Exiting a function with trap and its error code

Question

Let's assume I have the following function:

#!/usr/bin/env bash

f(){
    trap 'printf "\nAborting\n"; return 1' SIGINT
    sleep 10
    return 0
}

If I run f and wait those 10 seconds and then do

$ echo $?
> 0

That's expected. But if I run f and hit Ctrl+c, the function f is aborted, but

$ echo $?
> 0

instead of 1. I assume I'm not trapping properly, but don't how to fix it.

Olaf Dietsche · Accepted Answer · 2013-11-28 12:40:08Z

3

You must use exit instead of return. So this would be

trap 'printf "\nAborting\n"; exit 1' SIGINT

answered Nov 28, 2013 at 12:40

Olaf Dietsche

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2 Comments

pfnuesel Over a year ago

Thanks. The problem I have with this solution is when I source the script with the function, it will also source the trap condition, i.e. when I hit Ctrl+c, it will close my shell. The solution, of course, is to not source the script, but I tried to make the script also working for users that will source it.

Olaf Dietsche Over a year ago

As long as you have the trap inside a function, the function will be parsed, of course, but not executed. Consequently, the trap will not be active, unless you call the function.

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