ERROR_NUMBER (Transact-SQL)

Article
09/03/2024

Applies to: SQL Server Azure SQL Database Azure SQL Managed Instance Azure Synapse Analytics Analytics Platform System (PDW) SQL analytics endpoint in Microsoft Fabric Warehouse in Microsoft Fabric

This function returns the error number of the error that caused the CATCH block of a TRY...CATCH construct to execute.

Transact-SQL syntax conventions

Syntax

ERROR_NUMBER ( )

Return Types

int

Return Value

When called in a CATCH block, ERROR_NUMBER returns the error number of the error that caused the CATCH block to run.

ERROR_NUMBER returns NULL when called outside the scope of a CATCH block.

Remarks

ERROR_NUMBER supports calls anywhere within the scope of a CATCH block.

ERROR_NUMBER returns a relevant error number regardless of how many times it runs, or where it runs within the scope of the CATCH block. This contrasts with a function like @@ERROR, which only returns an error number in the statement immediately following the one that causes an error.

In a nested CATCH block, ERROR_NUMBER returns the error number specific to the scope of the CATCH block that referenced that CATCH block. For example, the CATCH block of an outer TRY...CATCH construct could have an inner TRY...CATCH construct. Inside that inner CATCH block, ERROR_NUMBER returns the number of the error that invoked the inner CATCH block. If ERROR_NUMBER runs in the outer CATCH block, it returns the number of the error that invoked that outer CATCH block.

Examples

A. Using ERROR_NUMBER in a CATCH block

This example shows a SELECT statement that generates a divide-by-zero error. The CATCH block returns the error number.

BEGIN TRY  
    -- Generate a divide-by-zero error.  
    SELECT 1/0;  
END TRY  
BEGIN CATCH  
    SELECT ERROR_NUMBER() AS ErrorNumber;  
END CATCH;  
GO

Here's the result set.

-----------

(0 row(s) affected)

ErrorNumber
-----------
8134

(1 row(s) affected)

B. Using ERROR_NUMBER in a CATCH block with other error-handling tools

This example shows a SELECT statement that generates a divide-by-zero error. Along with the error number, the CATCH block returns information about that error.

BEGIN TRY  
    -- Generate a divide-by-zero error.  
    SELECT 1/0;  
END TRY  
BEGIN CATCH  
    SELECT  
        ERROR_NUMBER() AS ErrorNumber,  
        ERROR_SEVERITY() AS ErrorSeverity,  
        ERROR_STATE() AS ErrorState,  
        ERROR_PROCEDURE() AS ErrorProcedure,  
        ERROR_LINE() AS ErrorLine,  
        ERROR_MESSAGE() AS ErrorMessage;  
END CATCH;  
GO

Here's the result set.

-----------

(0 row(s) affected)

ErrorNumber ErrorSeverity ErrorState  ErrorProcedure   ErrorLine  ErrorMessage
----------- ------------- ----------- ---------------  ---------- ----------------------------------
8134        16            1           NULL             4          Divide by zero error encountered.

(1 row(s) affected)

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