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Description

Error 1288, `ERR_SQLSCRIPT_NOT_ASSIGN_TARGET`, indicates that an expression on the left-hand side of an assignment operation is not a valid target for receiving a value. This typically occurs in SAP HANA SQLScript procedures, functions, or views when attempting to assign a value to a literal, a function call, or another non-variable construct that cannot store data.

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Error Message

ERR_SQLSCRIPT_NOT_ASSIGN_TARGET: Expression cannot be used as an assignment target

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Known Causes

4 known causes

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Assigning to a Literal or Constant

Attempting to assign a new value to a fixed literal (e.g., a number or string) or a constant expression, which by definition cannot be modified.

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Function Call as Assignment Target

Using the return value of a function call directly on the left-hand side of an assignment operator, where only variables or parameters are expected.

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Read-Only Parameter or Variable

Trying to assign a value to a parameter (e.g., an `IN` parameter in a procedure) or a variable that is declared as read-only and cannot have its value changed.

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Complex Non-Assignable Expression

The left-hand side of the assignment contains a complex expression that does not resolve to a valid, assignable memory location or variable.

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Solutions

3 solutions available

1. Assign to a Valid Variable or Column easy

Ensure the target of the assignment is a declared variable or a valid table column.

1

Review the SQLScript code where the error occurs. Identify the assignment statement. The error message indicates that the expression on the left-hand side of the assignment operator ('=') is not a valid target.

2

If the left-hand side is an expression (e.g., a function call, a calculation involving multiple fields, or a literal value), it needs to be replaced with a valid variable name or a table column name that is part of an `UPDATE` or `INSERT` statement.

Example of incorrect assignment:

sql
my_variable = (SELECT SUM(amount) FROM my_table);


Example of correct assignment to a variable:

sql
DECLARE sum_amount INTEGER;
sum_amount = (SELECT SUM(amount) FROM my_table);


Example of correct assignment to a column in an UPDATE statement:

sql
UPDATE my_table SET column_to_update = (SELECT calculation FROM another_table WHERE ...);

3

If you intended to store the result of an expression, declare a variable first and then assign the expression's result to that variable.

sql
DECLARE result_value DECIMAL(10,2);
result_value = expression_that_returns_a_value;

2. Correct Syntax for SELECT INTO Statements medium

Verify that the `SELECT INTO` statement is used correctly with a single target variable.

1

Examine SQLScript procedures or functions that use `SELECT INTO`. This error commonly occurs when attempting to assign the result of a `SELECT` statement to an expression that is not a single, declared variable.

2

Ensure the `SELECT INTO` statement has a single target variable on the left-hand side. The `SELECT` list should also ideally return a single row and a single column, or you need to handle multiple results appropriately (e.g., using cursors or table variables).

Incorrect usage:

sql
SELECT column1, column2 INTO variable1, variable2 FROM my_table WHERE ...;


Correct usage (for a single variable):

sql
DECLARE var1 VARCHAR(50);
SELECT column1 INTO var1 FROM my_table WHERE id = 1;


If you need to assign multiple columns to multiple variables, you must declare each variable and use separate `SELECT INTO` statements, or use a cursor.

3

If the `SELECT` statement is expected to return multiple rows, use a cursor to iterate through the results and process them individually, rather than attempting a direct assignment to a single variable.

sql
DECLARE CURSOR c_mycursor FOR SELECT column1 FROM my_table WHERE ...;
DECLARE row_value VARCHAR(50);

OPEN c_mycursor;
LOOP
  FETCH c_mycursor INTO row_value;
  EXIT WHEN c_mycursor%NOTFOUND;
  -- Process row_value here
END LOOP;
CLOSE c_mycursor;

3. Check Table and Column Definitions medium

Confirm that the target column exists and is writable in the context of the SQL statement.

1

If the assignment target is a table column within an `UPDATE` or `INSERT` statement, verify that the column actually exists in the table definition. Use the SAP HANA SQL Console or a database modeling tool to check the table schema.

sql
-- Example of checking table schema in SAP HANA SQL Console
DESCRIBE TABLE <schema_name>.<table_name>;

2

Ensure the column is not a generated column (e.g., a calculated column based on other columns) unless the assignment is part of a specific mechanism that allows updating such columns (which is rare and often discouraged).

3

If you are trying to assign a value to a column that is part of a `VIEW`, ensure that the view is updatable. Not all views are directly updatable, and attempting to modify them can lead to this type of error.

sql
-- Check if a view is updatable (this is a general concept, specific tools may vary)
-- Look for properties indicating updatability in the view definition.

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Related Errors

5 related errors

SAP S/4HANA Error 1288: Invalid SQLScript Assignment Target