--- title: Your guide to cloud-ready development in ABAP date: 2025-07-30T00:00:00+02:00 author: Flexso canonical_url: "https://www.flexso.com/en/insights-blog/sap-abap-cloud-development" section: cp.sections.blog --- ![Cloud ready programming SAP ABAP](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271360%27%20height%3D%27544%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) **ABAP has long been the holy grail for developers building custom SAP apps. But now that SAP has gone cloud-first: can ABAP keep up? Are ABAP skills still valuable? Can you modernize your code and build new, flexible cloud-based tools without starting from scratch? The answer to all these questions is a resounding: “Absolutely!” Discover how ABAP Cloud helps you modernize fast.** ## ABAP Cloud: a new mindset for cloud-first SAP ABAP Cloud brings together the programming language and tools that ABAP developers know – and love – with modern cloud technologies. Instead of building tightly coupled, monolithic code, deeply integrated into the SAP core, developers will be creating **lightweight apps** that are **easy to maintain and update.** Ready to dive in? Watch the [**Dev2Dev webinar**](https://youtu.be/9GiItJmYiyc?si=9x-eUhq1N3LafPSa)**!** ![Dev2Dev Cloud ready programming in ABAP](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9GiItJmYiyc/hqdefault.jpg) Ready to watch? Accept YouTube Cookies to continue Accept Cookies ## Ready to start using ABAP Cloud? Get in touch to explore how ABAP Cloud can help your teams build smarter, cleaner, and future-proof SAP applications – without reinventing the wheel. [Contact us](https://www.flexso.com/en/contact) ## 3 essentials to make ABAP work in the cloud ## Use RAP – ABAP’s cloud-ready development model At the heart of SAP ABAP Cloud lies **RAP:** the **RESTful Application Programming Model.** RAP is designed for the cloud: it uses a simplified subset of the ABAP language and leverages **Core Data Services (CDS)** to help users define rich, reusable data models that span multiple layers of the application architecture. The RAP components can be build, maintained and tested using ABAP Development Tools (ADT). You could, for example, rely on RAP to build a purchase request app that runs on both SAP public cloud and on-premise systems, all from the same codebase, thanks to RAP’s clean APIs. ## Stick to released APIs When developing with RAP, it’s advised to use released APIs: interfaces officially published and supported by SAP. These APIs are a stable and future-proof choice because they’re: - **Secure:** thoroughly tested by SAP for security and reliability. - **Up-to-date: regularly updated by** SAP with backward compatibility, so your custom developments won’t break during upgrades. - **Fully supported by SAP**: since released APIs are part of SAP’s supported scope, you can rely on SAP for help and documentation. ## Keep the core clean with ABAP Cloud In the past, classic ABAP applications were tightly integrated into the SAP core, built directly inside the ERP system, with deep customizations and adaptations. That made upgrades and changes complex and risky. Today, SAP promotes [**keeping the core clean**](https://www.flexso.com/en/insights-blog/sap-s4hana-core-extensions-with-btp) across its entire platform. The principle is simple: never change the core. Instead, develop extensions, as these are easy to update or change without impacting the SAP system. ABAP Cloud is your gateway to building cloud-ready, future-proof custom applications in SAP S/4HANA, fully **aligned with SAP’s clean core strategy and cloud innovation path**. It offers the full power of cloud infrastructure, plus several other key advantages: - **Faster development** and **simplified maintenance:** leverage modern tools and frameworks that reduce complexity. - **Cost-efficient upgrades**: benefit from automatic updates and security patches to minimize rework and downtime. - **Future-readiness:** ensure that your apps stay compatible with each new SAP release. - **Versatility**: build apps that run both on S/4HANA private cloud, public cloud and on-premise. ## Get started with what you already have In short: there is **no need to start from scratch**. With ABAP Cloud, you can build on your existing custom applications, in-house expertise, and proven business processes to create **robust, adaptable solutions** that run smoothly on SAP S/4HANA Cloud, SAP BTP, or even on-premise systems. ## Powered by Flexso Digital: experts that transform ideas into innovation Smart integration, custom extensions, apps that provide extra automation… we do it all! Think outside the box to optimize your business processes. [Get to know us ](https://www.flexso.com/en/brands/flexso-digital) --- Written by ![Mehmet Hangisi](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%2794%27%20height%3D%2794%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E)**Mehmet Hangisi** ![Wim Verschueren](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%2794%27%20height%3D%2794%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E)**Wim Verschueren** Share - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flexso.com%2Fen%2Finsights-blog%2Fsap-abap-cloud-development"e=Authors%20%2B%20brand) - [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flexso.com%2Fen%2Finsights-blog%2Fsap-abap-cloud-development&title=Authors%20%2B%20brand&summary=&source=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flexso.com%2Fen%2Finsights-blog%2Fsap-abap-cloud-development) - [Whatsapp](whatsapp://send?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flexso.com%2Fen%2Finsights-blog%2Fsap-abap-cloud-development) ![S4hana development fiori elements](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27375%27%20height%3D%27281.25%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E)What's new in S/4HANA development: Fiori Elements, RAP and ABAPSAP S/4HANA continues to evolve with modern development capabilities that significantly improve how applications are built and experienced. It is now possible to create Fiori Elements apps faster with ABAP and RAP [What's new in S/4HANA development: Fiori Elements, RAP and ABAP](https://www.flexso.com/en/insights-blog/sap-s-4hana-development-fiori-elements-rap-abap) ![SAP business AI 02](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27375%27%20height%3D%27281.25%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E)Make your SAP S/4HANA agentic in the cloud and on premDiscover how agentic AI enables SAP S/4HANA to reason, act autonomously, and enhance business processes across cloud and on-premise landscapes. 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[SAP Business AI Starter Pack: Launch AI scenarios with a POC](https://www.flexso.com/en/insights-blog/sap-business-ai-joule-starter-package) ![Fiori elements](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27375%27%20height%3D%27281.25%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E)Easy & quick frontend applications with SAP Fiori ElementsSAP Fiori Elements is a low-code solution for backend developers. Starting from a template, you can generate SAP Fiori apps. [Easy & quick frontend applications with SAP Fiori Elements](https://www.flexso.com/en/insights-blog/sap-fiori-elements) ![B2b portal sap extensions](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27375%27%20height%3D%27281.25%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E)Boost your business with the B2B Customer PortalProvide self-service capabilities to your customers and let your teams focus on delivering added value. Provide a better customer experience and gain valuable business insights with the B2B Customer Portal, an SAP accelerator pack created by Flexso. [Boost your business with the B2B Customer Portal](https://www.flexso.com/en/insights-blog/b2b-portal-sap) ![Extending your S4 HANA core 4](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27375%27%20height%3D%27281.25%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E)Unique software needs? 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[Integrate cloud-based platforms with SAP BTP](https://www.flexso.com/en/insights-blog/btp-architecture-multi-cloud-integration) ![Flexso Class check in extension SuccessFactors Learning](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27375%27%20height%3D%27281.25%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E)Track training attendance with the Class Check-InFlexso's Training Tracker is an SAP SuccessFactors extension that allows you to easily track attendance of live and virtual trainings by using a QR code [Track training attendance with the Class Check-In](https://www.flexso.com/en/insights-blog/hr-solution-class-check-in) ![SAP Enterprise Automation](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27375%27%20height%3D%27281.25%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E)Enterprise automation with SAP: where to start?Discover how the SAP Build low-code suite – and Flexso – boosts process automation and enterprise automation – to drive efficiency, agility, decision-making and innovation. 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