SAP table with Version and Instance name:

SAP R/3 stores its version, instance name and OS platform in tables!
this is excellent as you can then query the database to get the R/3 version, Instance Name and OS platform as follows:

select * from SAPR3.SVERS ;
select * from SAPR3.TSLE4 ;

You don't even have to log on to the application to get this info. The above query gives it to you in less than 1 second.

Eg:

C:\>sqlplus /nolog

SQL*Plus: Release 8.1.7.0.0 - Production on Tue Nov 7 19:16:15 2006

(c) Copyright 2000 Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved.

SQL>

SQL> show user
USER is ""

SQL> conn system/system
Connected.

SQL> select * from SAPR3.SVERS;

VERSION
---------------------------------
46C

SQL> SELECT * FROM SAPR3.TSLE4;

SERVER OPSYS
-------------------- ----------
dev_DEV_00 Windows NT