How To Fix DDLS237 - CASE (WHEN): maximum data type cannot be determined (&,&) (&,&)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: DDLS - For DDL source handling

• Message number: 237

• Message text: CASE (WHEN): maximum data type cannot be determined (&,&) (&,&)

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message DDLS237 - CASE (WHEN): maximum data type cannot be determined (&,&) (&,&) ?

  The SAP error message DDLS237 indicates that there is an issue with the SQL statement, specifically related to the CASE statement in your ABAP code or SQL query. The error message suggests that the maximum data type cannot be determined for the CASE expression, which typically occurs when the data types of the different branches of the CASE statement are incompatible or ambiguous.
  Cause:
  
  Inconsistent Data Types: The branches of the CASE statement return different data types, and SAP cannot determine a common data type for the entire expression.
  NULL Values: If any of the branches can return a NULL value, it may lead to ambiguity in determining the data type.
  Complex Expressions: If the expressions used in the CASE statement are complex or involve different data types, it can lead to this error.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Ensure Consistent Data Types: Make sure that all branches of the CASE statement return values of the same data type. If necessary, use type conversion functions (like CAST or CONVERT) to ensure consistency.
  Example:
  CASE 
      WHEN condition1 THEN CAST(value1 AS data_type)
      WHEN condition2 THEN CAST(value2 AS data_type)
      ELSE CAST(value3 AS data_type)
  END
  
  
  Use Explicit Data Types: If you are using literals in the CASE statement, ensure that they are explicitly defined with a data type that matches the expected output.
  
  
  Check for NULL Values: If any branch can return NULL, consider how you want to handle NULLs. You might want to provide a default value or handle NULLs explicitly.
  
  
  Simplify Expressions: If the expressions are complex, try breaking them down into simpler components or using subqueries to clarify the data types.
  
  
  Review Database Schema: Ensure that the data types of the columns involved in the CASE statement are compatible.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Documentation: Refer to the SAP documentation for SQL syntax and data types to understand how to properly use the CASE statement.
  Debugging: Use transaction codes like SE80 or SE11 to analyze the underlying database tables and their data types.
  Testing: Test the CASE statement in isolation to identify which part is causing the issue.
  
  By addressing the data type inconsistencies and ensuring that all branches of the CASE statement are compatible, you should be able to resolve the DDLS237 error.