How To Fix DDLS238 - CASE (THEN): Maximum data type cannot be determined (&,&) (&,&)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: DDLS - For DDL source handling

• Message number: 238

• Message text: CASE (THEN): Maximum data type cannot be determined (&,&) (&,&)

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.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message DDLS238 - CASE (THEN): Maximum data type cannot be determined (&,&) (&,&) ?

  The SAP error message DDLS238 indicates that there is an issue with determining the maximum data type for a CASE statement in a SQL query or a data definition language (DDL) operation. This typically occurs when the CASE statement is used in a way that the SQL engine cannot infer a common data type for the different branches of the CASE expression.
  Cause:
  The error can arise due to several reasons:
  
  Inconsistent Data Types: The branches of the CASE statement return different data types that cannot be implicitly converted to a common type.
  NULL Values: If some branches return NULL and others return a specific data type, the SQL engine may struggle to determine the maximum data type.
  Complex Expressions: If the expressions used in the CASE statement are complex or involve different data types, it can lead to ambiguity.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the DDLS238 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Ensure Consistent Data Types: Make sure that all branches of the CASE statement return values of the same data type. If necessary, use explicit type casting to convert values to a common type.
  Example:
  CASE 
      WHEN condition1 THEN CAST(value1 AS VARCHAR(100))
      WHEN condition2 THEN CAST(value2 AS VARCHAR(100))
      ELSE CAST(value3 AS VARCHAR(100))
  END
  
  
  Use Explicit Data Types: If you are using literals or constants in the CASE statement, ensure that they are explicitly defined with a data type that matches the expected output.
  
  
  Check for NULL Handling: If any branch can return NULL, ensure that the data type of the NULL is compatible with the other branches. You can use the COALESCE function to provide a default value.
  
  
  Simplify Expressions: If the expressions in the CASE statement are complex, try to simplify them or break them down into smaller parts to help the SQL engine determine the data type.
  
  
  Review SQL Syntax: Ensure that the SQL syntax is correct and that there are no other errors in the surrounding code that might be affecting the CASE statement.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for more details on SQL syntax and data types.
  Data Type Conversion: Familiarize yourself with how data type conversion works in SAP HANA or the specific database you are using.
  Debugging Tools: Use debugging tools or SQL trace to analyze the query execution and identify where the type mismatch occurs.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the DDLS238 error and ensure that your CASE statement works as intended.