◄Summary► ◄Example► ◄Up► ◄Contents► ◄Index► ◄Back► ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── This function performs the following actions: ■ All memory belonging to the process is released. ■ File buffers are flushed and any open handles for files or devices owned by the process are closed. ■ The termination handler vector (Int 22h) is restored from PSP:000Ah. ■ The CTRL+C handler vector (Int 23h) is restored from PSP:000Eh. ■ The critical-error handler vector (Int 24h) is restored from PSP:0012h. ■ Control is transferred to the termination handler. If the program is returning to COMMAND.COM, control transfers to the resident portion and the transient portion is reloaded if necessary. If a batch file is in progress, the next line of the fil` is fetched and interpreted; otherwise, a prompt is issued for the next user command. This is the preferred method of termination for application programs because it allows a return code to be passed to the parent program and does not rely on the contents of any segment register. Other methods of performing a final exit are Int 20h, Int 21h Function 00h, Int 21h Function 31h, and Int 27h. Any files that have been opened using FCBs and modified by the program should be closed before program termination; otherwise, data may be lost. The return code can be retrieved by the parent process with Int 21h Function 4Dh (Get Return Code). It can also be tested in a batch file with an IF ERRORLEVEL statement. By convention, a return code of zero indicates successful execution, and a nonzero return code indicates an error. [Version 3.0+] If the program is running on a network, it should remove all locks it has placed on file regions before terminating. -♦-