What is an Abstract Class in SAP ABAP?

DPM125 — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 06:37:17 +0000

An abstract class is a class that cannot be instantiated directly. It serves as a blueprint for other classes. Abstract classes typically include:

Abstract methods, which are declared but not implemented.
Concrete methods, which can be implemented and inherited.

Feature	Description
Not instantiable	Cannot use `CREATE OBJECT` on abstract classes.
Used for inheritance	Serve as base classes for child classes.
Can contain abstract methods	These must be implemented in subclasses.
Can contain concrete methods	These can be used directly by child classes.

REPORT zrep_lclclass.

CLASS lcl_animal DEFINITION ABSTRACT.
  PUBLIC SECTION.
    METHODS:
      speak ABSTRACT,
      move.         " This can be implemented if needed
ENDCLASS.

CLASS lcl_animal IMPLEMENTATION.
  METHOD move.
    WRITE: 'Animal is moving'.
  ENDMETHOD.
ENDCLASS.

" Concrete subclass
CLASS lcl_dog DEFINITION INHERITING FROM lcl_animal.
  PUBLIC SECTION.
    METHODS:
      speak REDEFINITION.
ENDCLASS.

CLASS lcl_dog IMPLEMENTATION.
  METHOD speak.
    WRITE: 'Woof!'.
  ENDMETHOD.
ENDCLASS.

START-OF-SELECTION.
  " Parent Class
  DATA(lo_animal) = NEW lcl_animal( ).
  lo_animal->speak( ).
  WRITE: 'Animal can speak'.
  SKIP.
  " child class
  DATA(lo_dog) = NEW lcl_dog( ).
  lo_dog->speak( ).
  lo_dog->move( ).

Output:
Check the Program ( CTRL + F2 ).

if not initated the Parent class then the output will be.

Output:

oo abap – SAP EWM Help

What is an Abstract Class in SAP ABAP?