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.

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 28 '13 at 12:40

3

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

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

answered Nov 28 '13 at 12:40

Olaf Dietsche

1

Thanks. The problem I have with this solution is when I source the script with the function, it will also source the [tag: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. – pfnuesel Nov 28 '13 at 13:09
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. – Olaf Dietsche Nov 28 '13 at 14:55

1 Answers1