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In computing, an error message is a relatively short text message that describes a problematic situation. An error message generally indicates that an operation failed and may imply if not direct the user to a corrective action.
An error message is a classification of information reported by software. Other information can be classified as a warning to describe a potential problem or as purely informational; not about a problem. Additionally, not all error information is classified as an error message. For example, a core dump or a stack trace may be reported about an error condition, but although they are a form of error information, they are not considered error messages. A more abstract representation of an error is sometimes used instead of a message such as an indicator light or a numeric display which may require the user to consult documentation to interpret the error.
An error message can be reported in a variety of ways. For example, in a graphical user interface (GUI), an error message may be displayed in a dialog box. In a command-line interface (CLI), an error message may be printed to a standard stream. A program may write an error message to a log file.
The proper design of error messages is an important aspect of usability and human–computer interaction. When the content of an error message is misleading or wrong, the user struggles to correct the issue and to complete their desired task.

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