Debug SAP Analytics Cloud Scripting Code: The Ultimate Guide

Updated at: 28/06/2025

SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) scripting empowers powerful data analysis, but debugging can be challenging. This ultimate guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of effective SAC scripting debugging techniques. Learn to identify and resolve common errors, leverage the built-in debugger, and utilize best practices for cleaner, more efficient code. Master SAC scripting and unlock its full potential.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare for Debugging

    • Identify the code section needing debugging. In this example, it's the event handler for a dropdown control.
    • Insert a `debugger;` statement into your script within the SAP Analytics Cloud Designer.
    Insert a `debugger;` statement into your script within the SAP Analytics Cloud Designer. Insert a `debugger;` statement into your script within the SAP Analytics Cloud Designer.
    Prepare for Debugging

  2. Enable Debugging Mode

    • Modify the URL of your SAP Analytics Cloud application by appending `;debug=true` to the end.
    • Reload the application. This will enable debugging mode.
    Reload the application. This will enable debugging mode. Reload the application. This will enable debugging mode.
    Enable Debugging Mode

  3. Access Debugging Tools

    • Open your browser's developer tools (usually by pressing F12). Navigate to the 'Sources' tab.
    • Locate your application's code within the 'sandbox worker main' file. This file often contains your analytical app code.
    Locate your application's code within the 'sandbox worker main' file. This file often contains your analytical app code. Locate your application's code within the 'sandbox worker main' file. This file often contains your analytical app code.
    Access Debugging Tools

  4. Trigger and Debug

    • Interact with the application element (e.g., select an option from the dropdown) to trigger the code containing your `debugger;` statement. The execution will pause at this point.
    • Utilize your browser's debugging tools (step over, step into, step out, watch variables) to analyze the code execution, variable values, and identify the source of errors.
    Utilize your browser's debugging tools (step over, step into, step out, watch variables) to analyze the code execution, variable values, and identify the source of errors. Utilize your browser's debugging tools (step over, step into, step out, watch variables) to analyze the code execution, variable values, and identify the source of errors.
    Trigger and Debug
[RelatedPost]

Tips

  • Debugging helps pinpoint errors and allows for quick code adjustments during development.
  • Use the browser's console to evaluate expressions and test code snippets in real-time.
  • Familiarize yourself with browser debugging shortcuts (e.g., F10, F11, Shift+F11).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incorrect Data Type Handling

Reason: Using incompatible data types in calculations or comparisons (e.g., trying to add a string to a number) leads to unexpected results or runtime errors.
Solution: Ensure data types are consistent and use appropriate type conversion functions before performing operations.

2. Ignoring Error Handling

Reason: Lack of error handling mechanisms (e.g., `TRY...CATCH` blocks) can cause scripts to crash silently, making debugging difficult.
Solution: Implement `TRY...CATCH` blocks to gracefully handle potential errors and provide informative messages.

FAQs

How do I use breakpoints effectively in the SAC script debugger?
Set breakpoints by clicking in the gutter next to your script code line numbers. When the script execution hits a breakpoint, it pauses, allowing you to inspect variables, step through code line by line (Step Over, Step Into, Step Out), and understand the flow of your script's execution. Conditional breakpoints can further refine debugging by only pausing when a specific condition is met.