RangeError

RangeError is a type of runtime error used by many programming languages to indicate that a value falls outside the allowed range for an operation. In JavaScript, RangeError is a built‑in error type that inherits from Error and is thrown when a value is not within the range accepted by a function or operation, such as the permissible length of a collection or the bounds for numeric parameters.

Common scenarios in JavaScript include attempting to create an array with an invalid length (for example, new Array(-1) typically throws a RangeError with a message like "Invalid array length"). Other examples include issues with string length limits, or numeric bounds for certain methods, such as a digits argument in number formatting functions being outside an accepted range. A maximum call stack size exceeded error can also manifest as a RangeError in some engines when recursion becomes too deep.

Handling RangeError usually involves input validation and defensive programming. Validate values before using them in operations that require bounds, such as clamping numbers to a range, checking array or string lengths, and limiting recursion depth. When catching errors, distinguish RangeError from other error types to apply appropriate recovery or user notifications. In debugging, RangeError messages often point to which value violated the constraint, helping to identify incorrect inputs or faulty assumptions.

See also: Error, TypeError, ReferenceError. RangeError stands apart from type or reference errors by signaling that a value is syntactically valid but out of the allowed numerical or structural range for the operation.