title: How are Severity and State in raiserror in T-SQL actually used in practice?
body: <p>We use <code>RAISERROR</code> in SQL Server.  The syntax is <code>RAISERROR('Some Message.', 16, 1)</code>.  </p>
  
  <p>What is the use of the parameter values <code>16</code> and <code>1</code> with <code>RAISERROR()</code> in my example? I searched the internet and found that these parameters are called <code>Severity</code> and <code>State</code>.  The documentation tells us some esoteric meanings to these values, but doesn't give us good direction on how to use them or why.</p>
  
  <p>What I want to know is what is meant by <code>Severity</code> and <code>State</code>?  How should they typically be used?</p>