How To Fix SY474 - READ BINARY SEARCH check switched off

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SY - ABAP/4 system messages

• Message number: 474

• Message text: READ BINARY SEARCH check switched off

What causes this issue?

You can only use the READ ... BINARY SEARCH statement if the relevant
internal table is sorted by the key used. Otherwise any table row will
be found.

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

To find such program errors there is a test that can be switched on in
the ABAP Debugger. This test checks before every READ ... BINARY SEARCH
statement whether the table is sorted. If this is not the case, a
runtime error occurs.
With large tables this test takes a long time and hence can have a
significant negative effect on the program's runtime.

System Response

How to fix this error?

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 SY474 - READ BINARY SEARCH check switched off ?

  The SAP error message SY474 ("READ BINARY SEARCH check switched off") typically occurs when there is an issue with the binary search operation in ABAP programs. This error indicates that the system has detected that the binary search check has been disabled, which can lead to performance issues or incorrect results when searching through internal tables.
  Cause:
  The error can be caused by several factors, including:
  
  Incorrect Table Structure: The internal table being searched may not be sorted correctly or may not have a unique key defined, which is necessary for binary search operations.
  Binary Search Disabled: The binary search check may have been explicitly turned off in the program, either through a specific command or due to the nature of the data being processed.
  Data Type Mismatch: The data types of the key fields used in the binary search may not match the expected types, leading to the search being ineffective.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the SY474 error, consider the following steps:
  
  
  Check Table Sorting: Ensure that the internal table is sorted before performing a binary search. You can use the SORT statement to sort the table based on the key fields.
  SORT it_table BY key_field.
  
  
  Ensure Unique Keys: Make sure that the key fields used for the binary search are unique. If there are duplicates, the binary search may not work correctly.
  
  
  Use the Correct Search Method: If the data is not suitable for binary search (e.g., if it is not sorted or has duplicates), consider using a linear search instead. You can use the READ TABLE statement with the BINARY SEARCH addition only when the table is sorted and has unique keys.
  READ TABLE it_table WITH KEY key_field = value BINARY SEARCH.
  
  
  Check Program Logic: Review the program logic to ensure that the binary search is being used appropriately. If the binary search is not necessary, you may opt for a linear search.
  
  
  Debugging: If the issue persists, use debugging tools to trace the execution of the program and identify where the binary search is being called and why it is failing.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  ABAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP ABAP documentation for more details on the READ TABLE statement and binary search operations.
  Performance Considerations: Understand the performance implications of using binary search versus linear search, especially with large datasets.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message, as there may be specific fixes or recommendations provided by SAP.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the SY474 error and ensure that your ABAP program functions correctly with binary search operations.