Resolving ORA-00933: SQL command not properly ended Error in Python OracleSQL

Learn how to troubleshoot the `ORA-00933: SQL command not properly ended` error in Python when executing Oracle SQL commands with cx_Oracle. This guide covers common issues and offers practical solutions.
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: SQL command not properly ended in Python OracleSQL

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
Understanding the Problem

When working with Oracle SQL in Python, a common issue that developers encounter is the ORA-00933: SQL command not properly ended error. This error can be frustrating, especially if the SQL code runs perfectly in tools like DBeaver but fails in your Python environment using the cx_Oracle library.

This guide will walk you through the potential causes of this error and provide clear, actionable steps you can take to resolve it.

Common Issues and Their Solutions

1. Check for Semicolon Terminators

One of the most frequent causes of the ORA-00933 error when using cx_Oracle is the presence of a semicolon (;) at the end of the SQL query. In many SQL clients like DBeaver, this semicolon is used to signal the end of the command. However, when running SQL queries through cx_Oracle in Python, that semicolon can lead to an unexpected error.

Solution

Remove the Semicolon

If your SQL code ends with a semicolon, simply remove it, then re-run your Python script.

2. Ensure Proper Date Formats

Another possible issue is related to date formatting in your SQL commands. Oracle may automatically guess the date format, but this can lead to errors if the format isn't what Oracle expected.

Best Practices

Specify the Date Format Explicitly

Instead of using:

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

Use:

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

This ensures that your dates are interpreted correctly.

Consider Locale Specific Date Formats

If your database uses a different language (e.g., Croatian), consider using:

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

This method avoids any localization issues that may arise.

3. Double Check SQL Query Syntax

Although not indicated in the error message, sometimes the SQL query may have other syntactical issues that could lead to runtime errors.

Recommendation

Review the Query for Common Syntax Mistakes

Ensure all SELECT statements are properly constructed.

Check for unused aliases, missing commas, or mismatched parentheses.

Conclusion

When you encounter the ORA-00933: SQL command not properly ended error while working with Python's cx_Oracle library, remember to check for an unnecessary semicolon and ensure that your date formats are explicitly defined. By following these best practices, you can easily overcome this error and streamline your database operations in Python.

Feel free to reach out if you have any further questions or require assistance with your SQL queries!