How to Handle Common SQL Server Errors in PostgreSQL

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How do I fix common SQL Server errors with TRY...CATCH and RAISERROR?

Explains how to detect, raise, and fix frequent SQL Server errors with TRY...CATCH and RAISERROR, using PostgreSQL-friendly syntax and examples.

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Description

What are the most common SQL Server errors?

Duplicate keys, constraint violations, divide-by-zero, and conversion failures dominate production incidents. They usually surface during INSERT, UPDATE, or aggregate calculations.

How do I detect errors with TRY...CATCH?

Wrap risky statements in TRY. On failure, control jumps to CATCH, where system functions like ERROR_NUMBER() expose details. This prevents session termination and lets you log or compensate.

TRY...CATCH syntax

Use BEGIN TRY / BEGIN CATCH blocks followed by END TRY / END CATCH. Inside CATCH, query ERROR_MESSAGE(), ERROR_SEVERITY(), and ERROR_STATE().

How can I raise custom errors with RAISERROR?

RAISERROR sends user-defined messages back to the client or calling procedure. Pair it with TRY...CATCH to surface meaningful diagnostics.

RAISERROR syntax

Supply a message string or message ID, severity (0-25), and state (1-255). Use WITH NOWAIT to flush output immediately.

Example: Handling a duplicate key error in Orders

The sample procedure inserts a new order, rescues violation 2627, rolls back, and raises a custom message so the application responds gracefully.

Best practices for avoiding errors

Validate inputs, check existence with IF NOT EXISTS, use TRY_CAST over CAST, and keep constraints explicit. Log errors into a dedicated table for later analysis.

What mistakes should I avoid?

Don’t swallow errors without re-throwing them. Avoid generic severity levels; inaccurate severity misleads monitoring tools.

Why How to Handle Common SQL Server Errors in PostgreSQL is important

How to Handle Common SQL Server Errors in PostgreSQL Example Usage


BEGIN TRY
    INSERT INTO Orders (id, customer_id, order_date, total_amount)
    VALUES (1, 3, NOW(), 120.00);
END TRY
BEGIN CATCH
    IF ERROR_NUMBER() = 2627  -- duplicate key
    BEGIN
        ROLLBACK;
        RAISERROR ('Order ID already exists. Choose another ID.', 16, 1);
    END
END CATCH;

How to Handle Common SQL Server Errors in PostgreSQL Syntax


-- TRY...CATCH Template
BEGIN TRY
    -- risky DML
    INSERT INTO Orders (id, customer_id, order_date, total_amount)
    VALUES (1001, 5, NOW(), 299.99);
END TRY
BEGIN CATCH
    -- capture details
    DECLARE @msg NVARCHAR(4000) = ERROR_MESSAGE();
    RAISERROR('Order insert failed: %s', 16, 1, @msg);
END CATCH;
GO

-- RAISERROR Template
RAISERROR ('Product %d is out of stock', 16, 1, @product_id) WITH NOWAIT;

Common Mistakes

Ignoring error numbers and re-raising a generic message hides root causes. Always check ERROR_NUMBER() and supply context in the custom message.
Using severity 20+ for user mistakes triggers connection termination. Keep business-logic errors at severity 11-16 to avoid dropping sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use TRY...CATCH in old SQL Server versions?

Yes, it works from SQL Server 2005 onward. For SQL 2000, wrap statements in @@ERROR-based checks instead.

Is RAISERROR deprecated?

RAISERROR is still supported but THROW (SQL 2012+) is preferred for new code because it preserves the original stack and error state.

How do I log errors automatically?

Create a table (e.g., ErrorLog) and INSERT rows inside the CATCH block capturing ERROR_NUMBER(), ERROR_MESSAGE(), and GETDATE().

Want to learn about other SQL terms?

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