oracle tutorial webinars

ORA-00933 Error Message SQL

A vast majority of Oracle mistakes are the result of simple mix-ups. Whether it is through copying and pasting across programs, mistaking program functions, or just plainly getting distracted during your work, programming an Oracle database can run into user errors that are relatively easy to create. Thankfully, the user-friendly nature of Oracle means that these problems, such as an ORA-00933 message, can often be fairly straightforward in remedying.

The ORA-00933 error message is triggered by an SQL command being ended with an improper clause. SQL statements in Oracle have standard clauses that can be used in conjunction. When a clause that does not typically fall under the command of a particular SQL statement is inserted, the ORA-00933 error message is the outcome.

An ORA-00933 error can commonly occur in response to an attempt to execute an INSERT statement with a ORDER BY clause. In Oracle, and ORDER BY clause cannot be used in statements to insert items in a particular order or with CREATE VIEW to create an ordered view. In practice, it means that prior to your semi-colon to end the statement, you began with an INSERT statement and ended on the last line with an improper clause, such as ORDER BY, throwing the error message. To correct this issue, simply go back to the end of the phrase and remove the ORDER BY clause. Be sure to go back to the line prior to the ORDER BY clause and re-insert the statement-ending semi-colon.

Another case where the ORA-00933 can occur is when attempting to include an ORDER BY clause with a DELETE statement. For the same reasons stated above, you will need to go back and correct the syntax of your statement by removing the ORDER BY clause. A less common version of this error happens when a continuation line in an SQL*Forms application is indented. You will need to go back to examine the continuation lines and delete any improper spacing.

You can avoid ORA-00933 errors while still executing the programming goals that you wish to obtain. Some clauses, such as the ORDER BY clause, can be recreated by inserting the clause in a separate query. For example, if you are trying to order your view, doing so in the CREATE VIEW statement will trigger an ORA-00933. Instead, form a second statement through which you will query the view. This type of workaround is key to avoiding future ORA-00933 hang-ups. By carefully placing your clauses and remaining cognizant of when they are incompatible when inserted in the same statement, you can save yourself the time and trouble of an unnecessary error message. Working with a trusted Oracle consultant firm can build on these programming fundamentals, establishing strong habits in your employees interacting with Oracle database software.