Invalid column name - fixed by inserting a carriage return - Why?

Question

I'm writing some JSP pages and am executing a statement that retrieves values from three tables.
When executing the statement I receive the error
java.sql.SQLException: Invalid column name
I just want to state here that ALL the column names are definitely correct. I attempted to isolate the problem using my SQL*Plus Interface.
When copying and pasting the SQL that was used (I put the SQL statement into the HTML to allow me to do this) into SQL*Plus it also come up with the error. I found that if I broke up the statement it would run. Specifically if I placed a carriage return (by hitting enter) prior to the 'A' of the AND operator and then copied and pasted into SQL*Plus it would work!
I thought the problem was related to bad syntax in the outer join operator. But removal of the outer join operator and making it a EQUI JOIN situation still gave the same results. I tried the use of brackets to 'help' the DB engine figure it out - silly I know, but it didn't work anyway :(
I've tried this out on UNIX in SQL*Plus where the query was on one line and it worked fine. I've tried it on Oracle 8.1.5 SQL*Plus & Oracle 8.1.7 SQL*Plus on Win2000 and WinNT and no go.
It has also been tested on an Oracle 7.3.4 DB and no go either.
Remember I'm only using SQL*Plus to find out why it is not working - I'm actually attempting to execute this via JDBC (classes12.zip Oracle9 version) in my JavaBean. I can't place a carriage return to 'fix' the problem, and I'm assuming that I shouldn't either.
I've pasted the SQL below (both non-working and working versions). I was going to paste the output of DESC on the associated tables should you too would rule out a mispelled column name, but I didn't want to put anyone off with a long post.
If you can provide any advice I would be very appreciative.
Darren James
Show Me Technology
SQL> SELECT UNIT.Asset_Number,Model,PERSON.Novell_User_Name FROM
UNIT, UNIT_USERS, PERSON
2 WHERE UNIT.Hardware_Reference_Number =
UNIT_USERS.Hardware_Reference_Number(+) AND UNIT_USERS
.Novell_User_Name = PERSON.Novell_User_Name (+) ORDER BY Make,
Model, Asset_Number,Serial_Number,
UNIT.Hardware_Reference_Number,Unit_Type,PERSON.Last_Name,PERSON.Fi
rst_Name,PERSON.Novell_User_Name;
3 /
WHERE UNIT.Hardware_Reference_Number =
UNIT_USERS.Hardware_Reference_Number(+) AND UNIT_USERS.Novel
ERROR at line 2:
ORA-00904: invalid column name
REM -- Using the one with an return prior to the AND
SQL> SELECT UNIT.Asset_Number,Model,PERSON.Novell_User_Name FROM
UNIT, UNIT_USERS, PERSON
2 WHERE UNIT.Hardware_Reference_Number =
UNIT_USERS.Hardware_Reference_Number(+)
3 AND UNIT_USERS.Novell_User_Name = PERSON.Novell_User_Name
(+) ORDER BY Make, Model,
4 Asset_Number,Serial_Number,
5
UNIT.Hardware_Reference_Number,Unit_Type,PERSON.Last_Name,PERSON.Fi
rst_Name,PERSON.Novell_User_
Name;
ASSET_NUMBER
MODEL
NOVELL_USE
10023445
desktop raider
tabisho
10023445
desktop raider
pjblee
100349864
VEi8
SQL>

Answer 1

Ok. I feel ashamed that the answer was so simple and not the
problem I thought it was. But in the interests of perhaps
preventing someone else doing the same silly thing....
The error was caused by using a wrong name when 'getting' the
values int the return ResultSet object. (eg using getString
("s.Some_Name") when it should have been getString
("s.Another_Name").
Interestingly the error did occur in one of our SQL*Plus
versions. Why we still are not sure, but since this was a silly
error on my part, I'm sure a similarly silly reason will be the
cause there two.
I appreciate those who responded though. It is a great resource.
Darren James
I'm just guessing here, but could it be some sort of a size thing? Could it be that, if you don't break up line 2, somehow
it gets truncated or wrapped at an inappropriate place? To test
this theory, you might try putting the carriage return in front
of the ORDER BY, instead of in front of the AND, and see if it
has the same effect. If you do get it figured out, please
satisfy our curiosity and let us know.