System Error Messages

The master.sysmessages table contains one row for each system error or warning that can be returned by SQL Server. These are the columns in the sysmessages table.

Column name Data type Description
error int Unique error number
severity smallint Severity level of the error
dlevel smallint Reserved. For internal use only
description nvarchar(255) Explanation of the error with placeholders for parameters
mslangid smallint System message group ID

These variables appear in the error message text provided with the system error message descriptions.

Symbol Meaning
%d, %ld, or %D Decimal integer
%x Hexadecimal number
%ls or %.*ls Character string
%S_type SQL Server -defined structure
%c Single character
%lf Double floating-point number

  


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