Editing Exit status (section)

{{Short description|Integer number that is made available to the parent of a terminated process}}
{{Redirect|Exit code|the prefix used to place an international telephone call|International direct dialing#International call prefix}}
{{Redirect2|Result code|return code|the result code of software in general|error code}}
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In [[computing]], the '''exit status''' (also '''exit code''' or '''exit value''') of a terminated [[computer process|process]] is an integer number that is made available to its [[parent process]] (or caller).  In [[DOS]], this may be referred to as an '''errorlevel'''.

When computer programs are executed, the [[operating system]] creates an [[abstract entity]] called a [[computer process|process]] in which the book-keeping for that program is maintained. In multitasking operating systems such as [[Unix]] or [[Linux]], new processes can be created by active processes. The process that spawns another is called a ''parent process'', while those created are ''child processes''.  Child processes run concurrently with the parent process. The technique of spawning child processes is used to delegate some work to a child process when there is no reason to stop the execution of the parent.  When the child finishes executing, it exits by calling the [[exit (system call)|''exit'']] [[system call]].  This system call facilitates passing the exit status code back to the parent, which can retrieve this value using the [[wait (operating system)|''wait'']] system call.