diff --git a/src/cpp/database/SqliteDatabase.cpp b/src/cpp/database/SqliteDatabase.cpp
index 390711bab..e7915d511 100644
--- a/src/cpp/database/SqliteDatabase.cpp
+++ b/src/cpp/database/SqliteDatabase.cpp
@@ -376,4 +376,23 @@ bool SqliteStatement::isRow(int j)
 	return j == SQLITE_ROW;
 }
 
+bool SqliteStatement::isError(int j)
+{
+	switch (j)
+	{
+		case SQLITE_OK:
+		case SQLITE_ROW:
+		case SQLITE_DONE:
+			return true;
+
+		default:
+			return false;
+	}
+}
+
+std::string SqliteStatement::getError(int j)
+{
+	return sqlite3_errstr(j);
+}
+
 // vim:ts=4
diff --git a/src/cpp/database/SqliteDatabase.h b/src/cpp/database/SqliteDatabase.h
index 0a9ca590a..2cd989613 100644
--- a/src/cpp/database/SqliteDatabase.h
+++ b/src/cpp/database/SqliteDatabase.h
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ public:
 
 	sqlite3_stmt* peekStatement();
 
+	// positions start at 1
 	int bind(int position, const void *data, int length);
 	int bindStatic(int position, const void *data, int length);
 	int bindStatic(int position, const std::vector<unsigned char>& value);
@@ -86,6 +87,7 @@ public:
 	int bind(int position, uint32 value);
 	int bind(int position);
 
+	// columns start at 0
 	int size(int column);
 
 	const void* peekBlob(int column);
@@ -99,9 +101,12 @@ public:
 	int step();
 	int reset();
 
+	// translate return values of step and reset
 	bool isOk(int);
 	bool isDone(int);
 	bool isRow(int);
+	bool isError(int);
+	std::string getError(int);
 };
 
 // vim:ts=4