---
type: concept
x-llmwiki:
  schemaVersion: "0.1"
  contentHash: 30b6a1d87242a631833877ff3f27b209a2cf813f47c409b867631ebb58155bac
  pageDirectory: concepts
  sources:
    - delta_uniform_refresh_invalid_argument-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md
  confidence: 0.7
  provenanceState: inferred
  freshnessStatus: unverified
  aliases:
    - databricks-error-class-system
    - DECS
  citations:
    - file: delta_uniform_refresh_invalid_argument-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md
title: Databricks Error Class System
description: Databricks organizes runtime errors into named error classes with unique identifiers for structured error handling
tags:
  - databricks
  - error-messages
  - architecture
timestamp: "2026-06-19T10:09:49.058Z"
---

#Databricks Error Class System

The **Databricks Error Class System** is the structured framework that Databricks uses to report runtime errors in a consistent, machine-readable format. Each error is identified by a unique **error class** name, accompanied by a human-readable **message template** and a set of **parameters** that provide context about the failure.

## Structure of an Error Class

Every Databricks error class consists of three components:

- **Error class name** – a string identifier, for example `DELTA_UNIFORM_REFRESH_INVALID_ARGUMENT`. This name categorises the error and is used by tools and APIs to programmatically handle specific error types. ^[delta_uniform_refresh_invalid_argument-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md]
- **Message template** – a human-readable string that may contain placeholders for parameters, such as `Invalid argument` or `Invalid argument: %s`. The template is rendered with actual values at runtime to produce the error message shown to the user. ^[delta_uniform_refresh_invalid_argument-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md]
- **Parameters** – a list of values that are substituted into the message template. For example, the parameter `value_parameter` might provide the specific argument name that caused the failure. ^[delta_uniform_refresh_invalid_argument-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md]

## Example: DELTA_UNIFORM_REFRESH_INVALID_ARGUMENT

The provided source material documents the `DELTA_UNIFORM_REFRESH_INVALID_ARGUMENT` error class as a concrete instance of the system. This error occurs when an invalid argument is supplied to a Delta Uniform refresh operation. It includes the following fields: ^[delta_uniform_refresh_invalid_argument-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md]

- `message`: the rendered error string (e.g., `Invalid argument`).
- `message_template`: a pattern with a placeholder (e.g., `Invalid argument: %s`).
- `error_class`: always `DELTA_UNIFORM_REFRESH_INVALID_ARGUMENT`.
- `parameters`: a list of strings, such as `["value_parameter"]`.

## Usage

Error classes are returned as part of the JSON response body when a Databricks API call or SQL command fails. They allow automated workflows and monitoring systems to distinguish between different failure modes and react appropriately—for example, retrying on transient errors or alerting on permanent configuration issues.

## Related Concepts

- [Delta Uniform Refresh](/concepts/delta-uniform-refresh.md) – the operation that triggers this error class
- [Error handling in Databricks](/concepts/error-handling-in-databricks-notebook-workflows.md) – general best practices for programmatic error handling
- Structured error messages – the JSON schema used to return error class information

## Sources

- delta_uniform_refresh_invalid_argument-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md

# Citations

1. [delta_uniform_refresh_invalid_argument-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md](/references/delta_uniform_refresh_invalid_argument-error-condition-databricks-on-aws-592e817e.md)
