DDLS408 - If CAST with type is on & (&, type &), type and length must be the same

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: DDLS - For DDL source handling

• Message number: 408

• Message text: If CAST with type is on & (&, type &), type and length must be the same

What causes this issue?

If you have a CAST on data elements, the type and length of the source
and target must be the same.

System Response

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

How to fix this error?

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message DDLS408 - If CAST with type is on & (&, type &), type and length must be the same ?

  The SAP error message DDLS408 typically occurs during the execution of a Data Definition Language (DDL) statement, particularly when there is an issue with a CAST operation in a SQL statement. This error indicates that there is a mismatch between the data types or lengths of the fields being cast.
  Cause:
  The error message DDLS408 is triggered when:
  
  You are trying to cast a value from one data type to another, but the specified types do not match in terms of length or structure.
  For example, if you are trying to cast a CHAR(10) to a CHAR(5), this will cause an error because the lengths are not the same.
  It can also occur if you are trying to cast between incompatible types, such as trying to cast a numeric type to a character type without ensuring that the lengths are compatible.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the DDLS408 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Data Types: Review the data types involved in the CAST operation. Ensure that the source and target types are compatible and that their lengths match.
  
  
  Adjust Lengths: If you are casting between character types, make sure that the length of the source type does not exceed the length of the target type. You may need to adjust the lengths accordingly.
  
  
  Modify the SQL Statement: If necessary, modify your SQL statement to ensure that the CAST operation is valid. For example:
  
  If you are casting a CHAR(10) to CHAR(5), consider changing the target type to CHAR(10) or ensuring that the source value fits within the target length.
  
  
  
  Use Appropriate Functions: If you are dealing with numeric types, consider using functions like ROUND, TRUNC, or FORMAT to ensure that the values being cast are in the correct format and length.
  
  
  Testing: After making changes, test the SQL statement to ensure that the error is resolved.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to the SAP Help Portal or the ABAP documentation for more details on data types and casting in SQL.
  Data Dictionary: Check the Data Dictionary (SE11) to understand the definitions of the fields involved in the CAST operation.
  SQL Trace: Use transaction ST05 to trace SQL statements and identify where the error occurs in your code.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and implement a solution to resolve it.