ReferenceError() constructor

The ReferenceError object represents an error when a non-existent variable is referenced.

Syntax

new ReferenceError([message[, fileName[, lineNumber]]])

Parameters

message Optional
Optional. Human-readable description of the error.
fileName Optional
Optional. The name of the file containing the code that caused the exception.
lineNumber Optional
Optional. The line number of the code that caused the exception.

Examples

Catching a ReferenceError

try {
  let a = undefinedVariable
} catch (e) {
  console.log(e instanceof ReferenceError)  // true
  console.log(e.message)                    // "undefinedVariable is not defined"
  console.log(e.name)                       // "ReferenceError"
  console.log(e.fileName)                   // "Scratchpad/1"
  console.log(e.lineNumber)                 // 2
  console.log(e.columnNumber)               // 6
  console.log(e.stack)                      // "@Scratchpad/2:2:7\n"
}

Creating a ReferenceError

try {
  throw new ReferenceError('Hello', 'someFile.js', 10)
} catch (e) {
  console.log(e instanceof ReferenceError)  // true
  console.log(e.message)                    // "Hello"
  console.log(e.name)                       // "ReferenceError"
  console.log(e.fileName)                   // "someFile.js"
  console.log(e.lineNumber)                 // 10
  console.log(e.columnNumber)               // 0
  console.log(e.stack)                      // "@Scratchpad/2:2:9\n"
}

Specifications

Specification
ECMAScript (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'NativeError constructor' in that specification.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobileServer
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung InternetNode.js
ReferenceError() constructorChrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 1IE Full support 5.5Opera Full support 5Safari Full support 1WebView Android Full support 1Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support 10.1Safari iOS Full support 1Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0nodejs Full support 0.1.100

Legend

Full support
Full support

See also