How To Fix SG004 - & is not a valid reserved word

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SG - Global Pool for Cross-Application Developments

• Message number: 004

• Message text: & is not a valid reserved word

What causes this issue?

With the brackets "<" and ">" you have marked a character string
that is not known as a reserved word.

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?

Enter a valid reserved word. You can find the allowed values in the
documentation for the field <DS:DE.FILEEXTERN>phys.file</> or
<DS:DE.PATHEXTERN>phys.path</>.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SG004 - & is not a valid reserved word ?

  The SAP error message SG004 typically indicates that there is an issue with a reserved word being used inappropriately in your ABAP code or in a data dictionary object. Reserved words in SAP are keywords that have a specific meaning in the ABAP programming language and cannot be used as identifiers (like variable names, table names, etc.).
  Cause:
  
  Use of Reserved Words: The error occurs when you attempt to use a reserved word as an identifier in your code or data dictionary. For example, using words like DATA, TABLE, SELECT, etc., as variable names or field names.
  Naming Conventions: Sometimes, naming conventions may inadvertently lead to the use of reserved words, especially if the naming is not carefully considered.
  
  Solution:
  
  Identify the Reserved Word: Check the error message for the specific word that is causing the issue. The message should indicate which word is not valid.
  Rename Identifiers: Change the name of the variable, field, or object that is conflicting with the reserved word. Use a different name that does not conflict with SAP's reserved keywords.
  Check Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation or ABAP keyword list to ensure that the names you are using do not conflict with reserved words.
  Testing: After making changes, test your code or data dictionary object to ensure that the error is resolved.
  
  Related Information:
  
  ABAP Reserved Words: Familiarize yourself with the list of reserved words in ABAP. This can usually be found in the ABAP documentation or online resources.
  Naming Conventions: Follow best practices for naming conventions in ABAP to avoid such conflicts. For example, prefixing variable names with a specific character or string can help avoid clashes with reserved words.
  Debugging: If you are unsure which part of your code is causing the issue, use debugging tools in the ABAP Workbench to step through your code and identify the problematic area.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the SG004 error and avoid similar issues in the future.