How To Fix SY144 - Negative argument for SORT not allowed

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SY - ABAP/4 system messages

• Message number: 144

• Message text: Negative argument for SORT not allowed

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SY144 - Negative argument for SORT not allowed ?

  The SAP error message SY144 ("Negative argument for SORT not allowed") typically occurs when you are trying to sort an internal table or a data structure using a negative value for the sort order or the number of records to sort. This is not allowed in SAP ABAP, as sorting requires a non-negative integer.
  Cause:
  The error is usually caused by one of the following scenarios:
  
  Negative Index: You might be trying to sort an internal table using a negative index or a negative value in the sort parameters.
  Incorrect Logic: There may be a logical error in your code where a variable that is supposed to hold a positive value is inadvertently assigned a negative value.
  Dynamic Sorting: If you are dynamically determining the sort order or the number of records to sort, ensure that the logic does not produce negative values.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the SY144 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Sort Parameters: Review the parameters you are passing to the SORT statement. Ensure that all values are non-negative.
  SORT it_table BY field_name.
  
  
  Debugging: Use the debugger to check the values of the variables involved in the sorting operation. Look for any negative values that might be causing the issue.
  
  
  Validation: Before performing the sort operation, validate the values to ensure they are within the expected range. You can add checks to handle or correct negative values.
  IF sort_value < 0.
      " Handle the negative value appropriately
  ENDIF.
  
  
  Review Logic: If you are calculating the sort order or the number of records dynamically, review the logic to ensure it does not produce negative results.
  
  
  Error Handling: Implement error handling to catch such issues before they lead to runtime errors. This can include logging or raising exceptions.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  ABAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP ABAP documentation for more details on the SORT statement and its parameters.
  SAP Community: You can search for similar issues in the SAP Community forums, where other developers may have encountered and resolved similar problems.
  Code Review: If you are working in a team, consider having a peer review your code to catch any logical errors that might lead to negative values.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the cause of the SY144 error in your SAP ABAP program.