How To Fix BRAIN_DEV004 - Distribution has returned an empty set

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: BRAIN_DEV - BRAIN messages (for use by development)

• Message number: 004

• Message text: Distribution has returned an empty set

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message BRAIN_DEV004 - Distribution has returned an empty set ?

  The SAP error message BRAIN_DEV004: Distribution has returned an empty set typically occurs in the context of SAP BW (Business Warehouse) or SAP BusinessObjects when a query or report is executed, but the underlying data set is empty. This can happen for several reasons, and understanding the cause is crucial for finding a solution.
  Causes:
  
  
  No Data Available: The most straightforward reason is that there is no data available for the selected criteria in the query. This could be due to filters applied that exclude all records.
  
  
  Incorrect Query Design: The query might be incorrectly designed, leading to no data being fetched. This could be due to joins, conditions, or aggregations that filter out all records.
  
  
  Data Load Issues: There may have been issues during the data loading process into the BW system, resulting in no data being available in the InfoProvider.
  
  
  Time Period Selection: If the query is set to a specific time period and there is no data for that period, it will return an empty set.
  
  
  Authorization Issues: The user executing the query may not have the necessary authorizations to view the data, leading to an empty result set.
  
  
  Data Source Changes: Changes in the underlying data source or InfoProvider structure can lead to discrepancies in the data being fetched.
  
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Check Data Availability: Verify that there is data in the InfoProvider for the selected criteria. You can do this by running a simple query or checking the data in the underlying tables.
  
  
  Review Query Design: Examine the query design for any filters, conditions, or joins that may be overly restrictive. Adjust them as necessary to ensure that data can be retrieved.
  
  
  Data Load Monitoring: Check the data load process in the BW system to ensure that data has been loaded successfully. Look for any errors or warnings in the data load logs.
  
  
  Adjust Time Period: If the query is time-sensitive, try adjusting the time period to see if data exists for a different range.
  
  
  Check Authorizations: Ensure that the user has the necessary authorizations to access the data. This may involve checking roles and permissions in the SAP system.
  
  
  Validate Data Source: If there have been recent changes to the data source or InfoProvider, validate that the query is still compatible with the current structure.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message. SAP frequently updates its knowledge base with solutions to common problems.
  Transaction Codes: Use transaction codes like RSA1 (Data Warehousing Workbench) to monitor data loads and check InfoProviders.
  Query Designer: Use the Query Designer tool to analyze and modify the query to ensure it is set up correctly.
  Logs and Traces: Review logs and traces for any additional error messages or warnings that may provide more context about the issue.
  
  By systematically checking these areas, you should be able to identify the cause of the BRAIN_DEV004 error and implement an appropriate solution.