SAP Dump analysis: Explained with an Example

SAP Dump analysis

ABAP short dumps are the detailed records of programs that terminated abnormally. Analysing them in ST22 is a fundamental SAP troubleshooting skill.

Quick answer

Most dumps in custom code trace to inefficient or unguarded logic (memory, timeouts, null access).

Key takeaways

A user or job reports an error/crash; ST22 shows a short dump (runtime error) at that time.
Open ST22, find the dump by time/user, and read it: the runtime error name, the error text, the exact source line, the variable…
Program/logic errors (e.g. null reference, MESSAGE_TYPE_X).
Watch out: the runtime error name is the diagnosis; the source line only says where the program gave up.

Symptom

A user or job reports an error/crash; ST22 shows a short dump (runtime error) at that time.

Start here: read the evidence

Open ST22, find the dump by time/user, and read it: the runtime error name, the error text, the exact source line, the variable values and the call stack. The dump usually names the cause precisely.

Likely causes, in order

Program/logic errors (e.g. null reference, MESSAGE_TYPE_X).
TIME_OUT, a long-running online program (run in background).
Memory errors (TSV_TNEW_PAGE_ALLOC_FAILED) from inefficient code.
Configuration/data issues surfacing as exceptions.

How to fix it

Read the runtime error name and source position.
Search SAP Notes for the runtime error + program.
Fix custom code, or apply the Note for standard code.
Re-test and confirm no new dump.

Preventing recurrence

Most dumps in custom code trace to inefficient or unguarded logic (memory, timeouts, null access). Coding best practices (null checks, no SELECT-in-loop, background for long jobs) prevent the majority.

Common pitfalls

Guessing instead of reading the log/dump.
Fixing the symptom, not the root cause.
Changing several things at once.

Practice challenge

+0 XPStreak ×0

Question 1 of 3

Which statement is true of Dump analysis?