EXIT: Quits the CMD.EXE program (command interpreter).

The `EXIT` command in Windows Command Prompt is used to terminate the execution of a batch script or a Command Prompt session. Here are some examples: Example 1: End batch script:

@ECHO OFF
ECHO The batch script exits.
EXIT

Description: The batch script is terminated with the `EXIT` command. The text below will no longer be executed. Example 2: Conditionally exiting the batch script:

@ECHO OFF
SET condition=1
IF %Condition% EQU 1 (
    ECHO The condition is met. The script ends.
    EXIT
)
ECHO The script continues.

Description: The batch script checks a condition and exits with `EXIT` if the condition is met. Example 3: Exit with a specific exit code:

@ECHO OFF
ECHO The batch script exits.
EXIT /B 5

Description: The batch script exits with exit code 5. This exit code can be obtained in a parent script or a command prompt session. Example 4: Using EXIT in a loop:

@ECHO OFF
FOR /L %%A IN (1, 1, 3) DO (
    ECHO loop iteration %%A
    IF %%A EQU 2 (
        ECHO End the loop.
        EXIT
    )
)

Description: The batch script executes a loop and exits early with `EXIT` if the loop condition is met. Example 5: EXIT in a function:

@ECHO OFF
CALL :ExampleFunction
ECHO The batch script continues.
GOTO :EOF

:ExampleFunction
ECHO The function is ended.
EXIT /B

Description: The batch script calls a function and exits within the function with `EXIT /B`. The function call then continues. Note: Note that `EXIT /B` is used to exit only the current batch script or job. If `EXIT /B` is not used, the command ends the entire command prompt session. It is important to note that the exit code is usually 0 if the script completes without problems. An exit code greater than 0 usually indicates an error. Exit codes can be queried in batch scripts or from higher-level processes to monitor the success or failure of a script.

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.19045.3693]
(c) Copyright 1985-2023 Microsoft Corp.

C:\\WINDOWS>

Quits the CMD.EXE program (command interpreter) or the current batch
script.

EXIT [/B] [exitCode]

  /B          specifies to exit the current batch script instead of
              CMD.EXE.  If executed from outside a batch script, it
              will quit CMD.EXE

  exitCode    specifies a numeric number.  if /B is specified, sets
              ERRORLEVEL that number.  If quitting CMD.EXE, sets the process
              exit code with that number.

There are a few important points to note when using the `EXIT` command in the Windows Command Prompt: 1. Exit Codes: The `EXIT` command can optionally return an exit code. The default exit code is 0, which usually indicates successful completion. Exit codes greater than 0 can be used to indicate error conditions or various outcomes.

    EXIT /B 5
    

2. Use in Functions: When you use `EXIT` in a function, the batch script or the caller will exit. Use `EXIT /B` to just exit the function and continue execution in the batch script.

    CALL :ExampleFunction
    ECHO The batch script continues.
    GOTO :EOF

    :ExampleFunction
    ECHO The function is ended.
    EXIT /B
    

3. Return to parent command prompt: If you use `EXIT` without `/B`, not only the batch script but the entire command prompt session will be terminated. This may cause you to lose the command prompt.

    EXIT
    

4. Exit Codes and Error Monitoring: Exit codes can be monitored in scripts or by higher-level processes. This is particularly useful for responding to errors or different execution paths. 5. Determination of current exit code: You can get the last exit code in the command prompt using the `%ERRORLEVEL%` command.

    ECHO The last exit code was: %ERRORLEVEL%
    

6. Exiting Loops: You can use `EXIT` to exit a loop early. However, note that this can terminate the entire batch session if `EXIT` is used without `/B`.

    FOR /L %%A IN (1, 1, 5) DO (
        ECHO loop iteration %%A
        IF %%A EQU 3 (
            ECHO End the loop.
            EXIT
        )
    )
    

It is important to ensure that `EXIT` is used judiciously to avoid unintentionally terminating command prompt sessions or scripts. Particularly when using `EXIT` in scripts that are called from other scripts, care should be taken to maintain the expected behavior.