Creating a Namespace in SAP

DataXstream, an SAP Solution Partner, builds, packages, and distributes custom solutions for our clients. We have built and packaged these solutions both in our own SAP landscape and in our client’s SAP landscape. In doing so, we must be careful about how we manage our namespaces, their associated development and repair license keys, and packages. It is not surprising, then, that I have received several inquiries asking about our namespace strategy for the development, packaging, and distribution of add-on products.

Creating a Namespace in SAP: The Genesis of Two Name Ranges

SAP Solution Partners face challenges in safeguarding their custom development from naming conflicts and unauthorized modifications when distributing their products to different clients. In such cases, using a naming convention may not be feasible. So, what is the solution to address this issue?

Now, the namespace

As DataXstream may have several solution products either already completed or under construction, we need a way to organize the objects within each solution project. We do this by assigning all of the objects that belong to a project to a unique package. For example, if we had a project named “PROJ1”, we would build a package named /XSTREAM/PROJ1 and we would then assign all of the objects for that project to package /XSTREAM/PROJ1. This is a most useful way of organizing the objects, since we can then use the SAP Object Navigator to manage all of the objects belonging to a specific package. It is also useful when packaging a product for delivery, using the SAP Add-on Assembly Kit. When it comes time to define the list of objects to be included in the delivered package, the Add-on Assembly Kit allows you to indicate that you want to include all of the objects belonging to a specified package.

Creating a custom namespace: Step-by-step guide

To create a namespace, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the AWS Management Console.

3. Select “Create namespace”.

4. On the Create namespace page, input the relevant values.

Creating a Namespace in SAP

To obtain and start using a distinct namespace, there are four essential steps that need to be followed.

1. Apply for a namespace

2. Secure an approved namespace reservation

3. Create license keys for the reserved namespace

4. Enroll the namespace on your development system

The initial three actions are carried out on the SAP Support Portal at this specific web address.

This site is very well laid out and the steps are clearly explained. Here is what it looks like:

Things to prepare before you apply for a namespace.

Have your namespace name and a brief description ready. A namespace name can contain no more than ten characters (including the two ‘/’ characters e.g. /ABCDEFGH/). I would not make this too long, because some object names, like SAP table names, are on the short side.

Choose the SAP system in which you wish to create your distinct namespace and obtain its installation number. The installation number can be located on the System -> Status page.

The fourth step is carried out on your development system using transaction SE03.

In this transaction, you need to choose the option “Display/Change Namespaces” located in the Administration folder.

In the CHANGE mode, you can add a fresh entry to record your namespace and include the necessary development and repair license keys. Once you have successfully registered your exclusive namespace on your development system, you can start utilizing it.

Adding a namespace in SAP PI: A step-by-step guide

To create a namespace in SAP, you need to follow these steps. First, select the version of the software component where you want to create the namespace. This is like choosing a specific version of a program or application.

Next, right-click on the selected software component version and choose “Open” from the menu that appears. This will open up more options for editing and managing this particular version.

In the details section of this opened window, look for an option called “Edit” and click on it. This will allow you to make changes or add new information related to this software component version.

Within the edit mode, there should be a section called “Namespace List.” In this section, find an option labeled as “Add” and click on it. By doing so, you can insert or include your desired namespace into a table specifically designed for storing namespaces.

Summary

As previously stated, DataXstream provides customized development and packaging services using either our own development environment or yours. Our team of experienced consultants can offer guidance, support, or even handle the entire process for you when it comes to strategies for namespaces, packaging through the SAP Add-on Assembly Kit, and product distribution.

How can I locate the namespace in SAP?

On this screen, you will see an overview of all the namespaces available for maintenance. However, only the namespaces that are relevant to your specific requirements will be displayed here. The purpose of this view is to provide a clear and organized display of namespaces that can be modified or managed.

By accessing this maintenance view, you can easily identify and work with the necessary namespaces without getting overwhelmed by irrelevant information. It allows you to focus on what matters most for your tasks within SAP system management and customization.

Remember these instructions when creating a namespace in SAP as they will guide you through the process efficiently using the Transport Organizer tool in transaction SE09.

Appendix

The SAP Documentation provides information on how to create customer name ranges.

Understanding the SAP namespace

Here are some key points about namespaces:

2. Namespaces improve code readability: When working on large projects with many developers involved, using namespaces makes it easier to understand which part of the code belongs to whom.

3. Namespaces enable modularization: With namespaces, you can divide your project into smaller logical units or modules and easily manage them separately.

Overall, namespaces play an important role in software development by providing structure and organization while avoiding naming conflicts between different objects created by multiple developers.

What does namespace creation entail?

Furthermore, using separate Namespaces also helps minimize potential risks associated with making changes or updates in a live production environment. With a designated Namespace solely focused on development activities, developers can freely experiment without impacting the stability or functionality of the live system.

Can you provide an instance of a namespace?

The purpose of having namespaces is to ensure that names have distinct meanings within their respective namespaces. This means that different files or subdirectories cannot share the same name within the same namespace. For example, if there are two files named “document.txt” in the same directory, it would create confusion and make it difficult for the operating system to locate and access them accurately.

Command to create a namespace

Creating a namespace in SAP involves using the kubectl command with specific parameters. By running “kubectl create namespace “, you can generate a new namespace with a desired name, such as “development”. The terminal output will then verify if the creation process was successful by displaying the name of this newly formed namespace. Remember that checking all existing namespaces within your cluster is possible through executing “kubectl get namespaces”.

Katy