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Installing the PyRFC Module for SAP Integration: A Step-by-Step Guide

Integrating Python with SAP systems using the PyRFC module can unlock powerful automation and data access capabilities. This article provides a clear, professional walkthrough for setting up the SAP NetWeaver RFC SDK and building the PyRFC Python package from scratch.

Prerequisites

  • Access to the SAP NetWeaver RFC SDK (download from the official SAP website)
  • Basic familiarity with Linux command line
  • Python 3.x and administrative privileges on your system

1. Download the NetWeaver RFC SDK

  • Download the latest NetWeaver RFC SDK from the SAP website.
  • Place the downloaded file (nwrfc750P_14-70002752.zip) in your repository's assets folder for easy access.

2. Prepare the SAP SDK Directory

Create the target directory for the SAP SDK:

sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/sap/

3. Extract and Copy the SDK

  • Extract the nwrfcsdk folder from the ZIP file.
  • Copy the extracted nwrfcsdk folder to /usr/local/sap/.

4. Configure the Library Path

Create a configuration file for the dynamic linker and add the SDK library path:

sudo nano /etc/ld.so.conf.d/nwrfcsdk.conf

# Add the following line to the file:
/usr/local/sap/nwrfcsdk/lib

5. Update the Library Cache and Set Environment Variable

Update the system's library cache and set the required environment variable:

sudo ldconfig
# Verify the path configuration should not have any errors
ldconfig -p | grep sap
# Set Environment Variable
export SAPNWRFC_HOME=/usr/local/sap/nwrfcsdk

6. Install Cython and Build Essentials

Install the necessary build tools and Python dependencies:

pip install Cython
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y build-essential python3-dev

7. Build and Install pyrfc

Clone the PyRFC repository and build the package:

git clone https://github.com/SAP/PyRFC.git
cd PyRFC
python -m pip install --upgrade build
PYRFC_BUILD_CYTHON=yes python -m build --wheel --sdist --outdir dist
pip install --upgrade --no-index --find-links=dist pyrfc

Pro Tip: Double-check all paths and environment variables before building. For troubleshooting, consult the PyRFC documentation or reach out to the SAP community forums.

By following these steps, you’ll have a working Python-to-SAP integration environment using the pyrfc module. Happy coding!