ORA-22921: Length of Input Buffer is Smaller than Amount Requested – A Comprehensive Guide

Are you tired of encountering the frustrating ORA-22921 error message while working with Oracle databases? Do you struggle to understand the cause of this error and how to resolve it? Fear not, dear reader, for this article is here to provide you with a comprehensive guide to understanding and fixing the ORA-22921 error.

What is ORA-22921?

The ORA-22921 error occurs when the length of the input buffer is smaller than the amount requested. This error typically arises when you are trying to insert or update data in an Oracle database using a programming language such as Java, Python, or C#. The error message is often accompanied by a description that reads “Length of input buffer is smaller than amount requested”.

Causes of ORA-22921

Before we dive into the solution, it’s essential to understand the root causes of the ORA-22921 error. Here are some common reasons why you may encounter this error:

• Inadequate Buffer Size: The most common cause of the ORA-22921 error is an inadequate buffer size. This occurs when the input buffer is too small to hold the data being inserted or updated.

• Incorrect Data Type: Using an incorrect data type for the input buffer can also lead to the ORA-22921 error. For example, trying to insert a string into a numeric field can cause this error.

• Malformed SQL Statement: A malformed SQL statement can also trigger the ORA-22921 error. This includes syntax errors, incorrect table or column names, or invalid SQL keywords.

• Insufficient Privileges: Lack of sufficient privileges to perform the desired operation can also result in the ORA-22921 error.

How to Resolve ORA-22921

Now that we’ve discussed the causes of the ORA-22921 error, let’s move on to the solutions. Here are some step-by-step instructions to help you resolve this error:

Increase Buffer Size

The simplest solution to the ORA-22921 error is to increase the buffer size. You can do this by:

1. ALTER SESSION SET BUFFER_SIZE = <new_buffer_size>;

2. Replace <new_buffer_size> with the desired buffer size.

For example:

ALTER SESSION SET BUFFER_SIZE = 32767;

Check Data Type

Ensure that the data type of the input buffer matches the data type of the column you’re trying to insert or update. You can use the DESCRIBE command to check the data type of the column:

DESCRIBE <table_name>;

Replace <table_name> with the name of the table.

Validate SQL Statement

Validate your SQL statement to ensure it’s correct and well-formed. You can use the EXPLAIN PLAN command to check the syntax of your SQL statement:

EXPLAIN PLAN FOR <sql_statement>;

Replace <sql_statement> with your SQL statement.

Check Privileges

Ensure that you have sufficient privileges to perform the desired operation. You can use the SYSTEM_PRIVILEGES view to check your privileges:

SELECT * FROM SYSTEM_PRIVILEGES WHERE USERNAME = '<username>';

Replace <username> with your username.

ORA-22921 in Different Programming Languages

The ORA-22921 error can occur in various programming languages, including Java, Python, and C#. Here’s how to resolve this error in each of these languages:

Java

In Java, you can resolve the ORA-22921 error by using the setBufferSize() method:

oracle.sql.ArrayDescriptor ad = new oracle.sql.ArrayDescriptor("MY_ARRAY_TYPE", conn);
ad.setBufferSize(32767);

Python

In Python, you can resolve the ORA-22921 error by using the cursor.arraysize attribute:

import cx_Oracle
conn = cx_Oracle.connect("username/password@host:port/service_name")
cursor = conn.cursor()
cursor.arraysize = 32767

C#

In C#, you can resolve the ORA-22921 error by using the OracleCommand.ArrayBindSize property:

using Oracle.ManagedDataAccess.Client;
OracleConnection conn = new OracleConnection("username/password@host:port/service_name");
OracleCommand cmd = new OracleCommand("INSERT INTO MY_TABLE VALUES (:my_array)", conn);
cmd.ArrayBindSize = 32767;

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ORA-22921 error is a common issue that can be resolved by increasing the buffer size, checking the data type, validating the SQL statement, and ensuring sufficient privileges. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the ORA-22921 error and continue working with your Oracle database.

Table of Contents

Section	Description
What is ORA-22921?	Definition and explanation of the ORA-22921 error
Causes of ORA-22921	Common causes of the ORA-22921 error
How to Resolve ORA-22921	Step-by-step instructions to resolve the ORA-22921 error
ORA-22921 in Different Programming Languages	Resolving the ORA-22921 error in Java, Python, and C#
Conclusion	Summary of the article and final thoughts

We hope this article has been helpful in resolving the ORA-22921 error. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask.

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