Capture exit status from function in shell script

Question

I have a very simple script.

test.sh

_EXECUTE_METHOD () {
  exit 1
}

_EXECUTE_METHOD
ERROR_CODE=$?
if [[ $ERROR_CODE -eq 1 ]]; then
  echo "Got error"
  exit 0
fi

This script terminate immediately when exit 1 executed inside the function. I want to capture this exit status from function and handle it in the main script.

I have tried set -e & set +e, still no success. I can not use return statement.

Actual output:

$ sh test.sh 
$ echo $?
1
$

Actual output:

$ sh test.sh
Got error 
$ echo $?
0
$

"I can not use return statement." - Yes, you can! Just try it. — melpomene
– melpomene, Commented Jul 30, 2015 at 9:18
There's a then missing after the semicolon. Also, [[ is nothing but a portability pitfall; [ should be used. — Jens
– Jens, Commented Jul 30, 2015 at 9:24
@Jens It is possible even to resign from using [ altogether. Example — Jimmix
– Jimmix, Commented Jan 19, 2022 at 3:10

anubhava · Accepted Answer · 2022-01-19 08:27:45Z

6

You need to use return instead of exit inside the function:

_EXECUTE_METHOD () { return 1; }

_EXECUTE_METHOD || echo "Got error"

exit will terminate your current shell. If you have to use exit then put this function in a script or sub shell like this:

declare -fx _EXECUTE_METHOD
_EXECUTE_METHOD () { exit 1; }

_EXECUTE_METHOD || echo "Got error"

(..) will execute the function in a sub-shell hence exit will only terminate the sub-shell.

edited Jan 19, 2022 at 8:27

answered Jul 30, 2015 at 9:18

anubhava

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3 Comments

Jimmix Over a year ago

Sub-shell (..), exit code capture ERROR_CODE=$? and Bash test [[ seem to be redundant.

anubhava Over a year ago

Agreed though more verbosity is needed sometimes for better understanding. Even if..then..else can be shortened as in the updated answer now.

Kiteloopdesign Over a year ago

Just commenting to say that I fell down a rabbit hole with the "declare" built-in. Being it an advanced topic, it would be great if you could add more info as to why it is needed

Jimmix · Accepted Answer · 2022-01-19 03:54:49Z

1

No need for [[ or [

#!/bin/sh

set -eu

_EXECUTE_METHOD () {
  return 1
}

if ! _EXECUTE_METHOD; then
  echo "Got error"
  exit 0
fi

or if you want to be concise:

#!/bin/sh

set -eu

_EXECUTE_METHOD () {
  return 1
}

_EXECUTE_METHOD || { echo "Got error"; exit 0; }

edited Jan 19, 2022 at 3:54

answered Jan 10, 2021 at 5:16

Jimmix

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1 Comment

Sharuzzaman Ahmat Raslan Over a year ago

never know this is possible in shell script. learn something new today

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