SAP Java Connector (SAP JCo)

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions
1. What is the SAP Java Connector (SAP JCo)?
2. What is the SAP Java IDoc Class Library?
3. Can SAP JCo and SAP Java IDoc Class Library be used for communication between SAP and any Java
application via RFCs, BAPIs, and IDocs?
4. How is SAP JCo different from SAP .NET Connector?
5. How is it possible to establish integration quickly to an SAP System?
6. How can I secure the communication between SAP JCo and an SAP System?
7. What are the system requirements for SAP JCo?
8. What is the upgrade path and strategy for the SAP JCo? How will upgrades to the SAP JCo affect my Java
application?
9. How long does the initial install take?
10. What skill sets are necessary to utilize and support SAP JCo? For example, do we need to know Java, SAP
RFC and tRFC, IDocs, ALE, etc?
11. Are there any components or add-ons that must be installed on the SAP Systems in order to work with
SAP JCo?
12. What are the licensing terms for using SAP JCo or SAP Java IDoc Class Library?
13. Can every SAP Customer download and install SAP JCo or SAP Java IDoc Class Library free of cost?
14. We already use ABAP for development. Do we need additional licenses to use the SAP JCo?
15. Do I need a runtime license for running an application that uses the SAP JCo?
16. How can I purchase the necessary licenses for the SAP JCo?
17. Are there any distribution restrictions?
18. What type of support is provided to SAP Customers building solutions using SAP JCo? Do SAP Customers
need to purchase a support contract?
19. Where can the SAP JCo and the SAP Java IDoc Class Library be downloaded?

Answers

1. What is the SAP Java Connector (SAP JCo)?

The SAP Java Connector (SAP JCo) is a toolkit that allows a Java application to communicate with any SAP
System. It combines an easy to use API with unprecedented flexibility and performance. The package
supports both, Java to SAP System as well as SAP System to Java calls.
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2. What is the SAP Java IDoc Class Library?

The SAP Java IDoc Class Library consists of two parts, the SAP Java Base IDoc Class Library and the SAP Java
Connector IDoc Class Library. The SAP Java Base IDoc Class Library provides an API which helps navigating,
reading, filling, and modifying IDocs. This base package is middleware independent. Creating, sending, and
receiving IDocs is middleware dependent. To make use of the SAP Java Base IDoc Class Library you will need
an additional middleware dependent add-on package implementing the defined interfaces like the SAP Java
Connector IDoc Class Library.
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3. Can SAP JCo and SAP Java IDoc Class Library be used for communication between
SAP and any Java application via RFCs, BAPIs, and IDocs?
Yes. All usage in front of any SAP Software is covered.
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4. How is SAP JCo different from SAP .NET Connector?

SAP .NET Connector is based on Microsoft .NET. The SAP .NET Connector offers developers the possibility to
expose BAPIs and remotely enabled function modules to any .NET application (inside-out). It is also possible
to access .NET components from a SAP System (outside-in).
SAP JCo employs standards based information exchange between SAP and a Java application. Additionally,
SAP JCo together with the SAP Java IDoc Class Library offer high level support for IDocs.
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5. How is it possible to establish integration quickly to an SAP System?

SAP JCo appears to an SAP System as an RFC Destination. To direct a BAPI or IDoc Call to SAP JCo you just
use this destination. To incorporate external data or services into your SAP System you create a Java
Application, which defines the interface to the data, and call the implementation.
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6. How can I secure the communication between SAP JCo and an SAP System?
The communication between SAP JCo and an SAP System can be secured via Secure Network Communication
(SNC). For this you need the SAP Cryptographic Library. More information about security including the
required configuration in the SAP System and how to obtain the SAP Cryptographic Library can be found on
the Security Page of SAP. Information about the necessary configuration within SAP JCo can be found in the
Java Doc of SAP JCo and in the RFC SDK help file saprfc.hlp, e. g. under API -> Functions -> RfcOpenEx.
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7. What are the system requirements for SAP JCo?

Please see SAP Note 549268 which describes what operating platforms are supported for SAP JCo, which
releases of SAP JCo are supported until when and what JDKs are required for SAP JCo. Furthermore it is
recommended to have 256 MB physical memory on your hardware.
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8. What is the upgrade path and strategy for the SAP JCo? How will upgrades to the
SAP JCo affect my Java application?
Upgrade happens by installing a new version over an older version. You need to make sure that you delete
all old runtime libraries, since these might interfere with the new libraries. See also the installation
instructions. In general SAP JCo Releases are downward compatible.
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9. How long does the initial install take?

Installation is painless and done in a matter of minutes. Unzip the installation file into an arbitrary directory
and follow the installation instructions about adjusting the (LIB) PATH and CLASSPATH environment
variables. Besides a JDK no additional software is required.
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10. What skill sets are necessary to utilize and support SAP JCo? For example, do we
need to know Java, SAP RFC and tRFC, IDocs, ALE, etc?
Configuration is rapid and straight forward and usually a matter of days for a trained person. Practical
experience with Java Programming plus basic knowledge of SAP Technology, e. g. BAPI or IDoc, is essential.
For error tracking, RFC, tRFC Knowledge is helpful. As for ALE, SAP JCo is a transparent transport layer, so
SAP JCo itself does not require ALE Knowledge.
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11. Are there any components or add-ons that must be installed on the SAP Systems
in order to work with SAP JCo?
No.
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12. What are the licensing terms for using SAP JCo or SAP Java IDoc Class Library?
The license terms are explained on the download pages of SAP JCo and SAP Java IDoc Class Library.
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13. Can every SAP Customer download and install SAP JCo or SAP Java IDoc Class
Library free of cost?
SAP JCo and SAP Java IDoc Class Library are available free of cost and can be downloaded from the SAP
Service Marketplace. The license terms are pointed out on the download pages and in the documentation of
the products.
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14. We already use ABAP for development. Do we need additional licenses to use the
SAP JCo?
If you have existing developer licenses these named persons already have the required license to develop
solutions based on the SAP JCo. If additional persons want to develop based on the SAP JCo, you will have to
acquire additional developers licenses for them.
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15. Do I need a runtime license for running an application that uses the SAP JCo?
The runtime does not require any immediate license fees. However, please note that each user accessing
application functionality through the SAP JCo is required to be licensed under a respective solution or
component license.
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16. How can I purchase the necessary licenses for the SAP JCo?
To obtain the necessary licenses please contact your local SAP Office.
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17. Are there any distribution restrictions?

Yes. The redistribution is not allowed. Please see the license terms on the download page.
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18. What type of support is provided to SAP Customers building solutions using SAP
JCo? Do SAP Customers need to purchase a support contract?
SAP Customers get full support and service from SAP. This support is provided via the SAP Service
Marketplace.
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19. Where can the SAP JCo and the SAP Java IDoc Class Library be downloaded?
The SAP JCo can be downloaded from the Tools & Services Page of SAP JCo. The SAP JCo package includes
the software as well as documentation, tutorial, and examples. The SAP Java IDoc Class Library can be
downloaded from the same URL, and then follow the link to SAP Java IDoc Class Library. The SAP Java IDoc
Class Library packages include the software as well as documentation.
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