ERROR_LINE (Transact-SQL)

Applies to: SQL Server Azure SQL Database Azure SQL Managed Instance

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

Transact-SQL syntax conventions

Syntax

ERROR_LINE ( )

Note

To view Transact-SQL syntax for SQL Server 2014 (12.x) and earlier versions, see Previous versions documentation.

Return Type

int

Return Value

When called in a CATCH block, ERROR_LINE returns

  • the line number where the error occurred
  • the line number in a routine, if the error occurred within a stored procedure or trigger
  • NULL, if called outside the scope of a CATCH block.

Remarks

A call to ERROR_LINE can happen anywhere within the scope of a CATCH block.

ERROR_LINE returns the line number at which the error occurred. This happens regardless of the location of the ERROR_LINE call within the scope of the CATCH block, and regardless of the number of calls to ERROR_LINE. This contrasts with functions, such as @@ERROR. @@ERROR returns an error number in the statement immediately following the one that causes an error, or in the first statement of a CATCH block.

In nested CATCH blocks, ERROR_LINE returns the error line number specific to the scope of the CATCH block in which it is referenced. For example, the CATCH block of a TRY...CATCH construct could contain a nested TRY...CATCH construct. Within the nested CATCH block, ERROR_LINE returns the line number for the error that invoked the nested CATCH block. If ERROR_LINE runs in the outer CATCH block, it returns the line number for the error that invoked that specific CATCH block.

Examples

A. Using ERROR_LINE in a CATCH block

This code example shows a SELECT statement that generates a divide-by-zero error. ERROR_LINE returns the line number where the error occurred.

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

B. Using ERROR_LINE in a CATCH block with a stored procedure

This example shows a stored procedure that generates a divide-by-zero error. ERROR_LINE returns the line number where the error occurred.

-- Verify that the stored procedure does not already exist.  
IF OBJECT_ID ( 'usp_ExampleProc', 'P' ) IS NOT NULL   
    DROP PROCEDURE usp_ExampleProc;  
GO  
  
-- Create a stored procedure that  
-- generates a divide-by-zero error.  
CREATE PROCEDURE usp_ExampleProc  
AS  
    SELECT 1/0;  
GO  
  
BEGIN TRY  
    -- Execute the stored procedure inside the TRY block.  
    EXECUTE usp_ExampleProc;  
END TRY  
BEGIN CATCH  
    SELECT ERROR_LINE() AS ErrorLine;  
END CATCH;  
GO  

C. Using ERROR_LINE in a CATCH block with other error-handling tools

This code example shows a SELECT statement that generates a divide-by-zero error. ERROR_LINE returns the line number where the error occurred, and information relating to the error itself.

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  

See Also

TRY...CATCH (Transact-SQL)
sys.messages (Transact-SQL)
ERROR_NUMBER (Transact-SQL)
ERROR_MESSAGE (Transact-SQL)
ERROR_PROCEDURE (Transact-SQL)
ERROR_SEVERITY (Transact-SQL)
ERROR_STATE (Transact-SQL)
RAISERROR (Transact-SQL)
@@ERROR (Transact-SQL)