# Return codes on execute program
**URL:** https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/return-codes-on-execute-program/436
**Category:** Discussion
**Created:** [April 19, 2007, 1:22am UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/return-codes-on-execute-program/436 "2007-04-19T01:22:34Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@allen](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/u/allen)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2007, 1:22am UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/return-codes-on-execute-program/436/1 "2007-04-19T01:22:34Z")
I've got a couple programs that are returning error codes that are negative numbers. Finalbuilder is taking these as successful. Aren't all non-zero return codes supposed to be errors in windows?
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### Author:  [@angus](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/u/angus)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2007, 4:16am UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/return-codes-on-execute-program/436/2 "2007-04-19T04:16:39Z")
Hi Allen,
I think they’re supposed to be, but they aren’t. Many programs output strange return codes to indicate all kinds of things.
If you’re using FinalBuilder 5, the Execute Program action is very flexible about what range of return codes constitutes an error. For example, you can set it to “Program exit code must be equal to 0” to have it fail on any non-zero exit codes.
Regards,
Angus
PS AFAIK, the idea comes from Unix, where this rule is more closely followed, so most Unix programs are well behaved with regards to the 0 = Success rule.
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### Author:  [@allen](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/u/allen)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2007, 4:18am UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/return-codes-on-execute-program/436/3 "2007-04-19T04:18:31Z")
you know, this was my mistake. I found in your tool that you allow us to specificy what is an error code. This tool is just extremely versatile!
thanks