title: Best way to validate a number in SQL Server
body: <p>I know the newer versions have a try parse method similar to c# but unfortunately I'm on 2005. I know the knock on the built-in function to validate numbers is that it technically doesn't and many recommend creating one. </p>
  
  <p>Is it acceptable and efficient to just use a try catch block with the catch block being considered false? ie</p>
  
  <pre><code>TRY
  CONVERT(decimal(19,2),@value)
  END TRY
  GO
  BEGIN CATCH
  --false. Log error (or whatever you want to do)
  END CATCH;
  GO
  </code></pre>