Several ways to call a windows batch file from another one or from prompt. Which one in which case?

Question

A windows batch file (called.bat or called.cmd) can be called from another batch file (caller.bat or caller.cmd) or interactive cmd.exe prompt in several ways:

1. direct call: called.bat
2. using call command: call called.bat
3. using cmd command: cmd /c called.bat
4. using start command: start called.bat

I'm quite in trouble to differentiate their intended usage based on their help text: when to use which one? e.g. why I might use 'call' command instead of direct call. What's different?

I'm interested on some summary report that analyze all 4 possibilities (and others if any missing) from various point of views: recommended use cases for which they are designed to fit, process spawning, execution context, environment, return code processing.

Note: I'm using Windows XP SP3.

Answer 1

1. The batch file will be executed by the current cmd.exe instance (or a new cmd.exe instance if, for instance, double-clicked in Explorer).

2. Same as #1, only has an effect when used inside a batch/cmd file. In a batch file, without 'call', the parent batch file ends and control passes to the called batch file; with 'call' runs the child batch file, and the parent batch file continues with statements following call.

3. Runs the batch file in a new cmd.exe instance.

4. Start will run the batch file in a new cmd.exe instance in a new window, and the caller will not wait for completion.