Before release 6.10, SAP supported different codes for representing characters of different fonts, for example ASCII, EBCDIC as single-byte code pages or double-bytecode pages:
Using these character sets, all languages can be handled individually in one ABAP-based SAP system. Difficulties arise if texts from different incompatible character sets are mixed in one central system. The exchange of data between systems with incompatible character sets can also lead to problems.
The solution to this problem is the use of a character set that includes all characters at once. This is realized by Unicode Unicode (ISO/IEC 10646) . A variety of Unicode character representations is possible for the Unicode character set, for example UTF, in which a character can occupy between one and four bytes.
From release 6.10, the SAP NetWeaver Application Server supports both Unicode and non-Unicode systems. Non-Unicode systems are conventional ABAP systems, in which one character is usually represented by one byte. Unicode systems are ABAP systems that are based on a Unicode character set and which have a corresponding underlying operating system, including a database.
Before release 6.10, many ABAP programming methods were based on the fact that one character corresponds to one byte. Before a system is converted to Unicode, ABAP programs must therefore be modified at all points where an explicit or implicit assumption is made about the internal length of a character.
ABAP supports this conversion using new syntax rules and new language constructs, whereby emphasis was placed on retaining as much of the existing source code as possible. As a preparation for the conversion to Unicode - but also independently of whether a system will actually be converted to Unicode - the checkbox Unicode checks active can be selected in the program properties. The transaction UCCHECK supports the activation of this check for existing programs. If this property is set, the program is identified as a Unicode program. In a Unicode program, an additional stricter syntax check is performed than in non-Unicode programs. In some cases, statements must also be enhanced by using new additions. A syntactically correct Unicode program will normally run with the same semantics and the same results in Unicode and non-Unicode systems. (Exceptions to this rule are low-level programs that query and evaluate the number of bytes per character). Programs that are required to run in both systems should therefore also be tested on both platforms.
In a Unicode system, only Unicode programs can be executed. Before converting to a Unicode system, the profile parameter abap/unicode_check should be set to "ON" so that only the execution of Unicode programs is permitted. Non-Unicode programs can only be executed in non-Unicode systems. All language constructs that have been introduced for Unicode programs can, however, also be used in non-Unicode programs.
It has been established that existing programs that have been programmed with no errors mostly fulfill the new Unicode rules and therefore require very little modification. Conversely, most programs that require significant changes are due to an error-prone and therefore questionable programming style. Even if you are not planning a conversion to a Unicode system, Unicode programs are preferable because they are more easily maintained and less prone to errors. Just as outdated and dangerous language constructs are declared obsolete and are no longer permitted for use in ABAP Objects, the rules for Unicode programs also offer increased security when programming, for example when working with character fields and mixed structures. This applies particularly for the storage of external data (for example using the file interface), which has been completely reviewed for use in Unicode programs. When creating a new program, SAP therefore recommends that you always identify the program as a Unicode program, and older programs can be converted to Unicode in stages.