SAP -This has some collective details regarding SAP landscape and Golden client. I explored for my knowledge from SDN and google . beginners can have a look at this for understanding and interview .

1. SAP Landscape
Landscape is like a server system or like a layout of the servers or some may even call it the architecture of the servers .
SAP is divided into three different landscapes DEV, QAS and PROD.
 Development
 Quality
 Production
DEV would have multiple clients for ex: 190- Sandbox, 000- Golden, and 180- Unit Test.
QAS may again have multiple clients for ex: 300- Integration Test, 700 to 710 Training.
PROD may have something like a 200 Production.
Development Client
All the development related activities related to customization or new programs are done here.
Quality Client
This is often called as Testing Client, mostly used for testing purposes of all the developments/ enhancements done before
transporting to production.
Production Client
All the real time entries are done in this Client; this is user interface client, where online data is posted.
Sandbox Client - It has all the settings as it is production, all the development activities are first done here for practice.
All the developments are done in Development tested informally, transported to Quality and formally tested there documented
and transports from development are moved to production.
Now whatever you do in the Sandbox doesn't affect the other servers or clients.
Whenever you think you are satisfied with your configuration and you think you can use it moving forward, you RE-DO it in the golden client
Golden client is a very neat and clean client and you cannot use it for rough usage.
DEVELOPMENT ---> QUALITY ----> PRODUCTION
DEVELOPMENT: is where the the consultants do the customization as per the company's requirement.
QUALITY: is where the core team members and other members test the customization.
PRODUCTION: is where the live data of the company is recorded.
A request will flow from Dev->Qual->Prod and not backwards.
Golden Client
 Golden client contains all the configuration data and master data so some extent.
All the configuration settings are done in golden clients and then moved to other clients.
Hence this client acts as a master record for all transaction settings, hence the name "Golden Client".
 You don't run any transaction or even use the SAP Easy Access screen on the Golden client. This is a configuration only client.
 Now upon a successful transport by the BASIS guy, you have the entire configuration in the Testing client, just as it is in the Golden
client. The configuration remains in sync between these two clients.
 The Golden client remains the 'database' (if you want to call it that) or you may rather call it the 'ultimate' reference client for the
entire good, complete and final configuration that is being used in the implementation.
 Ideally you do your customizations in the golden client once you are sure of the configurations, as the name suggests its "golden". So
it is better to try out the customizations first in any other sand-box client or system. And, then do it on the golden client.

2.  And yes you can move across these customizations from one client to another as well, using SCC1. The beauty of SCC1 is you can
even move across transports without releasing them.
 Normally, you make the changes, customization; modification is one development client and once you are sure these are working you
moves it to the golden client.
 After SAP is installed every customer customizes it to the needs of the organization by doing innumerable configuration changes
which is known as customizations & which is client-independent.
 To prevent this data from being destroyed, overwritten, spoiled, etc a golden client is kept to preserve these configurations.
( Few discussions saying that golden client is a development client and few say it’s a productive client, I am just sharing all that I
searched )
Golden Client - Development client
 The Development Client is also the Golden Client because it has all the correct configuration settings which have been
Tested and is error free.
 The Golden Client is taken a reference while performing some other configuration
Settings. You cannot change any settings in the golden client.
 Golden Client is the where all your configurations/developments are done. All the TRs are moved to Qty System from this client
itself.
 Generally in your Development System u will have 3 clients:
1. Golden Master.
TP are moved here from Sandbox client.
Master Data is copied as per the requirement.
Number Range related activities can be made on sandbox client.
2. Testing Client.
Testing is done here
3. Sandbox client.
Golden Client -Productive client
 Golden client is the productive client in SAP system landscape...for example if you have DEV,QA and PRD system then as per
procedure you have a maintain same productive client on each system. That client is called golden client.
 You will not be able to make any modifications, manually, to the ‘production’ Client and the authorization is very limited because this
Client is responsible for day-to-day business transactions and any issues here will jeopardize all business operations, which is why this
is also called the ‘live’ Client.
Note :IDES : is purely for education purpose and is NOT INCLUDED in the landscape.