Implicit vs Explicit Enhancement Points

Explanation

Implicit points are available automatically at the beginning/end of forms, methods and includes — SAP does not need to declare them. Explicit points are declared by SAP using ENHANCEMENT-POINT / ENHANCEMENT-SECTION statements and are more stable across upgrades. Sections allow replacement of the enclosed code by an implementation.

Code example

" Explicit enhancement point declared by SAPENHANCEMENT-POINT calc_price SPOTS es_sd_pricing." Customer implementation activated via SE19.

Real project scenario

An explicit enhancement in the pricing routine survived S/4HANA conversion without adjustment; an implicit one at the same location required manual rework.

Common mistakes

Using implicit points inside dynamic code generated by SAP; adding heavy logic that slows every call.

Best practices

Keep enhancement code short; log activations; prefer explicit over implicit whenever available.

Interview angle

Why are explicit points safer for upgrades?