Why Background Processing?

Reasons for Background Processing Reducing load on dialog workprocesses

Dispatcher

Scheduling regular activities

vs

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

What is a Background Job?

Job 1 Job 2 Job 3
Step 1

A job consists of one or more steps A job step is one of the following:

ABAP program (maybe with variants) external command external program

One job is processed by one background workprocess

Step n

A job can be triggered

11 10 9 8 7 6 5 12 1 2 4

high Priority low by time

There are 6 priorities: Class A job with target server Class A job without target server Class B job with target server Class B job without target server Class C job with target server Class C job without target server

by event

Defining a Job Using the Job Wizard

Task flow
Transaction SM36 Job Wizard General job information Define a step Define start conditions

The Job Wizard is an easy way to create a job. Step-by-step dialog screens guide you through the process. You can use the navigation buttons go back to previous steps. On the last screen, you will see what you have defined before you save

Start condition of a job could be one of th 1.) immediately - meaning as soon as pos 2.) based on exact date time assignment 3.) after another job 4.) after an event 5.) when a certain operation mode switch
Immediately Date/time After job After event At operation mode switch Start on workday Job not released Job view

Congratulations!
You have successfully defined a job. Choose 'Done' to actually create the job in the system. You can also choose 'Back' to revise the job definition or Cancel' to cancel the whole process. -----------------------------------------------------------------Here is the job you have defined: Job name : GULP Job class : C - LOW PRIORITY Target server :
Back Complete Cancel

Start Conditions of a Job

Time based
11 10 9 8 7 6 5 12 1 2 3 4

Event based

Immediate

After event

once or periodically if periodic, exceptions possible

At Date/Time

once or periodically with or without parameter

After job

status dependentJob 1
At change of operation mode
Day

Job 2

once or periodically if periodic, exceptions possible

On chosen workday (per month)

Night

once or periodically
rdisp/btctime rdisp/btcname

Executing Programs as Job Steps

R/3 System
ABAP Program External Command External Program

No selection screen

With selection screen

+
Variant

predefined within R/3 Operating system Command Parameters

Any command on Operating System level

sapxpg

sapxpg

Operating System

External Program

External Program

Status of a Job
Scheduled Change job Released

Ready

Active

Finished Use Copy to create a new job

Canceled

Monitor Job log Spool list (only for ABAPs)

Operation Modes: Concept

NIGHT

11 10

12

Background processing
1 2 3
11

Dialog processing

9 8 7 6 5 4

12

1 2 3

10 9 8 7 6 5

BTC

DAY

Job Monitoring: Text Form

Job overview and path to more details

Selection criteria

Double-click on line for ...