exitkoodi

Exitkoodi is a term used in computing to refer to the status code returned by a process or program upon its termination. This code is a numerical value that indicates whether the process completed successfully or encountered an error. Conventionally, an exit code of 0 signifies successful execution. Any non-zero exit code typically indicates that some form of error occurred.

The specific meaning of non-zero exit codes can vary depending on the program or operating system. Some programs define a set of specific error codes to communicate different types of failures. For example, a web server might return different exit codes for network errors, configuration errors, or resource exhaustion. Operating systems often reserve certain exit codes for specific system-level events.

Exit codes are crucial for scripting and automation. When one program or script calls another, it can check the exit code of the called program to determine if it ran as expected. This allows for conditional execution of subsequent commands, error handling, and robust workflow management. For instance, a shell script might use an exit code to decide whether to retry a failed operation or log an error message.

Understanding and utilizing exit codes is a fundamental aspect of command-line usage and system administration. It provides a standardized way for programs to communicate their operational status to their callers, facilitating more reliable and automated system behavior.