Program Termination and Return Codes

Program Termination and Return Codes

In the world of computer programming, programmers develop computer applications with a beginning, middle, and an end. In this commentary, we shall concentrate on the end of the program, or more specifically, how the program ends. In programming, the end of the program is better known as the Program Termination and there are three types of termination. The three types of program termination are Normal Termination, Abnormal Program Termination, and Return Codes.

Normal Termination
The ideal termination of a program is a normal termination, which simply means that the program has concluded the way it was intended to conclude. This also means that there were no errors during the program execution.

Abnormal Program Termination
The most undesirable end to a program is an abnormal program termination. An abnormal termination means that the program did not end how the programmer intended. Instead, this means that the program failed due to some type of error.

Return Codes
The return code of a process in computer programming is a small number passed from a child process (or callee) to a parent process (or caller) after it has finished carrying out a particular process or assigned job.

In Java, the System.exit(int rc) is utilized the program termination. This code will automatically and immediately end any program that is currently running. This program termination can be utilized as both a normal termination strategy and an abnormal termination strategy, because it ensures an instantaneous conclusion to any program that is online. System Exit is a useful return code that can be utilized at any point when attempting to end a program.

In C++, return codes similar to those utilized in Java are utilized to ensure that a program is being properly executed. In this language, there are numbers set aside to symbolize each of the many exit codes. An example is subscript 1, which identifies all simple errors like dividing by zero, while subscript 128 defines an illegal argument against exiting the program. With these codes, both abnormal and normal program termination can happen.

In Visual Basic, the main strategy for return codes is the return sequence. If it is the programmer’s desire to end a program, regardless if the termination is normal or abnormal, then they shall simply enter the return or return expression (“Return Statement (Visual Basic)”). Both of these codes will work and the only parameter that the programmer must identify is whether or not the program or a particular sequence in the program has to be modified. It is essential to remember that the return code is affected by whichever procedure is being used. In a Sub or Set procedure, the Return statement is the equivalent of an Exit Sub or Exit Property statement, and the expression must not be contributed” (Ibid). Even though the return code can be utilized for a variety of program situations, the code must be provided in the correct context in order to properly terminate the program, regardless if it is abnormal or normal.