What Does Pretty Printer Mean?
Pretty Printer is a code beautifier provided for source codes in SAP ABAP programs. The source code in ABAP, although stored in the database in the same manner as in ABABP Editor, is not standardized automatically. Pretty Printer helps to standardize the layout of the program. The functionality provided by Pretty Printer helps in arranging the associated keywords in groups, indents the programming statements and meets the guidelines of readability according to the ABAP user’s guide.
Techopedia Explains Pretty Printer
Some of the prominent features of Pretty Printer in SAP ABAP are: Insertion of proper and appropriate comment blocks before statements containing FORM or MODULE. The functionality also automatically picks up the routine name and parameter used in the statements and automatically fills in the comment blocks. Pretty Printer never separates or breaks the loops or control processing blocks that are written in a single line. It also avoids separating statements with the keyword WHEN if the statement is in a single-line statement. Pretty Printer left justifies remarks or comment that are provided in the command line. This is done only if the number of characters in the statement is 32 characters or fewer. It helps in bringing a standard format to the source code layout. Pretty Printer assigns certain keywords like EVENT, CONTROL and INCLUDE on separate lines. It provides indentation to all command lines and controlling structures with an event by a margin of two spaces. It helps in locating commands that go beyond one line and also helps in placing preceding commands on a new line. Pretty Printer also unites statements that logically belong together. This is done by indenting the statement blocks. To invoke the pretty printer functionality, go to transaction SE38 and select Program-> Pretty Printer.
