How To Fix TPDA046 - Goto statement: Debug behavior switched to &1

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: TPDA - Debugger

• Message number: 046

• Message text: Goto statement: Debug behavior switched to &1

What causes this issue?

This message is purely informative.

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

In the new ABAP Debugger, you can change the single step debugging
behavior in the settings. For example, you can debug a BSP page (BSP
single steps), but the generated source code, for instance, is displayed
in the Editor.
If you then want to jump to another ABAP line in the source code, the
Debuggger automatically switches to the suitable single step debug
behavior (ABAP single steps in our example).

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message TPDA046 - Goto statement: Debug behavior switched to &1 ?

  The SAP error message TPDA046, which states "Goto statement: Debug behavior switched to &1," typically occurs during the debugging of ABAP programs. This message indicates that the debugger has encountered a GOTO statement in the code, which can lead to non-linear program flow. The debugger's behavior may change when it encounters such statements, as it can complicate the flow of execution and make it harder to follow the program's logic.
  Cause:
  
  Use of GOTO Statement: The primary cause of this error is the presence of a GOTO statement in the ABAP code. The use of GOTO can lead to unpredictable program behavior and is generally discouraged in structured programming.
  Debugging Settings: The debugger may switch its behavior to accommodate the non-linear flow introduced by the GOTO statement, which can lead to confusion during debugging.
  
  Solution:
  
  Refactor Code: The best solution is to refactor the code to eliminate the use of GOTO statements. Instead, use structured programming constructs such as loops (DO, WHILE), conditional statements (IF, CASE), and subroutines (FORM).
  Review Debugger Settings: If you need to debug the program as it is, ensure that your debugger settings are appropriate for handling non-linear flows. You may want to familiarize yourself with how the debugger behaves with GOTO statements.
  Analyze Program Logic: If refactoring is not immediately possible, analyze the program logic to understand how the GOTO statements affect the flow and adjust your debugging approach accordingly.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Best Practices: Avoid using GOTO statements in ABAP programming. Instead, use structured programming techniques to improve code readability and maintainability.
  Debugging Techniques: Familiarize yourself with the various debugging tools and techniques available in SAP, such as breakpoints, watchpoints, and the call stack, to effectively debug complex programs.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation and community forums for additional insights on debugging practices and handling specific error messages.
  
  By addressing the root cause of the error and following best practices in coding and debugging, you can resolve the issue and improve the overall quality of your ABAP programs.