Need to execute a program in background

Question

Hello,
I have a report program that has a checkbox option to 'Execute in background'. This should also generate a spool file in SAP. I would just like to ask for options on how to do about this.
I have thought of using the SUBMIT command and I read that this command can also generate a spool file. So it is like calling the program itself. Is this possible? Or do I need to make a cloned program and call submit the parameters to the cloned program?
Is there a function module that does this?
I'd appreciate your help on this. Thanks in advance!
Regards,
Kristine

Answer 1

Hello,
To create a Job Step, the FM 'JOB_OPEN' could be used.
To add a JOBSTEP, In your case an ABAP program, "SUBMIT" could be used.
To close the job step, use FM "JOB_CLOSE".
SAMPLE Code:
  CALL FUNCTION 'JOB_OPEN'
       EXPORTING
        DELANFREP        = ' '
        JOBGROUP         = ' '
           jobname          = 'XYZ'
           sdlstrtdt        = sy-datum "Current date
           sdlstrttm        = sy-uzeit
      IMPORTING
           jobcount         = g_jobcount
      EXCEPTIONS
           cant_create_job  = 1
           invalid_job_data = 2
           jobname_missing  = 3
           OTHERS           = 4
  IF sy-subrc <> 0.
    MESSAGE ID sy-msgid TYPE sy-msgty NUMBER sy-msgno
            WITH sy-msgv1 sy-msgv2 sy-msgv3 sy-msgv4.
  ENDIF.
  SUBMIT z_PROGRAM AND RETURN
     USER sy-uname      " User for runtime authorizations
     WITH p_para   EQ p_para
     "..... Selection screen parameters
     VIA JOB g_jobname NUMBER g_jobcount
                     " Job name and job number
                     " from JOB_OPEN
     TO SAP-SPOOL    " Print and archiving options from
                     " GET_PRINT_PARAMETERS
                     " Both sets of options come from
                     " GET_PRINT_PARAMETERS
        SPOOL PARAMETERS g_s_user_print_params
        ARCHIVE PARAMETERS g_s_user_arc_params
        WITHOUT SPOOL DYNPRO.
  CALL FUNCTION 'JOB_CLOSE'
       EXPORTING
        AT_OPMODE                   = ' '
        AT_OPMODE_PERIODIC          = ' '
        CALENDAR_ID                 = ' '
        EVENT_ID                    = ' '
        EVENT_PARAM                 = ' '
        EVENT_PERIODIC              = ' '
            jobcount                    = g_jobcount
            jobname                     = g_jobname
        LASTSTRTDT                  = NO_DATE
        LASTSTRTTM                  = NO_TIME
        PRDDAYS                     = 0
        PRDHOURS                    = 0
        PRDMINS                     = 0
        PRDMONTHS                   = 0
        PRDWEEKS                    = 0
        PREDJOB_CHECKSTAT           = ' '
        PRED_JOBCOUNT               = ' '
        PRED_JOBNAME                = ' '
           sdlstrtdt                   = g_datum
           sdlstrttm                   = g_uzeit
        STARTDATE_RESTRICTION       = BTC_PROCESS_ALWAYS
        STRTIMMED                   = ' '
        TARGETSYSTEM                = ' '
        START_ON_WORKDAY_NOT_BEFORE = SY-DATUM
        START_ON_WORKDAY_NR         = 0
        WORKDAY_COUNT_DIRECTION     = 0
        RECIPIENT_OBJ               =
        TARGETSERVER                = ' '
      IMPORTING
           job_was_released            = g_job_released
      EXCEPTIONS
           cant_start_immediate        = 1
           invalid_startdate           = 2
           jobname_missing             = 3
           job_close_failed            = 4
           job_nosteps                 = 5
           job_notex                   = 6
           lock_failed                 = 7
           OTHERS                      = 8
You can get the Print Parameters from FM: 'GET_PRINT_PARAMETERS'.
All the above FMs have detailed documentation which will help you.
Hope this helps you.
Regards, Murugesh AS