How To Fix OO_SOURCE_BASED034 - The public section is positioned incorrectly in the class definition

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: OO_SOURCE_BASED - WB - Class Builder - Messages for the source-b. Class Editor

• Message number: 034

• Message text: The public section is positioned incorrectly in the class definition

What causes this issue?

The class can't be separated into its different source parts (public-,
protected-, (package-,) private section or method implementation).

System Response

A warning will be sent and the changes won't be stored.

How to fix this error?

Please check whether the source contains the following statements:
<EX>CLASS <class_name> DEFINITION.</>
<EX>...</>
<EX>ENDCLASS.</>

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

<EX>CLASS <class_name> IMPLEMENTATION.</>
<EX> METHOD <method_name_1>.</>
<EX> ...</>
<EX> ENDMETHOD.</>
<EX> ...</>
<EX> METHOD <method_name_n>.</>
<EX> ...</>
<EX> ENDMETHOD.</>
<EX>ENDCLASS.</>
<EX>It is also important to check that the public-, protected-,
(package-) and private section are in the correct order.</>
<EX>The syntax check will help you to determine where the class
structure is insufficient.</>

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 OO_SOURCE_BASED034 - The public section is positioned incorrectly in the class definition ?

  The SAP error message OO_SOURCE_BASED034 indicates that there is an issue with the positioning of the public section in a class definition in ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming). This error typically arises when the structure of the class definition does not adhere to the required syntax rules of ABAP Object-Oriented programming.
  Cause:
  The error occurs when the public section of a class is not correctly defined. In ABAP, the class definition must follow a specific order:
  
  CLASS DEFINITION: This section includes the visibility sections (PUBLIC, PROTECTED, PRIVATE).
  CLASS IMPLEMENTATION: This section contains the actual implementation of the methods defined in the class.
  
  The public section must be declared before any other sections (protected or private) in the class definition. If the public section is placed incorrectly, the compiler will raise this error.
  Solution:
  To resolve the error, you need to check the class definition and ensure that the public section is correctly positioned. Here’s how to do it:
  
  
  Open the Class Definition: Go to the ABAP editor (transaction SE80 or SE24) and open the class that is causing the error.
  
  
  Check the Order of Sections: Ensure that the public section is declared first, followed by any protected or private sections. The correct order should look like this:
  CLASS my_class DEFINITION.
    PUBLIC SECTION.
      METHODS: my_method.
    PROTECTED SECTION.
      DATA: my_protected_data TYPE string.
    PRIVATE SECTION.
      DATA: my_private_data TYPE string.
  ENDCLASS.
  
  
  Adjust the Sections: If the public section is not at the top, move it to the correct position.
  
  
  Save and Activate: After making the necessary changes, save and activate the class.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  ABAP Class Definition Syntax: Familiarize yourself with the syntax rules for defining classes in ABAP. The order of visibility sections is crucial.
  ABAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for more details on object-oriented programming in ABAP.
  Debugging: If you continue to encounter issues, consider using the ABAP debugger to step through the class definition and identify any other potential syntax errors.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the OO_SOURCE_BASED034 error and ensure that your class definitions are correctly structured.