How to Fix the ORA-00933: SQL Command Not Properly Ended Error in Oracle SQL

Learn how to troubleshoot and fix the `ORA-00933` error in Oracle SQL with an example query to find the maximum parts in your database.
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Troubleshooting the ORA-00933: SQL Command Not Properly Ended Error in Oracle SQL

When working with Oracle SQL, encountering errors is a common occurrence. One such error that can be frustrating is the ORA-00933: SQL command not properly ended. In this guide, we will guide you through a real-world scenario that leads to this error and how to fix it effectively.

The Problem

You are working on an Oracle 11g database that contains several tables including Employee, Project, Part, Use, and Works. You've constructed a query to retrieve project names based on the color of parts, specifically filtering for 'Red' items. However, when you try to execute the query, you receive the error message:
ORA-00933: SQL command not properly ended.

Here's the original query that led to the error:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Understanding the Cause of the Error

The ORA-00933 error occurs due to syntax issues within your SQL command. This is generally caused by:

Improper use of aliases for subqueries.

Incorrect placement of certain SQL components.

In Oracle SQL, unlike some other database management systems (DBMS), you cannot use the AS keyword to alias a subquery. This is the primary issue leading to the error you encountered.

The Solution

To fix the error, we can rewrite the query while ensuring that all aspects follow Oracle's syntax rules. Below is the revised query with corrections made:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Key Changes Made

Removed the AS Keyword: The alias for the subquery Final no longer uses AS, which is necessary for compliance with Oracle's syntax rules regarding subqueries.

Moved p.Pname to the Outermost Query: p.Pname is now correctly placed within the outermost query context which is crucial for selecting the project name based on the calculated value from the inner queries.

Conclusion

By correcting the aliasing of the subquery and adjusting the placement of certain elements, you can successfully execute your query without encountering the ORA-00933: SQL command not properly ended error. It's important to familiarize yourself with the specific syntax and restrictions of Oracle SQL to avoid such pitfalls in the future. Happy querying!