How To Fix CM_SUB_MLI012 - Cycle is not permitted in inheritance relationship

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: CM_SUB_MLI - Messages for Multilevel Inheritance

• Message number: 012

• Message text: Cycle is not permitted in inheritance relationship

What causes this issue?

You attempted to create an inheritance relationship in which the target
specification would at the same time serve as the source specification
for itself via other inheritance or reference relationships (directly or
indirectly).

How to fix this error?

Choose the source and target specifications such that cyclic
relationships cannot arise.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message CM_SUB_MLI012 - Cycle is not permitted in inheritance relationship ?

  The SAP error message CM_SUB_MLI012: Cycle is not permitted in inheritance relationship typically occurs in the context of Master Data Management, particularly when dealing with the inheritance of characteristics or attributes in a classification system. This error indicates that there is a circular reference in the inheritance structure, which is not allowed.
  Cause:
  The error arises when you have defined a hierarchy or inheritance relationship between objects (like classes or characteristics) in such a way that it creates a cycle. For example, if Class A inherits from Class B, and Class B inherits from Class A, this creates a circular dependency, which is not permissible in SAP.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you need to identify and eliminate the circular reference in the inheritance relationships. Here are the steps you can take:
  
  
  Review Inheritance Relationships: Check the inheritance relationships of the classes or characteristics involved. Look for any circular references where one class inherits from another that eventually leads back to the first class.
  
  
  Modify Relationships: Once you identify the cycle, modify the inheritance relationships to break the cycle. This may involve changing the parent class of one or more classes to ensure that there is a clear, non-circular hierarchy.
  
  
  Use the Class Hierarchy Tool: Utilize SAP's class hierarchy tools to visualize the relationships. This can help you see the structure more clearly and identify where the cycle is occurring.
  
  
  Test Changes: After making changes, test the inheritance structure to ensure that the error no longer occurs and that the desired functionality is maintained.
  
  
  Documentation: Document the changes made to the inheritance structure for future reference and to help prevent similar issues.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific guidance or patches related to this error message. SAP frequently updates its documentation and may have specific recommendations for your version.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they have found.
  Training and Documentation: Consider reviewing SAP training materials or documentation related to classification and inheritance in SAP to better understand how to structure your data without creating cycles.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the CM_SUB_MLI012 error and ensure that your inheritance relationships are correctly configured.