How To Fix SY321 - Value field with LIKE operator not of type C

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SY - ABAP/4 system messages

• Message number: 321

• Message text: Value field with LIKE operator not of type C

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SY321 - Value field with LIKE operator not of type C ?

  The SAP error message SY321 indicates that there is an issue with the use of the LIKE operator in a query or selection where the value field is not of type character (C). This typically occurs in ABAP programs when you are trying to compare a non-character field with a character string using the LIKE operator.
  Cause:
  The error arises when:
  
  You are using the LIKE operator to compare a field that is not of type character (e.g., numeric, date, etc.) with a character string.
  The field being compared does not have a compatible data type for the LIKE operation.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Data Types: Ensure that the field you are using with the LIKE operator is of type character (C). If it is not, you will need to convert it to a character type before using it in the comparison.
  
  
  Use Appropriate Operators: If the field is not of type character and you need to perform a comparison, consider using other comparison operators such as = or <> that are suitable for the data type of the field.
  
  
  Convert Data Types: If you must use the LIKE operator, you can convert the non-character field to a character type using the CONCATENATE or WRITE statement, or by using the CAST operator if applicable.
  Example:
  DATA: lv_value TYPE string,
        lv_field TYPE i. " Assuming lv_field is an integer
  
  lv_value = '100'.
  IF lv_field = lv_value. " Use = instead of LIKE
    " Your logic here
  ENDIF.
  
  
  Review the Logic: Reassess the logic of your program to determine if the use of LIKE is necessary. If you are trying to perform a pattern match, ensure that the field being compared is indeed a character type.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  LIKE Operator: The LIKE operator is used in ABAP to perform pattern matching. It is typically used with character fields and allows for wildcard characters such as % (for any sequence of characters) and _ (for a single character).
  Data Types in ABAP: Familiarize yourself with the different data types in ABAP, especially character types (C) and numeric types (I, F, etc.), to avoid similar issues in the future.
  Debugging: If you encounter this error during runtime, use the ABAP debugger to inspect the data types of the variables involved in the comparison.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the SY321 error and ensure that your ABAP code functions as intended.