…and how to start your career with it.

ABAP: The Language Behind the World’s Biggest Companies

If you’re studying computer science or already writing your first lines of code, chances are you’ve never heard of ABAP.

No worries — most developers haven’t. It’s not trending on Reddit. It’s not used in hackathons. You won’t see it in “Top 10 Languages to Learn in 2025” YouTube videos.

And yet, ABAP runs the world. Literally.

Behind every large enterprise — from car manufacturers and retail chains to banks and tech giants — there’s a huge ERP system called SAP.

And at the heart of SAP, powering everything from financial transactions to warehouse logistics, sits one language: ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming).

In this article, you’ll discover:

• What ABAP really is — and why it quietly powers most of global business.
• Why it might be the best first language to start your IT career.
• What it’s like to study ABAP at LeverX.
• What kind of career you can build afterward.
• And advice straight from those who teach, coordinate, and graduate from the course.

You’ll hear from:

• Alina Arlova, Senior ABAP Developer and Lecturer at LeverX.
• Maryia Kizim, Course Coordinator at LeverX.
• Several course graduates who started exactly where you are now — students curious about coding and looking for a place to begin.

What Is ABAP, and Why Does It Matter?

Let’s start with the basics.

ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming) is the main programming language used to develop applications in the SAP ecosystem — a platform used by over 80% of the world’s largest companies.

When Junior ABAP Developer Jakub Kuderski joined LeverX, he did not know what ABAP or SAP was, either:

“It’s funny, because now I know that SAP runs most of the world’s biggest companies, and I’m working with it. It’s like finding a hidden part of the IT world that no one talks about.”

That means ABAP developers build and maintain the systems that help companies:

• pay employees,
• track shipments,
• manage warehouses,
• and handle billions of dollars in daily transactions.

In other words, it’s not a “startup language” or a “hobbyist tool.” It’s a language of enterprise, designed to make the world’s most complex organizations run smoothly.

As Alina Arlova, Senior ABAP Developer at LeverX, explains:

“Even one line of ABAP code can change how a global business operates. That’s when you realize your work matters.”

Who Is ABAP For?

ABAP isn’t for everyone. Let’s be honest about that. 

If you’re dreaming of building mobile games or experimenting with AI art, ABAP might feel too structured. But if you enjoy solving logical problems, seeing how technology transforms real businesses, and building things that matter — you’ll love it.

One of ABAP course graduates, Aliaksandr Astraumau, shared:

“It’s actually a simple language. You can learn it quickly: it doesn’t have too many operators or unnecessary complexity. Within a week you can already write code. Compared to JavaScript or Java, ABAP feels cleaner: fewer frameworks, fewer distractions. You just learn the basics and start building things that matter.”

Alina Arlova puts it this way:

“ABAP is for those who want to see real impact. You might not create the next social media app, but you’ll make sure products get delivered, employees get paid, and systems work seamlessly for millions of users.”

It’s especially great for:

• University students or graduates with some OOP or SQL knowledge.
• Developers who like backend logic more than visual UI work.
• People who value stability and growth — ABAP specialists are always in demand.
• Those who want a career, not just a project.

Why ABAP Is Worth Your Time

ABAP has been around for decades — that’s why it’s trusted by so many enterprises. But it's far from outdated.

Jakub Kuderski was surprised by this:

"It’s well-documented, it works smoothly, and once you get into it, you understand why it’s still around."

Today’s ABAP includes:

• Cloud development (ABAP Cloud, SAP BTP)
• Modern syntax and OOP principles
• REST APIs and integration with Python, Node.js, and more
• RAP — the modern ABAP programming model
  
  

Alina Arlova teaches modern ABAP. She laughs when people call it old-fashioned.

“I teach students how to build services in ABAP Cloud, connect APIs, and use modern syntax. It’s not the ABAP from the 2000s — it’s a language that evolves with technology.”

Learning ABAP isn’t just about syntax. It’s about understanding how massive real-world systems work.

“When you develop in ABAP, you don’t just write code,” Alina says. “You design processes that thousands of people use daily. It’s real software engineering — with consequences, structure, and purpose.”

The Career Path: From Course to Real Projects

Let’s talk about where this leads.

LeverX, a global IT company and an SAP Gold Partner, has been training ABAP developers for years. Their free ABAP programming course is one of the few ways to get into this ecosystem without prior SAP experience.

In 2024–2025, 50% of SAP ABAP course graduates received a job offer from LeverX.

Graduates join LeverX as Junior ABAP Developers, work under mentorship, and gradually move into project teams serving international clients.

Some start with support or internal projects. Others quickly join real SAP implementations for global companies in manufacturing, logistics, finance, or retail.

One course graduate, Anxhela Beqiri, recalls:

“At my previous job as an ABAP Developer, I mostly worked alone with a senior and a consultant. But here we work in Scrum, and it was a surprise to see how supportive everyone is. It doesn’t matter if you’re a junior, a manager, or an architect — everyone helps each other.”

Another graduate, Iryna Hryniuk, adds:

“Before the course, I’d never even heard of ABAP. It’s not the kind of language you’d just pick up on your own like Java or JavaScript. But once I started, it turned out to be really intuitive — everything was explained in detail, we had great materials, and even when lectures ran longer than planned, nobody wanted to leave. It was just that interesting.”

Inside the LeverX ABAP Course

To understand how the course works, we spoke to Maryia Kizim, LeverX’s course coordinator — the person who meets every candidate first.

Maryia explains the structure:

“It depends on the course, but usually, it lasts for around 1.5 months. Classes are often held offline, twice a week. Each group has about 20–25 people. Students get lectures, homework, and continuous feedback from the lecturer and mentors.”

It’s not a theory marathon. It’s practical from day one.

You will:

• learn the ABAP syntax and SAP architecture,
• understand how databases and business logic connect,
• and complete homework that mirrors real project tasks.

“Students often say, ‘Wow, this is how it really works on a project!’ — and that’s exactly our goal,” says Alina. “We teach not just coding, but how to think like a developer in a business environment.”

 

How to Get Into the Course

Now, let’s be real — competition is strong. Hundreds apply, but only 20–25 make it into each group. So what makes a candidate stand out?

Maryia shares:

“We look for people who show motivation and readiness to learn. Even if someone’s technical base is not perfect, enthusiasm and curiosity make a big difference.”

As for the full details about the ABAP course selection process, visit our ABAP course page.

Maryia gives simple but valuable advice for interviews:

“Turn on your camera, test your sound, look prepared. We’re not judging your background — we’re looking for engagement and interest. If you can explain what excites you in IT and ask thoughtful questions, you already stand out.”

 

What Students Struggle With — and How to Overcome It

Every beginner hits challenges. The biggest one? Understanding the SAP environment.

“The hardest part for most students isn’t ABAP syntax,” Alina explains. “It’s realizing how the system works — activation, objects, dependencies. But once they get it, everything else clicks.”

Other common struggles:

• Fear of not knowing enough at the start.
• Time management between university and homework.
• Underestimating English — much of the documentation and interviews are in English.

How to overcome that?

• Ask questions (mentors are there for a reason).
• Do every homework assignment, even if it’s tough.
• Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.” Honesty and curiosity are valued.

The team behind the ABAP programming course.

Myths About ABAP — Debunked

Myth 1: ABAP feels outdated.

Modern ABAP uses cloud, OOP, and REST APIs. It’s as modern as Java — just in a different field.

Myth 2: ABAP developers work on boring corporate stuff.

The “corporate” part is actually where the fun begins. You’re coding systems that manage logistics, manufacturing, HR, and more for huge enterprises.

Myth 3: You can’t switch from ABAP to other technologies.

Wrong again. Once you understand enterprise architecture and databases, switching to backend development in other languages becomes easier, not harder.

Myth 4: ABAP jobs don’t pay well.

In reality, ABAP developers enjoy strong salaries, stable employment, and clear career growth. There’s high demand and relatively low competition.

What Your Career Can Look Like

So, what happens after you complete the course?

If you perform well, you’ll be invited to interview for a Junior ABAP Developer position at LeverX.

That’s where the real journey starts.

Stage 1: Junior Developer

You’ll work under mentor supervision, handle internal tasks, and learn the company’s SAP ecosystem.

Stage 2: Middle Developer

After 1–2 years, you’ll start taking ownership of modules, writing complex logic, and communicating with clients.

Stage 3: Senior / Team Lead

With experience, you can lead a small ABAP team, mentor newcomers, and design architectures.

Stage 4: Beyond Coding

Many ABAP specialists grow into SAP Consultants, Solution Architects, or Project Managers — because they understand how business and technology connect.

“ABAP opens more doors than people expect,” says Alina. “It teaches you how enterprises work, and that knowledge is incredibly valuable — even outside of development.”

 

The LeverX Experience: More Than Just a Course

One thing that comes up again and again from graduates is the community.

During the course, you’ll meet like-minded students who share your curiosity and drive. Many of them later join LeverX — meaning when you start your first job, you already have friends there.

As one graduate, Iryna Hryniuk, puts it:

“We always had someone to ask — mentors, classmates, or even the group chat. If you got stuck, someone would help. And if you didn’t ask, mentors would often answer out loud anyway, so everyone learned together. That kind of support made it easier to stay motivated and confident.”

Maryia agrees:

“That’s exactly why we do it offline. It’s not just about code — it’s about people. The best developers are the ones who can collaborate.”

 

Final Advice from Those Who Know

We asked everyone we spoke with — what would they tell students thinking about applying?

Here’s what they said:

Maryia Kizim, Course Coordinator:

“Don’t wait until you ‘feel ready.’ Apply even if you’re unsure. Motivation and curiosity matter more than perfect technical knowledge.”

Alina Arlova, Senior ABAP Developer and Lecturer:

“Be patient and open-minded. ABAP might not seem exciting at first, but once you understand its depth, you’ll never call it boring again.”

Jakub Kuderski, Junior ABAP Developer:

“My biggest advice would be: don’t be afraid to ask questions. ABAP and SAP are big and complex, and it’s impossible to figure everything out alone. Once I started asking more, things got much clearer. People are happy to help you — you just have to reach out.”

Anxhela Beqiri, Junior ABAP Developer:

“Be curious. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask questions — there are no dumb ones. The mentors are really supportive, and every lecture has something worth learning. So just ask, enjoy, and learn as much as you can.”

Aliaksandr Astraumau, Junior ABAP Developer:

“Don’t overthink it — just apply. The demand for ABAP developers is high, and the competition is low. Unlike frontend or general backend roles where you compete with hundreds, in ABAP you actually have a real chance to land a job and grow. And what’s better than getting a job you enjoy?”

Iryna Hryniuk, Junior Java CAP Developer:

“Believe that you can do it, even if it sounds cliché. Write everything you know in your course application, keep improving your English — it really matters — and never stop asking questions. Asking questions is the most important skill in any kind of learning.”

Dzmitry Maisiayonak, Junior ABAP Developer:

“Don’t doubt yourself. If something doesn’t work right away, don’t give up — try to understand it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and practice as much as you can. Every mistake you make is an experience. That’s the only way to really grow.”

Dzianis Basalai, Middle ABAP Developer:

“At the start of the course it might feel difficult, especially for those who are completely new to ABAP. My advice is not to give up during the first part — it gets easier later.”

 

Ready to Start?

Most developers start their careers learning what everyone else is learning — Java, Python, JavaScript. Few take the path less traveled.

But those who do — those who learn ABAP — find themselves working on real, global projects faster than they ever imagined.

So if you’re curious, motivated, and ready to learn something that truly powers the world, this is your moment.