What is SQL Server Error Handling?

With the SQL Server environment, users encounter numerous errors. These errors can be so troubling that they might restrict the user’s day-to-day operations. For these, proper SQL Server error handling techniques are required. But what are these error handling techniques and how do they help resolve the complex errors in the SQL Server? Here we will discuss all these factors along with what error handling is and why it is necessary for database administrators. 

Beginning with a brief description of these techniques. 

What is Error Handling in SQL Server?

By looking at the term ‘Error Handling’, we can understand that it means to handle errors. In the SQL Server environment, many errors occur that make it difficult for the users to understand why the error occurred or how it can be resolved. So with the right error handling in SQL Server techniques, it becomes convenient for the database administrators to understand the cause and then handle and manage the SQL Errors. 

There are different kinds of errors that occur in the SQL Server Database and for each of these errors, there are different error handling techniques. So before jumping on what different techniques for error handling are, we will first understand the different kinds of errors that take place in the SQL Server. 

Different Errors And SQL Server Error Handling Methods

Even if a single component in SQL Server database has issues, it can impact the whole database operation and create prolonged disruptions in operations. Here are the types of errors that can occur in the SQL Server database. 

Syntax Errors In SQL Queries

The Syntax Error is one of the most common errors in SQL Server. This error signifies that SQL command has not been properly executed or the syntax is incorrect or invalid. The issues include:

• Missing parameters
• Incorrect or invalid table or column name 
• Missing delimiters in the code

All these issues can result in the failed execution of the SQL Queries and further in creating an error in the SQL Server. 

Runtime Error 

The runtime errors occur majorly at the time of the SQL Query execution and can be triggered due to several reasons. These reasons include:

• A Query Involving Division By Zero
• Incorrect Data Type Conversion
• Invalid or Non-Existent Object/Table Reference
• Insufficient Permission Issues

Logical Errors

In Logical errors, the SQL Query executes successfully without any issues, but after the execution, it doesn’t produce the desired result. This can be due to runtime errors, or issues with the SQL Command. Some other causes for this error are a lack of knowledge of the SQL Functions and not using the filters properly in the SQL Server Database. To resolve these errors, right error handling techniques will help. 

Connection Errors In SQL Server

Another type of error that can occur during the SQL Server query execution is the connection error. Many reasons can lead to this error like invalid or incorrect authentication details, the server being offline, and other network-related issues. These issues can further create challenges for the users white connecting the server to the database.

Methods For Error Handling in SQL 

There are different methods for handling errors in the SQL Server database. We will now look at these error handling techniques one by one to understand them better. 

The first method we will discuss is the TRY and CATCH method. Let’s see how the method will help to resolve the errors in the SQL Server. 

Also Read: How to check database integrity in SQL Server Database using top solutions?

TRY And CATCH Block For SQL Server Error Handling

The TRY and CATCH block in the SQL Server is the error-handling method that helps to resolve the errors caused in the SQL database during query execution. TRY block helps the users to run the queries they are doubtful about. Now, the TRY block will execute the command in the TRY block and if it has issues, it will move to the CATCH block. In case there are no errors in the query in the TRY block, it will not move to the CATCH block. 

The syntax for the TRY and CATCH block in SQL Server is:

BEGIN TRY 
– Code with Possibility of Errors
END TRY
BEGIN CATCH
– Code in case an error occurs in the TRY Block
END CATCH

This code will help you resolve if any error occurs during the execution of SQL Commands. Moving on to the next error handling technique, let’s see how it works. 

Expert Advice for Efficient Error Handling in SQL Server

There are numerous issues and errors in the SQL Server database and at some point, the users might find it complex to resolve them. That’s where an advanced tool comes to the rescue. Using the professional tool can help greatly with resolving the error efficiently without compromising the data integrity. The tool we are suggesting here is the SQL Database Recovery Tool for errors like corruption or database inaccessibility. 

This software will help you to get rid of the possible errors related to corruption in the SQL Database. Additionally, it helps you recover the database after the corruption.

The RAISEERROR and THROW Method

The two terms here RAISEERROR and the THROW command are both used for the generation of the error messages. The two commands have a similar functionality but they both have different syntaxes. Let’s understand the RAISEERROR command first.

This command is used for the generation of custom error messages in the SQL Server. Additionally, this command defines the state and severity of the error for the SQL Server Error handling. 

The syntax for the RAISEERROR command is:

RAISEERROR ( {msg_id | msg_str | @local_variable}
{ , severity, state }
[argument[ , …n]] )
[WITH option [ , …n]] 

Now to see how the THROW command works, the syntax for generating a custom error is:

THROW error_num, ‘error_msg’, state;

This method will help you to generate custom error messages as required in the SQL Server database. 

These are examples of error handling in SQL Server. By using the right error-handling techniques, a user can efficiently get rid of the errors in the SQL Server database.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed the SQL Server error handling techniques and why are they important for the users. It is important to choose the right error handling techniques to make the process of handling and managing the errors in the database more convenient and efficient.