Error
Error Code:
681
SAP S/4HANA Error 681: SQL Statement Hint Processing
Description
This error indicates a problem encountered while the SAP S/4HANA system was trying to process a SQL statement hint command. Statement hints are directives embedded within SQL queries to guide the database optimizer, and this error suggests an serious issue preventing proper interpretation or execution of such a directive, leading to query failure.
Error Message
ERR_SQL_STATEMENT_HINT_COMMAND
Known Causes
3 known causesInvalid Hint Syntax
The SQL statement hint used contains incorrect syntax or formatting, preventing the database optimizer from parsing it correctly.
Unsupported Hint
The specific statement hint provided is not supported by the current version of the underlying database (e.g., SAP HANA) or its configuration.
Database Optimizer Conflict
A conflict exists between the explicit hint provided and the database's internal optimization rules or other configuration settings, causing processing failure.
Solutions
3 solutions available1. Review and Correct SQL Statement Hints medium
Identify and fix incorrect syntax or unsupported hints within SQL statements.
1
Identify the SQL statement causing the error. This often involves checking ST05 (SQL Trace), ST12 (Single Transaction Trace), or SM21 (System Log) for the specific statement that triggered error 681.
2
Examine the identified SQL statement for the presence of hints. Hints are typically enclosed in `/*+ ... */` comments.
SELECT /*+ INDEX(MY_TABLE MY_INDEX) */ column1 FROM MY_TABLE WHERE column2 = 'value';3
Verify that the syntax of each hint is correct according to the SAP HANA SQL Reference Guide for your specific S/4HANA version. Common errors include misspelled hint names, incorrect parameter usage, or unsupported hint types.
Example of a potentially incorrect hint: /*+ USE_PLAN(MY_TABLE MY_PLAN_ID) */. This might be unsupported. Correct syntax might be /*+ PLAN_ID('MY_PLAN_ID') */.4
Ensure that the hints being used are actually supported by the SAP HANA version running your S/4HANA system. SAP frequently updates its database features and hint support.
5
If a hint is found to be incorrect or unsupported, remove it or correct its syntax. If the hint was intended to optimize performance, consult SAP Notes and the SAP HANA SQL Reference for alternative, supported methods.
Example of removing an incorrect hint:
SELECT column1 FROM MY_TABLE WHERE column2 = 'value';6
Re-execute the transaction or process that previously failed. If the error persists, investigate further or consider the next solution.
2. Update SAP HANA Database to Latest Patch Level medium
Apply the latest database patches to resolve known bugs related to SQL hint processing.
1
Determine the current SAP HANA database version and patch level of your S/4HANA system. This can be found in transaction `DB59` or by executing the following SQL query:
SELECT version FROM "SYS"."REVISION_INFO";2
Access the SAP Support Portal (launchpad.support.sap.com) and navigate to the Software Downloads section. Search for SAP HANA Database and identify the latest available revision/patch for your specific version.
3
Plan and schedule a maintenance window for the database update. This process typically requires a database restart and may involve downtime for your S/4HANA system.
4
Follow the official SAP HANA installation and administration guides to apply the selected patch. This usually involves using the `HDB LCM` (Lifecycle Management) tool or command-line utilities.
Example command (may vary based on LCM version and OS):
/hana/shared/<SID>/hdblcm/hdblcm --action update --component HANA --path /hana/shared/<SID>/hdblcm --version <new_version>5
After the update is complete and the database has restarted, test the functionality that previously caused error 681. The patch may have corrected the underlying issue with hint processing.
3. Remove Hints via SQL Plan Cache Management advanced
Temporarily disable specific hints from the SQL plan cache to isolate the issue.
1
Identify the specific SQL statement and its associated plan that is causing error 681. This can be done using SQL traces (ST05) or by querying the `M_SQL_PLAN_CACHE` system view.
SELECT * FROM M_SQL_PLAN_CACHE WHERE statement_hash = <statement_hash>;2
Once the problematic statement and its plan are identified, you can invalidate the plan. This will force HANA to re-optimize the statement the next time it's executed, potentially without the problematic hint.
ALTER SYSTEM INVALIDATE SQL PLAN CACHE FOR STATEMENT '<SQL_STATEMENT>';3
Alternatively, if the issue is consistently with a specific hint, you might consider creating a SQL Plan Stability rule to prevent the optimizer from using that hint or plan. This is a more permanent solution and requires careful consideration.
CREATE SQL PLAN STABILITY RULE FOR STATEMENT '<SQL_STATEMENT>' USING PLAN '<PLAN_ID>' ENABLE;4
After invalidating the plan or implementing a stability rule, re-execute the transaction. If the error is resolved, it confirms that the hint or the plan associated with it was the root cause. You can then focus on finding a correct hint or a better execution plan.