easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1202 Practice Question: A technician writes a batch script to automate…
A technician writes a batch script to automate software installation across multiple workstations. The script needs to wait for the installer to finish before proceeding to the next line. Which command should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between PAUSE (user input wait), TIMEOUT (fixed delay), and START /WAIT (process-aware wait), trapping candidates who confuse a simple delay with true process synchronization.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
START /WAIT
The START /WAIT command launches a specified program or script and pauses execution of the batch file until that process terminates. This is exactly what is needed to ensure the installer completes before the next line runs, making it the correct choice for sequential automation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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PAUSE
Why it's wrong here
The PAUSE command in a batch script is designed to temporarily halt script execution, displaying a "Press any key to continue..." message. It waits indefinitely for user input before proceeding, making it entirely unsuitable for automated tasks where the script needs to wait for a separate process, like a software installer, to complete its execution without human intervention. It does not monitor or respond to the state of other running applications.
- ✗
TIMEOUT
Why it's wrong here
The TIMEOUT command introduces a fixed delay into a batch script, pausing execution for a specified number of seconds. While it can be used to introduce a general delay, it fundamentally lacks the ability to dynamically detect when an external process, such as a software installer, has finished its operation. Relying on TIMEOUT for installations would either lead to premature continuation if the installation takes longer or unnecessary delays if it finishes sooner, making it unreliable for robust automation.
- ✓
START /WAIT
Why this is correct
The START /WAIT command is specifically designed to launch an external program or command and then pause the execution of the batch script until that launched program terminates. When used with a software installer, this ensures that the batch script will not proceed to subsequent commands until the installation process, including any child processes it spawns, has fully completed and exited, making it ideal for sequential automation of software deployments.
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CALL
Why it's wrong here
The CALL command is primarily used to execute another batch file (.bat or .cmd) from within the current script, returning control to the original script once the called batch file completes. While it effectively waits for another batch file to finish, it does not inherently provide a mechanism to launch and wait for the completion of an arbitrary executable (like an .exe installer) in the same manner that START /WAIT does. It's designed for modularizing batch scripts, not for managing external application lifecycles.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.