Design and Deploy Fiori Application Using CAP Model
The SAP Cloud Application Programming Model (CAP Model) is a framework that simplifies cloud application development on SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP). It provides a structured way to define data models, business logic, and services, ensuring seamless integration with SAP HANA, SAP UI5, OData, and other SAP solutions. CAP supports Node.js and Java, allowing developers to build enterprise-grade Fiori applications efficiently.
- Ensures a smooth and scalable user experience.
- Provides fast, secure, and real-time Fiori application
- Enables seamless integration with SAP systemslike S/4HANA, SAP Fiori elements, and APIs.
- Supports mobile-friendly and cloud-native applications.
- Faster Development– Automates OData service creation and handles dependencies.
- Full-Stack Support– Develop backend (CDS, OData) and frontend (SAP UI5, Fiori application) in one environment.
- Flexibility– Supports multiple languages (js, Java) and databases (SAP HANA, PostgreSQL, SQLite).
- Built-in Security– Integrated with SAP XSUAA for authentication and authorization.
- Effortless Deployment– Easily deploy Fiori applications to SAP BTP Cloud Foundry, Kyma.
SAP Build plays a crucial role in accelerating Fiori application development by providing a low-code/no-code environment on SAP BTP. With SAP Build, developers and business users can collaboratively create applications, automate processes, and design engaging user experiences without extensive coding. When combined with the CAP Model, SAP Build enhances application development efficiency, ensuring seamless integration with SAP UI5, SAP Fiori, and OData services.
- Rapid Development– Pre-built tools and automatic dependency management reduce coding efforts.
- Seamless Integration– Works natively with SAP BTP, SAP UI5, SAP Fiori elements, and OData services.
- Scalability & Performance– Designed for high-performance cloud application programming model-based applications.
- Extensibility– Supports microservices, APIs, and third-party integrations.
- Future-Proof– Aligns with SAP’s clean core and event-driven architecture
There are two options to create a CAP Model project:
- Create from Template– This provides a guided approach via the SAP Business Application Studio.
- From Command– Useful for developers comfortable with the command-line interface.
This initializes a CAP Model project with default configurations and installs necessary dependencies.
- Define the Data Model
- Create a db/schema.cdsfile to define your data model.
- Define the Service Layer
- Create a srv/service.cds
SAP Build offers a powerful visual development environment to add a Fiori application, allowing users to rapidly create UI components without deep technical expertise. The integration of SAP Build Apps with CAP Model ensures a flexible and scalable frontend, enabling faster prototyping and deployment of SAP Fiori applications.
To add a Fiori application, follow these steps:
- Add an mta.yaml fileto the project.
- Create the Fiori module.
- Configure the Fiori module.
- Verify the UI Project:
- The system generates a UI project inside the app
- Automatically creates all necessary configuration files, including XML views and controllers.
- Customize the UI:
- Modify XML files in the view
- Implement additional logic in the controller
- Utilize SAP UI5components such as tables, forms, and buttons.
- Test the Application:
- Open the application in the browser to verify functionality.
npm install - Add deployment configurationfor the Fiori application:
- Open Deployment Configuration Generatorand fill in details.
- Launchpad Configuration (Optional):
- If needed, add Launchpad configurationto integrate the Fiori application with SAP Launchpad Service.
A new folder will be created containing the MTA archive, ready for deployment.
- Once your project is built, deploy the generated MTA Archive
- Verify your Fiori applicationin the HTML5 Applications Repository within SAP BTP Cockpit.
- Open the application URLgenerated after deployment.
- Ensure all functionalities work as expected.
Conclusion
The CAP Model simplifies backend development, while Fiori Elements accelerates UI development. Also, leveraging SAP Build alongside the CAP Model enhances the efficiency of Fiori application development while enabling business users to contribute to the design process. The combination of SAP Build Apps, SAP Build Process Automation, and SAP BTP ensures a seamless, scalable, and cloud-native approach to building modern enterprise applications.
Author – Mitalee Chaudhari
