"call command" vs. "command"

Q

What is the difference between "call command" and "command" in a batch file?

✍: FYIcenter.com

A

There are two formats to run another batch file (or any command) in a batch file:

1. "command" - Run the batch file (or any command) directly. The given command will be invoked in the current batch execution context.

2. "call command" - Run the batch file (or any command) indirectly with the "call" batch command. The given command will be invoked in a child batch execution context.

If the given command is a built-in command or an executable program, the above two formats behave almost in the way.

But if the given command is another batch file, "call command" behaves very different than "command".

When running another batch file in the current batch execution context using the "command" format, the current batch execution context will be terminated when the other batch file reaches the end.

When running another batch file in a child batch execution context using the "call command" format, the child batch execution context will be terminated when the other batch file reaches the end. The current batch execution context will stay to continue on the next line.

Here is batch file, Call-Batch.bat, that running another batch file in two formats, "call command" and "command":

@echo off
rem Call-Batch.bat - Call other batch files

call Other-Batch.bat "First call"

call Other-Batch.bat "Second call"

Other-Batch.bat "Third call"

Other-Batch.bat "Fourth call"

There is the other batch file, Other-Batch.bat, to be called to perform some tasks:

@echo off
rem Other-Batch.bat - The other batch file to be called

echo %1 - Running the other batch

Here the execution result of Call-Batch.bat:

C:\fyicenter>Call-Batch.bat
"First call" - Running the other batch
"Second call" - Running the other batch
"Third call" - Running the other batch

Why the "Fourth call" was not executed? Because the Call-Batch.bat execution context was terminated by running "Other-Batch.bat" directly in the context.

⇒ "if" - Run Command Conditionally

⇐ "call" - Run Another Batch File

⇑ Using Batch Commands

⇑⇑ Windows Batch File Tutorials

2021-04-02, 2128🔥, 0💬

Use CON to Enter Data to File
How to use CON file name to enter data to a file quickly? I don't want to use any editors. Since CON is a special file name referring to the console including keyboard, you can use it with the "copy" command to enter data to a file. For example, if you want to create small batch file called "random.... 2021-04-02, 2485🔥, 0💬

Using Batch Commands
Where to find introduction information on Using Commands Designed for Batch Files? Here is a collection of tutorials compiled by FYIcenter.com team to provide introduction information on Using Commands Designed for Batch Files. List Batch Commands "call" - Run Another Batch File "call command" vs. "... 2021-03-21, 2260🔥, 0💬

Working with Parameters and Variables
Where to find introduction information on Working with Parameters and Variables? Here is a collection of tutorials compiled by FYIcenter.com team to provide introduction information on Working with Parameters and Variables. What Are Batch Parameters Batch Parameter Modifiers Get Batch File Path Name... 2022-04-13, 2235🔥, 0💬

"call command" vs. "command"
What is the difference between "call command" and "command" in a batch file? There are two formats to run another batch file (or any command) in a batch file: 1. "command" - Run the batch file (or any command) directly. The given command will be invoked in the current batch execution context. 2. "ca... 2021-04-02, 2129🔥, 0💬

"for" - Loop on List of Files
What is the "for" batch command for? The "for" command is for running a given command for each item in a list of files, path names, or any values. Below is the "for" command syntax: for %%parameter in (list) do command When the "for" command is executed, the given command will be executed once for e... 2022-04-13, 2026🔥, 0💬

"goto" - Change the Execution Flow
What is the "goto" batch command for? The "goto" command is for changing the execution flow in a batch file. Below is the "if" command syntax: goto label When the "goto" command is executed, the execution will jump to the line where "label" is defined and continue to execution the line after the "la... 2022-08-26, 1935🔥, 0💬

Use CON to Display Data on Screen
How to use CON file name to display data on the screen? Since CON is a special file name referring to the console including screen, you can use it display data on the screen. You can use the "copy * con" to act like the "type *" command: C:\fyicenter>copy random.bat con @echo %random% 1 file(... 2021-04-02, 1922🔥, 0💬

"call" - Run Another Batch File
What is the "call" batch command for? The "call" command is for running another batch file, command or program. Below is the "call" command syntax: call command parameters When the "call" command is executed, a child batch execution context will be created to run the given command with given paramet... 2021-04-02, 1907🔥, 0💬

List Batch Commands
What are build-in commands designed to be used in batch files? Here is a list of built-in commands designed to be used in batch files: Call - Calls and runs another batch file or program. When the other batch file or program ends, continue to run this this batch file. Echo - Displays messages, or tu... 2021-03-21, 1819🔥, 0💬

All rights in the contents of this web site are reserved by the individual author. fyicenter.com does not guarantee the truthfulness, accuracy, or reliability of any contents.