Dump analysis
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: Guessing instead of reading the log/dump.
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.
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Check your understanding
Which statement is true of Dump analysis?
- A. Classes bring object-oriented programming to ABAP.
- B. Linux is the primary platform for modern SAP, and the only supported OS for the SAP HANA database.
- C. Open ST22, find the dump by time/user, and read it: the runtime error name, the error text, the exact source…
Show answer
C. Open ST22, find the dump by time/user, and read it: the runtime error name, the error text, the exact source…
Covered in the “Start here: read the evidence” section of this lesson.
Which of these also applies to Dump analysis?
- A. SELECT inside a loop, the top performance killer.
- B. The dump usually names the cause precisely.
- C. Over-privileged roles and SAP_ALL misuse.
Show answer
B. The dump usually names the cause precisely.
Covered in the “Start here: read the evidence” section of this lesson.
Which part of the Learn SAP curriculum covers Dump analysis?
- A. SAP best practices
- B. SAP troubleshooting
- C. SAP glossary
Show answer
B. SAP troubleshooting
This lesson sits in the SAP troubleshooting section of the Learn SAP course.