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Description

This error occurs in SAP HANA SQLScript when an identifier is used in a context that expects a cursor, but the identifier has not been declared as one or is not a valid cursor object. It typically points to a type mismatch or an incorrect usage of variables within SQLScript procedures or functions.

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Error Message

ERR_SQLSCRIPT_NOT_CURSOR: Identifier is not a cursor

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Known Causes

3 known causes

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Incorrect Variable Type Declaration

A variable intended to be used as a cursor (e.g., for iterating through a result set) is declared with a scalar type or a table type instead of a cursor type.

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Using Non-Cursor in Cursor Context

An attempt is made to use a non-cursor identifier (like a table variable, scalar variable, or a direct select statement) in SQLScript operations that explicitly require a cursor (e.g., OPEN, FETCH, CLOSE statements, or FOR loops over cursors).

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Identifier Scope or Naming Error

The identifier being referenced might be a different object (not a cursor) due to a naming conflict or incorrect scope resolution within the SQLScript procedure or function.

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Solutions

3 solutions available

1. Verify Cursor Declaration and Usage in SQLScript easy

Ensure that any variable intended to be a cursor is explicitly declared as such and only used in contexts where a cursor is expected.

1

Review the SQLScript procedure or function where the error occurs. Identify the variable that is being flagged as not a cursor.

2

Check the declaration section of the SQLScript. If the variable is intended to be a cursor, it should be declared using the `CURSOR FOR` syntax.

DECLARE my_cursor CURSOR FOR SELECT column1, column2 FROM my_table WHERE condition;

3

Verify how the variable is being used. If it's being treated as a table or a scalar value (e.g., in a `SELECT INTO` statement without explicitly fetching), and it was declared as a cursor, this will cause the error.

/* Incorrect usage of a cursor variable */
SELECT * INTO my_scalar_variable FROM my_cursor;

4

Correct the usage. If you intend to iterate through the cursor, use `OPEN`, `FETCH`, and `CLOSE`. If you intended to select data into a table variable or scalar, declare the variable appropriately (e.g., as a table type or a scalar type).

/* Correct cursor iteration */
OPEN my_cursor;
FETCH NEXT FROM my_cursor INTO @col1, @col2;
WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS = 0 DO
  -- Process @col1, @col2
  FETCH NEXT FROM my_cursor INTO @col1, @col2;
END WHILE;
CLOSE my_cursor;

2. Refactor SQLScript for Direct Table Access medium

In many cases, direct table access is more efficient and less error-prone than using explicit cursors for data retrieval.

1

Identify the SQLScript logic that uses a cursor. Understand the purpose of the cursor and the data it's intended to process.

2

Determine if the cursor is being used to iterate over a result set for row-by-row processing. If so, consider if this processing can be achieved with set-based operations.

3

Rewrite the SQLScript to directly query the underlying tables and perform the necessary operations using standard SQL statements (e.g., `INSERT INTO ... SELECT`, `UPDATE ... FROM`, `MERGE`).

/* Example: Replacing cursor iteration with a single INSERT statement */
-- Original logic might have involved fetching into a table variable and then inserting.
-- Instead, use a direct insert:
INSERT INTO target_table (column1, column2)
SELECT column1, column2 FROM source_table WHERE condition;

4

Test the refactored SQLScript thoroughly to ensure it produces the same results as the original cursor-based logic and that performance is acceptable.

3. Correct Data Type Mismatch in Variable Assignments medium

This error can sometimes manifest if a variable is implicitly treated as a cursor due to a data type mismatch during assignment.

1

Examine the SQLScript for any assignments where a variable might be receiving a value that is not explicitly defined as a cursor.

2

Pay close attention to `SELECT INTO` statements. If a variable is declared as a cursor and then used in a `SELECT INTO` that expects a scalar or a table type, this error can occur.

DECLARE v_cursor CURSOR FOR SELECT ...;
-- Incorrect: Attempting to select into a cursor variable as if it were a scalar.
SELECT column_name INTO v_cursor FROM another_table WHERE ...;

3

Ensure that variables are declared with the correct data types that align with their intended use. If a variable is meant to hold a single value, declare it as a scalar type. If it's meant to hold multiple rows, consider a table type or a cursor.

/* Correct declaration for a scalar variable */
DECLARE v_scalar_value INT;
SELECT column_name INTO v_scalar_value FROM another_table WHERE ...;

4

If a cursor is intended, ensure it's declared as such and then manipulated using `OPEN`, `FETCH`, and `CLOSE`. If data needs to be processed row by row from a query result, ensure the `FETCH` statement targets appropriate scalar variables.

DECLARE v_col1 INT;
DECLARE v_col2 VARCHAR(100);
DECLARE my_cursor CURSOR FOR SELECT column1, column2 FROM my_table;

OPEN my_cursor;
FETCH NEXT FROM my_cursor INTO v_col1, v_col2;
WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS = 0 DO
  -- Process v_col1, v_col2
  FETCH NEXT FROM my_cursor INTO v_col1, v_col2;
END WHILE;
CLOSE my_cursor;

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Related Errors

5 related errors

SAP S/4HANA Error 1296: SQLScript Cursor Mismatch