SAP S/4HANA Error 347: Invalid SQL Option Used

Identify the SQL statement that is causing error 347. This often occurs in custom ABAP programs, reports, or even during system upgrades/migrations where SQL statements are being generated or modified. You may need to consult system logs (SM21, ST22) or trace files (ST05) to pinpoint the exact statement.

Examine the identified SQL statement for any non-standard or deprecated SQL options. S/4HANA, especially when running on SAP HANA database, enforces strict SQL syntax and supported options. Common culprits include options that were valid in older database versions or unsupported HANA SQL extensions. For example, certain `ORDER BY` clauses or specific `SELECT` list variations might be problematic.

Consult SAP Notes and HANA SQL documentation for the correct syntax and supported options for the specific operation you are trying to perform. SAP provides extensive documentation on supported SQL for HANA and S/4HANA environments.

Rewrite the SQL statement using only valid and supported SQL options for SAP HANA. If the statement is part of custom ABAP code, this will involve modifying the ABAP program. If it's during a migration or upgrade, you might need to apply SAP correction notes or adjust migration scripts.

Example of a potentially problematic syntax (hypothetical):
SELECT * FROM MY_TABLE ORDER BY MY_COLUMN DESCENDING;

Corrected syntax (hypothetical):
SELECT * FROM MY_TABLE ORDER BY MY_COLUMN DESC;

Check the current version of your SAP kernel and the SAP HANA database client libraries installed on your SAP application servers. Outdated components can lead to compatibility issues with newer SQL features or stricter syntax enforcement in S/4HANA.

Refer to SAP Notes related to your S/4HANA version and SAP HANA database version for recommended kernel patches and database client library versions. SAP regularly releases updates that address SQL compatibility and performance.

Plan and execute the update of the SAP kernel and database client libraries. This is a critical system maintenance activity and should be performed during a scheduled downtime window, following SAP's installation and upgrade guides.

After the update, re-test the functionality that was previously encountering error 347 to confirm the issue is resolved.

Analyze the SQL statement that triggers error 347. Understand its purpose and the data it is trying to retrieve or manipulate. Sometimes, this error can be a symptom of a poorly written query that doesn't align with HANA's in-memory processing capabilities.

Use SAP HANA's SQL analysis tools, such as the SQL Analyzer in SAP HANA Studio or the Explain Plan feature in SAP HANA Cockpit, to understand how the database is executing the query. Look for potential performance bottlenecks or areas where unsupported options might be implicitly used due to complex logic.

Rewrite the SQL statement to conform to SAP HANA's SQL best practices. This might involve:
- Using specific HANA SQL functions instead of generic SQL functions.
- Avoiding cursors where set-based operations can be used.
- Optimizing JOIN conditions.
- Ensuring proper data type usage.
- Utilizing HANA-specific features like table types or built-in procedures.

Example of a potential optimization:
Instead of:
SELECT DISTINCT COL1 FROM MY_TABLE WHERE COL2 IS NOT NULL;

Consider using:
SELECT COL1 FROM MY_TABLE WHERE COL2 IS NOT NULL GROUP BY COL1;

Thoroughly test the refactored SQL statement in a non-production environment to ensure it produces the correct results and performs efficiently. Validate against the original functionality.