SAP HANA is a powerful in-memory platform that offers advanced capabilities for real-time analytics and application development. One of the key features that enhances its power is SQLScript—SAP HANA’s extension of standard SQL. SQLScript enables developers to write complex data-intensive logic inside the database, improving performance by minimizing data transfer between the application and database layers.
This article explores what SQLScript is, why it is essential, and how you can effectively work with it in SAP HANA.
SQLScript is a procedural extension to SQL, specifically designed for SAP HANA. It combines SQL with procedural programming constructs such as loops, conditionals, and variable declarations, allowing developers to create complex business logic that runs natively within the HANA database engine.
Unlike plain SQL queries, SQLScript allows you to:
IF, WHILE, FOR).Let’s look at an example of a basic SQLScript procedure that calculates total sales per customer:
CREATE PROCEDURE CalculateTotalSalesPerCustomer (OUT result_table TABLE (CUSTOMER_ID INT, TOTAL_SALES DECIMAL(15,2)))
AS
BEGIN
result_table =
SELECT CUSTOMER_ID, SUM(AMOUNT) AS TOTAL_SALES
FROM SALES_DATA
GROUP BY CUSTOMER_ID;
END;
In this procedure:
result_table is an output parameter returning the result.SQLScript supports control flow statements to implement complex logic. Here’s an example demonstrating variable usage and an IF condition:
CREATE PROCEDURE CheckSalesThreshold (IN customerId INT, IN threshold DECIMAL(15,2), OUT isAboveThreshold BOOLEAN)
AS
BEGIN
DECLARE totalSales DECIMAL(15,2);
SELECT SUM(AMOUNT) INTO totalSales
FROM SALES_DATA
WHERE CUSTOMER_ID = customerId;
IF totalSales > threshold THEN
isAboveThreshold = TRUE;
ELSE
isAboveThreshold = FALSE;
END IF;
END;
This procedure checks if a customer’s total sales exceed a given threshold.
You can call SQLScript procedures directly in SQL consoles or from applications:
CALL CalculateTotalSalesPerCustomer(?);
In SAP HANA Studio or SAP HANA Database Explorer, you can execute and test your procedures interactively.
EXCEPTION blocks to handle errors gracefully within procedures.SAP HANA provides tools like SAP HANA Studio and Database Explorer to debug SQLScript code, including step-through debugging and performance analysis.
Additionally, SQLScript procedures can be analyzed using EXPLAIN PLAN to optimize query execution and ensure efficient usage of system resources.
SQLScript is a powerful tool that empowers SAP HANA developers to implement complex data logic inside the database, harnessing the full potential of SAP HANA’s in-memory technology. By mastering SQLScript, you can build efficient, scalable, and maintainable data-driven applications that deliver real-time insights.