How To Fix DB6112 - Sort heap: Number of sort overflows per day

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: DB6 - DB6: Alert Monitoring and Alert Configuration

• Message number: 112

• Message text: Sort heap: Number of sort overflows per day

What causes this issue?

While the system is processing commands, it must sometimes sort the
interim results. This can be for the following reasons:
The system can work on in an optimized fashion with the sorted set
The sort has been explicitly requested using the addition ORDER BY
Sorts of this type are performed, as far as possible, in a particular
area of main memory, the sort heap. However, it can become necessary to
page out parts of the data during the sort, when working with large
data sets. As this type of page out impairs performance, they should
not occur too often. You can set the size of the sort area using the
database configuration parameter SORTHEAP.

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message DB6112 - Sort heap: Number of sort overflows per day ?

  The SAP error message DB6112, which indicates "Sort heap: Number of sort overflows per day," is related to database performance issues, specifically concerning the sorting operations that exceed the allocated memory for sorting. This can lead to inefficiencies and slow performance in database operations.
  Cause:
  
  Insufficient Memory Allocation: The sort heap memory allocated for sorting operations is not sufficient to handle the volume of data being processed.
  High Volume of Data: Large datasets or complex queries that require sorting can lead to more sort operations than the allocated memory can handle.
  Database Configuration: The database parameters related to memory allocation for sorting may not be optimally configured.
  Inefficient Queries: Poorly optimized SQL queries that require extensive sorting can lead to increased sort overflows.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Increase Sort Heap Size:
  
  Adjust the database parameters to increase the sort heap size. This can typically be done in the database configuration settings.
  For example, in an SAP system using Oracle, you might adjust the sort_area_size parameter.
  
  
  
  Optimize Queries:
  
  Review and optimize SQL queries to reduce the need for sorting. This can involve adding indexes, rewriting queries, or breaking them into smaller parts.
  Use the SQL trace (ST05) to identify long-running queries and optimize them.
  
  
  
  Monitor and Analyze:
  
  Use database monitoring tools to analyze the sort operations and identify patterns or specific queries that are causing the overflows.
  Regularly check the performance metrics to ensure that the changes made are effective.
  
  
  
  Database Maintenance:
  
  Perform regular database maintenance tasks such as updating statistics, rebuilding indexes, and cleaning up unnecessary data to improve overall performance.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to the specific database documentation for your SAP system (e.g., Oracle, SQL Server, HANA) for detailed instructions on adjusting memory settings and optimizing performance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes related to DB6112 for any specific recommendations or patches that may address this issue.
  Database Documentation: Review the documentation for your specific database system for best practices on memory management and performance tuning.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they have implemented.
  
  By addressing the underlying causes and implementing the suggested solutions, you can reduce the number of sort overflows and improve the performance of your SAP system.