## Syntax
```mermaid
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flowchart LR
Start((START)) --> SQLCODE[SQLCODE]:::quoted
SQLCODE --> End((END))
```
## Purpose
The `SQLCODE` SQL function gets the error code of the last SQL error that occurred during execution. The function can be used without parentheses.
See also [[SQLERRM]] and [[SQLROWCOUNT]].
Returns: the error code of the last error as `varchar2`. Returns `null` when no error occurred.
## Examples
The following example retrieves the error code of the last error; the output is empty since no error occurred:
```sql
select sqlcode
-------------------
```
The following example first raises a division-by-zero error and then retrieves the error code of the last error:
```sql
select 1 / 0
itgenttn082: Division of 1 by zero is impossible.
```
```sql
select sqlcode
-------------------
itgenttn082
```
The following example catches a division-by-zero error; within the exception handler `SQLCODE` returns the error code `itgenttn082`:
```sql
declare
l_dummy pls_integer;
begin
select 1/0
into l_dummy
;
exception
when others
then
dbms_output.put_line(sqlcode);
end;
```