How To Fix WL106 - Constants cannot begin with '%' or '&'

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WL - Workflow: run-time messages

• Message number: 106

• Message text: Constants cannot begin with '%' or '&'

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WL106 - Constants cannot begin with '%' or '&' ?

  The SAP error message WL106, which states "Constants cannot begin with '%' or '&'," typically occurs in the context of ABAP programming when you are defining constants in your code. This error indicates that the constant you are trying to define starts with an invalid character, specifically '%' or '&', which are not allowed as the first character of a constant name.
  Cause:
  
  Invalid Naming Convention: In ABAP, constants must adhere to specific naming conventions. They cannot start with special characters like '%' or '&'.
  Typographical Error: There may be a typographical error in the constant name where the programmer accidentally included an invalid character at the beginning.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Rename the Constant: Change the name of the constant to ensure it does not start with '%' or '&'. For example, if your constant is defined as:
  CONSTANTS: lv_example TYPE i VALUE 10.
  Ensure that it does not start with invalid characters:
  CONSTANTS: lv_example_value TYPE i VALUE 10.
  
  
  Check for Typographical Errors: Review your code for any accidental inclusion of invalid characters at the beginning of constant names.
  
  
  Follow Naming Conventions: Ensure that all constants follow the ABAP naming conventions, which typically allow letters (A-Z, a-z), numbers (0-9), and underscores (_), but not special characters at the beginning.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  ABAP Naming Conventions: Familiarize yourself with the naming conventions in ABAP to avoid similar issues in the future. Constants should be descriptive and follow a consistent naming pattern.
  Debugging: If you encounter this error, use the ABAP debugger or syntax check tools in the ABAP editor to identify the exact line causing the issue.
  Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for more details on ABAP programming standards and naming conventions.
  
  By following these guidelines, you should be able to resolve the WL106 error and prevent it from occurring in your ABAP programs.