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RFM call results differ from expected

ABAP function module results can be different when invoked via transaction SE37 in ABAP system and via node-rfc connector, with exactly the same input parameters. Typically:

  1. Leading zeros are not shown in SE37, but sent to Node.js when remote FM is called from Node.js.

  2. The function module returns the data in SE37 and does not find any data when exactly the same input key is sent from Node.js, let say {PARTNER_ID: '4711'}

  3. Other than expected date returned to Node.js from ABAP

The cause can be a bug in node-rfc package or in SAP NWRFC SDK, but less likely. The problem is usually caused by not respecting the technical restriction of SAP NWRFC protocol, described here: https://www.sapinsideronline.com/articles/bapi-conversion-issues/.

In short, so called Conversion Exits ("ALPHA" Exits) may be attached to certain fields of ABAP RFM paramereters, providing automatic conversions of data (e.g. leading zeroes removal) when data sent to the client and when the data sent from client to ABAP system (e.g. add leading zeroes). Conversion Exits help clients work with more convenient data representation, like 4711, rather than 000000004711 for example.

Conversion ("ALPHA") exists are triggered in SAP GUI and in SE37 but not when the ABAP FM is called via SAP RFC protocol, therefore the rectifying logic shall be implemented in the FM or in RFC enabled FM wrapper. The behaviour can be also caised by different authorization levels, when ABAP FM is invoked locally or remotely, via SAP RFC protocol.

Another root cause can be internal caching implemented in some ABAP FMs, causing different results even in ABAP, depnding on call sequence for example.

Please check possibilities, before reporting the problem with node-rfc connector.

Remote ABAP debugging

Remote ABAP debugging can be very helpful in troubleshooting Node.js/ABAP integration issues. SAPGUI access to ABAP system is reguired.

  • Start the SE37 transaction and set the so called "external breakpoint" in ABAP source code, for ABAP user, used in Node.js application.

    debug

    Open Settings and set the external debugging user to one used in node-rfc connection ext1

    ext2

    ext3

  • Run Node.js script

  • After ABAP RFM invocation from Node.js, the ABAP debugger shows up in ABAP system, stopped at external breakpoint.

At this point, the data coming from Node.js to ABAP can be inspected, catching suspected node-rfc conversion bug.