How To Fix SDDL_PARSER_MSG376 - CAST expression cannot be used as a parameter of aggregate functions

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SDDL_PARSER_MSG - Message Class for DDL Parser

• Message number: 376

• Message text: CAST expression cannot be used as a parameter of aggregate functions

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SDDL_PARSER_MSG376 - CAST expression cannot be used as a parameter of aggregate functions ?

  The SAP error message SDDL_PARSER_MSG376 indicates that there is an issue with the use of a CAST expression within an aggregate function in your SQL query. This error typically arises when you attempt to use a CAST operation on a field that is being aggregated, which is not allowed in certain SQL dialects.
  Cause:
  The error occurs because SQL does not permit the use of a CAST expression as a parameter for aggregate functions (like SUM, AVG, COUNT, etc.). This is often due to the way SQL handles data types and the need for aggregate functions to operate on raw data types rather than transformed ones.
  Example:
  For instance, if you have a query like this:
  SELECT SUM(CAST(column_name AS INTEGER))
  FROM table_name
  GROUP BY another_column;
  This would trigger the error because the CAST operation is being applied directly within the aggregate function.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you should separate the CAST operation from the aggregate function. You can do this by using a subquery or a Common Table Expression (CTE) to first perform the CAST operation, and then apply the aggregate function on the result.
  Using a Subquery:
  SELECT SUM(cast_column)
  FROM (
      SELECT CAST(column_name AS INTEGER) AS cast_column
      FROM table_name
  ) AS subquery
  GROUP BY another_column;
  Using a Common Table Expression (CTE):
  WITH CTE AS (
      SELECT CAST(column_name AS INTEGER) AS cast_column, another_column
      FROM table_name
  )
  SELECT SUM(cast_column)
  FROM CTE
  GROUP BY another_column;
  Related Information:
  
  SQL Standards: Different SQL databases may have different rules regarding the use of CAST and aggregate functions. Always refer to the specific documentation for the SQL dialect you are using.
  Performance Considerations: When using subqueries or CTEs, be mindful of performance implications, especially with large datasets.
  Data Types: Ensure that the data types you are casting to are appropriate for the operations you intend to perform.
  
  By restructuring your query to avoid using CAST directly within aggregate functions, you should be able to eliminate the error and achieve the desired results.