Error
Error Code:
684
SAP S/4HANA Error 684: Duplicate SQL Hint Record
Description
This error indicates that an attempt was made to create an SQL statement hint when a record for that specific hint already exists in the SAP S/4HANA database. It commonly occurs during performance tuning activities or when managing database optimizations, preventing the creation of a new hint.
Error Message
ERR_SQL_STATEMENT_HINT_RECORD_ALREADY_EXISTS
Known Causes
3 known causesAttempt to Create Duplicate Hint
A user or automated process tried to insert an SQL statement hint that conflicts with an already existing entry in the database for the same statement.
Incorrect Hint Management Process
Issues within the procedures, scripts, or tools used to manage SQL hints, leading to unintentional re-creation attempts without prior checks.
System Migration or Upgrade Glitch
During system updates or migrations, existing hints might be reapplied without proper validation, resulting in duplicate entries being attempted.
Solutions
3 solutions available1. Identify and Remove Duplicate SQL Hint Records medium
Locate and delete redundant SQL hint entries that are causing the duplicate record error.
1
Connect to your SAP HANA database as a user with appropriate privileges (e.g., SYSTEM or a user with `_SYS_REPO` access and `REPLACE` privilege on the relevant schema).
2
Execute the following SQL query to identify duplicate SQL hint records. This query looks for entries in `_SYS_REPO`.SQL_HINTS where the `STATEMENT_ID` and `HINT_TYPE` are the same, and the `OBJECT_ID` is also the same (indicating the same object). It will also show the `HINT_ID` to help pinpoint specific duplicates.
SELECT HINT_ID, OBJECT_ID, STATEMENT_ID, HINT_TYPE, HINT_VALUE, CREATED_BY, CREATED_AT
FROM "_SYS_REPO"."SQL_HINTS"
GROUP BY OBJECT_ID, STATEMENT_ID, HINT_TYPE, HINT_VALUE, CREATED_BY, CREATED_AT, HINT_ID
HAVING COUNT(*) > 1
ORDER BY OBJECT_ID, STATEMENT_ID, HINT_TYPE;3
Analyze the results of the query. You will see entries where the same hint is applied multiple times to the same statement within the same object. You need to decide which hint record to keep and which to delete. Typically, you'd keep the most recent one or the one with the desired `HINT_VALUE` if there are variations.
4
To remove a duplicate hint record, use the `DELETE` statement. Replace `YOUR_HINT_ID_TO_DELETE` with the actual `HINT_ID` of the duplicate record you identified in the previous step. **Caution:** Ensure you are deleting the correct record to avoid unintended consequences.
DELETE FROM "_SYS_REPO"."SQL_HINTS" WHERE HINT_ID = YOUR_HINT_ID_TO_DELETE;5
After deleting the duplicate, re-run the identification query to confirm that the duplicate has been removed.
SELECT HINT_ID, OBJECT_ID, STATEMENT_ID, HINT_TYPE, HINT_VALUE, CREATED_BY, CREATED_AT
FROM "_SYS_REPO"."SQL_HINTS"
GROUP BY OBJECT_ID, STATEMENT_ID, HINT_TYPE, HINT_VALUE, CREATED_BY, CREATED_AT, HINT_ID
HAVING COUNT(*) > 1
ORDER BY OBJECT_ID, STATEMENT_ID, HINT_TYPE;2. Re-apply SQL Hints Correctly medium
Remove all existing hints for a specific object and re-apply them one by one to avoid duplicates.
1
Identify the specific object (e.g., a calculation view, procedure) that is causing the error. This often becomes apparent from the application logs or the context in which the error occurs.
2
Connect to your SAP HANA database with appropriate privileges.
3
Execute the following query to find the `OBJECT_ID` for your target object. You'll need to know the package name and object name.
SELECT OBJECT_ID, OBJECT_NAME, PACKAGE_ID FROM "_SYS_REPO"."OBJECTS" WHERE OBJECT_NAME = 'YOUR_OBJECT_NAME' AND PACKAGE_ID = 'YOUR_PACKAGE_ID';4
Once you have the `OBJECT_ID`, use the following query to delete all existing SQL hints associated with that object. **Caution:** This will remove all hints for this object. Ensure you have a record of the hints you want to re-apply.
DELETE FROM "_SYS_REPO"."SQL_HINTS" WHERE OBJECT_ID = (SELECT OBJECT_ID FROM "_SYS_REPO"."OBJECTS" WHERE OBJECT_NAME = 'YOUR_OBJECT_NAME' AND PACKAGE_ID = 'YOUR_PACKAGE_ID');5
Now, re-apply the necessary SQL hints for the object one by one using the `ALTER SYSTEM ALTER CONFIGURATION` statement or by modifying the object definition directly in SAP Web IDE or Business Application Studio. Ensure you are not applying the same hint multiple times for the same statement within the object.
ALTER SYSTEM ALTER CONFIGURATION ('indexserver.ini', 'SYSTEM') SET ('optimizer', 'hint_for_statement_X') = 'HINT_VALUE' WITH RECONFIGURE;
-- Or within the object definition itself (e.g., Calculation View)6
Redeploy or activate the object after re-applying the hints to ensure the changes are reflected.
3. Review and Correct Object Definitions advanced
Examine the source code of the affected object to ensure hints are not being inadvertently duplicated.
1
Identify the specific SAP S/4HANA object (e.g., a Calculation View, Procedure, Function) that is triggering the error. This might be found in application logs or by debugging the process.
2
Open the object in its development environment (e.g., SAP Business Application Studio, SAP Web IDE).
3
Carefully review the SQL code or the graphical modeling of the object for any explicit SQL hints. Pay close attention to where and how these hints are defined.
4
Look for instances where the same SQL hint (e.g., `USE_OLAP_ENGINE`, `USE_INDEX`) is being applied to the same SQL statement multiple times within the object's definition. This can happen if hints are added multiple times during development or through automated scripts.
5
Remove any redundant or duplicate hint definitions from the object's source code. Ensure each hint is specified only once for a given statement.
6
Save and redeploy/activate the modified object. This will regenerate the object in the HANA database and should resolve the duplicate hint error.