Bash: Read into multiple local scope variables

Question

I can read in and therefore assign multiple variables.

However I want those variables to be local to a bash function so it doesn't pollute the global scope.

Is there a way to do something like:

func () {
    local read a b <<< $(echo 123 435)
    echo $a
}
func
echo $a

The above doesn't work. What is a good way of reading into local variables?

fedorqui · Accepted Answer · 2014-06-02 10:01:18Z

32

You were almost there: you just have to define the variables as local, but beforehand instead of in the read declaration:

func () {
     local a b
     read a b <<< $(echo 123 435)
     echo $a
}

$ func 
123
$ echo $a
$

answered Jun 2, 2014 at 10:01

fedorqui

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Comments

glenn jackman · Accepted Answer · 2014-06-02 10:01:24Z

6

Just declare the variables to be local on one line, and use them on a separate line:

$ a=5
$ func() {
    local a b
    read a b <<< "foo bar"
    echo $a
}
$ func
foo
$ echo $a
5

answered Jun 2, 2014 at 10:01

glenn jackman

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