ABAP Shared Objects: Practical Use and Implementation

I use these when I need fast, shared access to data across multiple programs. Think of it like a shared stash of data that’s easy to read, rarely changes, and doesn’t need constant database hits.

When Do I Use Shared Objects?

1. Shared Buffer: If I’ve got large datasets—like configuration tables or master data—that lots of programs need to access but don’t change often, shared objects work perfectly. They act as a cache, speeding up processing by skipping database calls.

2. Exclusive Buffer: Sometimes, I need to keep data alive for just one program across transactions. Let’s say I’m handling user-specific session data. Shared objects make that easy and efficient.

How I Set Them Up

Step 1: Create a Root Class I start by creating a class in SE24 and enabling it for shared memory. This class defines the structure of the data I’m going to store.

Step 2: Define a Shared Memory Area Next, I create the shared memory area in SHMA. This step connects the memory to the root class and reserves space for the data.

Step 3: Write Data to Shared Memory Here’s how I push data into shared memory. I create the shared object, lock it for write access, and attach my data.

Step 4: Read Data from Shared Memory When I need the data, I attach the shared memory area in read mode and grab what I need.

#5 Monitor shared areas

Using the transaction SHMM

Why I Love Shared Objects

They’re fast and reliable. I’ve used them to cache pricing data, manage user sessions, and even store temporary configuration tables for processes. But here’s the catch: they only stick around as long as the SAP system is running. A system restart or instance crash wipes them out.

Things to Watch Out For

1. System Restarts: Shared objects vanish when the SAP instance goes down. I always reload data after a restart.
2. Monitoring: I keep an eye on my shared objects using SHMM. It’s the best way to see what’s in memory and clean up if needed.
3. Class Changes: If I tweak the root class, the existing objects need to be deleted and recreated. It’s a bit of a hassle, but manageable.

Shared Objects vs. Other Tools

I use shared objects for structured, high-performance data access. If I only need temporary values between user screens, SET PARAMETER and GET PARAMETER work fine. For global, lightweight storage, shared buffers (EXPORT TO SHARED MEMORY) can help, but shared objects give me way more control.

Dzmitryi Kharlanau , SAP consultant