it is an error executing recursive sql -- which is a recursive definition ;)

recursive SQL is the sql we perform on your behalf - to do your sql. For example:

select seq.nextval from dual;

might require recursive sql to:

o parse the query (query the data dictionary)
o update seq$ to get more sequence values into the cache


You get this error because an error was raised.

How to avoid? Well, first you have to diagnose. For example, the select seq.nextval might get a recursive sql error if the update to seq$ failed for some reason (space, whatever).

Recursive SQL errors should be exceedingly rare (except for self induced ones -- TRIGGERS). They are super exceptional conditions and typically centered around "i'm out of space, i'm out of memory" sort of errors...