Specify exit code in batch exit

Question

I need to specify my own exit code in my batch script when it successful exits on a if exist clause. As you will notice, I specified it as an exit 5, I have also tried exit /b 5 but nothing has worked. Any suggestions?

@ECHO OFF
CLS

set SOURCE_PARENT=%1
set FOLDER=%2
set TARGET_FILE=%3

net use S: %SOURCE_PARENT% 
net use T: %TARGET_FILE%

if exist T:\%FOLDER% (
  echo Folder exists, process exiting
  net use S: /Delete /y
  net use T: /Delete /y
  exit 5
) else (
  mkdir T:\%FOLDER%
)

xcopy S:\%FOLDER% T:\%FOLDER% /E /I /H

net use S: /Delete /y
net use T: /Delete /y

exit

Why do you think it did not work? did you try to check errorlevel after calling the script? — mihai_mandis
– mihai_mandis, Commented Jan 24, 2014 at 17:39
I have the exit code returned to my java which is calling it. In debugging, the exit code remains a 0 — staples89
– staples89, Commented Jan 24, 2014 at 18:06

mihai_mandis · Accepted Answer · 2014-01-24 17:44:38Z

12

If you have a script script.bat containing:

@echo off
echo Hello from script.
exit /b 5

In the command prompt or from another script call

test.bat
echo %errorlevel%

It should show:

C:\Temp>script.bat

Hello from script.

C:\Temp>echo %errorlevel%

5

answered Jan 24, 2014 at 17:44

mihai_mandis

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2 Comments

Skeve Over a year ago

This explains the difference between ERRORLEVEL (the exit code) and %ERRORLEVEL% (the environment variable): ERRORLEVEL is not %ERRORLEVEL%

James John McGuire 'Jahmic' Over a year ago

I believe, you need to use CALL in the second script, such as CALL test.bat

Fr0sT · Accepted Answer · 2025-03-20 13:30:50Z

0

Unfortunately plain exit /b N only works if you run batch file via call (as @james-john-mcguire-jahmic mentions). So this won't give expected results:

>mybatch.bat || echo Fail

The only reliably working option I found is to call a subshell:

"%ComSpec%" /c exit N

answered Mar 20 at 13:30

Fr0sT

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