error.toString

The toString() method returns a string representing the specified Error object.

Syntax

e.toString()

Return value

A string representing the specified Error object.

Description

The Error object overrides the Object.prototype.toString() method inherited by all objects. Its semantics are as follows (assuming Object and String have their original values):

Error.prototype.toString = function() {
  'use strict';

  var obj = Object(this);
  if (obj !== this) {
    throw new TypeError();
  }

  var name = this.name;
  name = (name === undefined) ? 'Error' : String(name);

  var msg = this.message;
  msg = (msg === undefined) ? '' : String(msg);

  if (name === '') {
    return msg;
  }
  if (msg === '') {
    return name;
  }

  return name + ': ' + msg;
};

Examples

var e = new Error('fatal error');
console.log(e.toString()); // 'Error: fatal error'

e.name = undefined;
console.log(e.toString()); // 'Error: fatal error'

e.name = '';
console.log(e.toString()); // 'fatal error'

e.message = undefined;
console.log(e.toString()); // 'Error'

e.name = 'hello';
console.log(e.toString()); // 'hello'

Specifications

Browser compatibility

See also

• Error.prototype.toSource()