	Directory with 64-bit version
BLight.exe	—	64-bit native Windows application
Scintilla.dll	—	Additional 64-bit library for Background Light
BLight.cmd	—	Batch file to start Background Light
BLight.tpd	—	Documentation of Background Light
TreepadViewer.exe	—	Documentation viewer of Background Light

Use Case
To code in ABAP language I use in a normal case the ABAP Development Tools (ADT) with ABAP in Eclipse (AiE). Also I use ABAP Unit to test the methods of the classes. This environment offers no possibility to use COM or OS functions. Here I use Background Light e.g. to input data or to export tables as CSV files.



Scope of Functions
Background Light offers a lot of function for COM, file, directory or clipboard operations and also a set of miscellaneous functions, e.g. like RequestInput or MsgBox.

Output catch is a small SAP server program to catch text output from an ABAP program. Start the program, fill the connection parameters, register the functions and use one of the output or log variants in your ABAP program to catch your specific text, e.g. to monitor parameters of an interface. You can send text or messages direct to the editor of output catch, to a specific log file on the client, to a Windows debugger or to the Windows event protocol of the client.


With the following download you get an executable file to catch output text from an ABAP development object and view it.

Download of ABAPOutputCatch (Version 1.04 from 03.03.2018)

Directory x64
ABAPOutputCatch.exe	— 64-bit native Windows application
Scintilla.dll	— 64-bit native Windows editor library x64.       Copy it in the same directory as the executable you use.
Directory x86
ABAPOutputCatch.exe	— 32-bit native Windows application
Scintilla.dll	— 32-bit native Windows editor library x86.       Copy it in the same directory as the executable you use.
Main directory
ABAPOutputCatch.tpd	— Help file for ABAPOutputCatch
TreepadViewer.exe	— Help viewer
ABAPOutputCatch.help.cmd	— Additional batch file to start the help

Many information is stored in different files with different formats. This information is often important for the customer and there is the question, how to transport this to a customer.
BinFile2ABAP is an ABAP, JSON and PowerShell code generator which offers this possibility. With BinFile2ABAP you can store each file in an ABAP function module, report, form, as JSON or PowerShell file. This means, it converts the file to an ABAP source code, to a JSON base64 encoded file or to a PowerShell file.
With the call of the ABAP code the file is set to an export interface or saved on the presentation server. In this case you can executed it on the presentation server e.g. in synchronous mode and the file can be deleted after the execution. Also BinFile2ABAP supports the SAP MIME-Repository.
BinFile2ABAP can also create base64 encoded JSON and PowerShell files from any file too. You can use this JSON file in the context of your SAPUI5 development, e.g. to simulate backend databinding, via OData and the SAP Gateway, as local databinding.
With this kind of information you can extend your possibilities. You can integrate each type of file you want in your ABAP, SAPUI5 or PowerShell code, e.g. Portable Document Format (PDF), Compiled HTML Help (CHM), all image, sound and video formats etc.


Download of BinFile2ABAP (version 2.08 from 16.02.2019)

The zip file contains:
In x64 directory:
BinFile2ABAP.exe	— 64-bit executable for Windows®
Scintilla.dll	— 64-bit Scintilla library
In x86 directory:
BinFile2ABAP.exe	— 32-bit executable for Windows®
Scintilla.dll	— 32-bit Scintilla library