Resolve ORA-00922 missing or invalid option

The ORA-00922: missing or invalid option error in Oracle Database typically occurs when there's a syntax issue in the SQL statement you're executing. This error is related to improper or missing clauses, options, or parameters in your SQL command.

Causes of ORA-00922:

Incorrect SQL Syntax: You might have used an invalid keyword or missed a keyword or option in your SQL query.

Trailing Commas: A trailing comma at the end of a list (like in a column definition) can trigger this error.

Invalid Identifiers: Using invalid column, table, or other object names that don't comply with Oracle's naming rules.

Improper use of options: Using options like DEFAULT, AUTO_INCREMENT, or WITH clauses incorrectly.

Example Situations and Solutions:

1. Creating a Table with Syntax Errors

Problem:

CREATE TABLE employees (
   employee_id NUMBER(5),
   first_name VARCHAR2(30),
   last_name VARCHAR2(30),
   salary NUMBER(8,2),
);

The trailing comma after the salary column is invalid.

Solution: Remove the trailing comma:

CREATE TABLE employees (
   employee_id NUMBER(5),
   first_name VARCHAR2(30),
   last_name VARCHAR2(30),
   salary NUMBER(8,2)
);

2. Incorrect Use of ALTER Table Command

Problem:

ALTER TABLE employees ADD salary DEFAULT 5000,;

The trailing comma after DEFAULT 5000 causes the error.

Solution: Remove the trailing comma:

ALTER TABLE employees ADD salary DEFAULT 5000;

 

3. Incorrect Option or Syntax in a Command

Problem: Using an option that is not available in Oracle or used incorrectly:

CREATE TABLE employees (
   employee_id INT AUTO_INCREMENT
);
Oracle does not support AUTO_INCREMENT as in MySQL.

Solution: Use Oracle’s SEQUENCE for auto-increment functionality:

CREATE SEQUENCE emp_seq START WITH 1 INCREMENT BY 1;

CREATE TABLE employees (
   employee_id NUMBER(5),
   first_name VARCHAR2(30),
   last_name VARCHAR2(30),
   salary NUMBER(8,2)
);

INSERT INTO employees (employee_id, first_name, last_name, salary) 
VALUES (emp_seq.NEXTVAL, 'John', 'Doe', 5000);

Common Commands and Solutions:

Creating a table correctly:

CREATE TABLE employees (
   employee_id NUMBER(5),
   first_name VARCHAR2(30),
   last_name VARCHAR2(30),
   salary NUMBER(8,2)
);

Altering a table without invalid options:

ALTER TABLE employees ADD job_title VARCHAR2(50);

Using Sequences for Auto-increment:

CREATE SEQUENCE emp_seq START WITH 1 INCREMENT BY 1;

Steps to Resolve:

Double-check the SQL syntax for missing or extra options.

Ensure you're using valid Oracle keywords, clauses, and options.

Remove trailing commas and ensure correct punctuation.

Consult the Oracle documentation for valid options in specific commands.