How do I get the application exit code from a Windows command line?

Question

I am running a program and want to see what its return code is (since it returns different codes based on different errors).

I know in Bash I can do this by running

echo $?

What do I do when using cmd.exe on Windows?

Answer 1

The "exit code" is stored in a shell variable named errorlevel.

The errorlevel is set at the end of a console application. Windows applications behave a little differently; see @gary's answer below.

Use the if command keyword errorlevel for comparison:

if errorlevel <n> (<statements>)

Which will execute statements when the errorlevel is greater than or equal to n. Execute if /? for details.

A shell variable named errorlevel contains the value as a string and can be dereferenced by wrapping with %'s.

Example script:

my_nifty_exe.exe

rem Give resolution instructions for known exit codes.
rem Ignore exit code 1.
rem Otherwise give a generic error message.

if %errorlevel%==7 (
   echo "Replace magnetic tape."
) else if %errorlevel%==3 (
   echo "Extinguish the printer."
) else if errorlevel 2 (
   echo Unknown Error: %errorlevel% refer to Run Book documentation.
) else (
   echo "Success!"
)

Warning: An environment variable named errorlevel, if it exists, will override the shell variable named errorlevel. if errorlevel tests are not affected.