Managing ABAP Short Dumps

A short dump is saved in the database table SNAP in the error log for every runtime error that occurs in an ABAP system. Unless they are intended for retention and marked accordingly, these long texts are automatically released for deletion one week after they are generated.

The deletion of old short dumps takes place successively: If a program that is running in a window of the SAP GUI terminates with a runtime error and the short dump is displayed directly then older short dumps are searched and deleted (maximum 100 for performance reasons). The number of short texts not intended for retention in an ABAP system is therefore regularly regulated.

Manually Reorganizing Short Dumps

This mechanism does not apply, however, if a runtime error occurs during background processing, an RFC call (including JCo), or an HTTP call. It is therefore also possible, to selectively manually delete short texts from the database. To do this, on the initial screen of the transaction ABAP Dump Analysis (ST22), choose the Goto menu and the Reorganize option.

A selection screen appears, on which you can define the age as of which the short texts are to be deleted.

Reorganization as Automatically-Scheduled Operation (by the System Administrator)

If you need to regularly perform reorganization operations in a system and want to automate this step, you can schedule the program RSSNAPDL. This program provides the same function as the menu option Reorganize.

You can view the current size of table SNAP at any time by choosing the SNAP Statistics option from the Goto menu.

Stopping Short Dumps from Being Automatically Deleted

You can stop a short dump from being deleted automatically. Start the ABAP Dump Analysis (St22) for this and select the related runtime error. Choose  Runtime Error  Save/Release  from the menu. The short dump is then stored in the database until you revoke the lock using the same function.