Error during extraction of DATE fields from SAP ERP using Data Services 4.2 SP01

[Former Member]

Hello, Experts,

I have a problem with extraction of DATE type fields from SAP ERP using SAP Data Services 4.2 SP01. And hope that some of you may already had this situation and will be able to help me.

I have successfully installed SAP IPS 4.1 SP02 and SAP Data Services 4.2 SP01. Then migrated and upgraded old SAP Data Services 4.1 Patch 3 repository into the newly installed environment. The new (SAP Data Services 4.2 SP01) environment works perfectly well except one issue - when I try to extract any DATE type field from SAP ERP I am getting an error "Invalid value <Month: 255> for date <0>. Context: Column <>.".

Then I performed several tests in SAP Data Services 4.2 SP01 environment and here are my findings:

1. I can successfully create and save DataStore to SAP ERP.

2. I can successfully browse SAP ERP tables, import them into DataStore and preview the table data.

3. I can add SAP ERP table to DataFlow as data source and also preview data of this table.

4. When I preview SAP ERP table data I can correctly see all date fields with correct dates in these fields.

5. The above mentioned error is displayed when I create a Query with DATE type field, map this field with DATE type field from SAP ERP table and try to extract.

6. If the column in Query is VARCHAR type and this field is mapped to DATE type field in SAP ERP table the error is not displayed but instead of actual date the number "0" is loaded into target table.

Also I know that after every SAP Data Services update it is mandatory to update SAP Data Services SAP functions which are provided in the SAP Data Services transport folder but in SAP Data Services 4.2 SP01 case the SAP Functions transport folder contains only *.R22 files (for SAP BASIS 4.6D or earlier) and readme file informs that for SAP NetWeaver 6.0 and later (it's our case) no Functions are provided - SAP Functions are already provided in three SAP Components.

Also I would like to mention that old SAP Data Services 4.1 Patch 3 environment successfully connects and extracts all DATE type fields from the same SAP ERP system.

Looking forward to hear from you any ideas and suggestions regarding this issue.

Thank you in advance.

Donatas

[former_member187605 · Accepted solution]

Problem could be related to NLS settings. Can you check:

1. setting for al_engine in the [locale] section of dsconfig.txt?
2. language and codepage settings for ECC and its datastore definition in DS?
3. the trace output of the DS job - does it contain any references to "unexpected" locale settings?

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Thank you, Dirk, for your suggestion - yes, indeed, the problem was related with Collation interpretation between SAP ECC Datastore and DSConfig.

The problem was resolved.

Thank you all for your support.

Best regards,

Donatas

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Donatas,

I am facing the same issue in DS. Could you help me steps  how to solve this issue.

Thanks & Regards

Srini

[Donatas · Accepted solution]

Hi, Srini,

As I remember there was a conflict between collations for SAP ECC datastore and DSConfig. Please make sure that those collations match.

Best regards,

Donatas

[Former Member]

It almost looks like you don't have to update the functions. I will have to confirm it for myself.

The ReadM file says this

"SAP NetWeaver 6.0 and later: no transport file is provided. SAP functions for Data Services are included into three SAP components: PI_BASIS, SAP_APPL and SAP_BW. If your system does not contain these functions, please update the corresponding component."

This makes me annoying too. What if the BASIS team will say they are not ready to update those components for us?!!!

I bet I have seen this error sometime for myself.

One question!. In the DSConfig.txt file did you mentioned Interpret_R3_Null_as_Null to TRUE? You can set this through the Tools --> Options --> SAP --> Environment --> Convert SAP null to null --> Check this option, save and then try running the job. In your case DS is trying to convert a blank to  DATE where <blank> value isn't allowed in a DATE column! I agree that the message is misleading!

Did you upgraded the Server or made a new install?

Ahhh, you mentioned newly installed environment! So your DSConfig.txt isn't going to be same as old environment!

[Former Member]

Dear, Ganesh,

Thank you for your answer and support.

In my case BASIS consultant confirmed that in those three SAP components there are SAP Data Services Functions so everything should work fine. But is isn't

Just tried Convert SAP NULL to NULL option - it didn't help.

Thank you for your help. Any more ideas?

Best regards,

Donatas

[Former Member]

Hey, just to double confirm, are you doing this when you are in your job server machine? Or from your local machine/laptop?

I would suggest to go directly to the Job Server box and pull open the DSConfig.txt and verify it. I should have said it first place!!!

Thank You

Ganesh Sampath