Error Message:
Msg 408, Level 16, State 1, Line 1
A constant expression was encountered in the ORDER BY list, position %i.
Severity level:
16.
Description:
This error message appears, when you try to use a constant expression in the ORDER BY clause.
Consequences:
The T-SQL statement can be parsed, but causes the error at runtime.
Resolution:
Error of the Severity Level 16 are generated by the user and can be fixed by the SQL Server user. The constant expression must be removed.
Versions:
This error message was introduced with SQL Server 2005.
Example(s):
SELECT *
FROM Northwind.dbo.Orders
ORDER BY 1-1
Remarks:
While the use of ORDER BY 1 is syntactically valid, the use of the 1-1 expression raises the error.