3447608 - Error 11060 - Error 11060 for maximum number of recompilations(20) when running a query in SAP ASE

• Running a query which has been running for years, suddenly receives:
  Msg 11060, Level 16, State 1:
  This statement has exceeded the maximum number of recompilations (20). This indicates an internal error. Please note the error prior to this one and contact SAP Technical Support.
  
  
• The query has, set merge_join off, as the first line in the query.
• Yet, the query plan that is being used clearly shows it is using merge join:
  ...
  |   |   |   |   |   |   |MERGE JOIN Operator (Join Type: Left Outer Join) (VA = 63)
         |   |   |   |   |   |   | Using Worktable5 for internal storage.
  ...
• Why is it selecting a bad plan and how is this fixed?

• SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) 15.7
• SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) 16.0

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