How to use Ctrl+C to stop whole script not just current command

Question

I have a script such as follows:

for ((i=0; i < $srccount; i++)); do
    echo -e "\"${src[$i]}\" will be synchronized to \"${dest[$i]}\""
    echo -e $'Press any key to continue or Ctrl+C to exit...\n' 
    read -rs -n1
    rsync ${opt1} ${opt2} ${opt3} ${src[$i]} ${dest[$i]}
done

If I press Ctrl+C in response to read command, the whole script will stop, but if press Ctrl+C while rsync command is running, just current rsync command will stop and the script will continue the for loop.

Is there any way to tell the script if the user pressed Ctrl+C while rsync is running, stop rsync and exit from the script itself?

opt1, opt2, opt3, srccount, src and destare defined in the previous line of the script. — PHP Learner
– PHP Learner, Commented Aug 21, 2015 at 16:56

bishop · Accepted Answer · 2020-09-06 14:11:01Z

62

Ctrl+C sends the interrupt signal, SIGINT. You need to tell bash to exit when it receives this signal, via the trap built-in:

trap "exit" INT
for ((i=0; i < $srccount; i++)); do
    echo -e "\"${src[$i]}\" will be synchronized to \"${dest[$i]}\""
    echo -e $'Press any key to continue or Ctrl+C to exit...\n' 
    read -rs -n1
    rsync ${opt1} ${opt2} ${opt3} ${src[$i]} ${dest[$i]}
done

You can do more than just exiting upon receiving a signal. Commonly, signal handlers remove temporary files. Refer to the bash documentation for more details.

edited Sep 6, 2020 at 14:11

answered Aug 21, 2015 at 17:25

bishop

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5 Comments

Andrej Over a year ago

Be aware that this will not work if script is launched using "source": . script.sh

Brent Baccala Over a year ago

I recommend trap "echo; exit" INT to make sure your next shell prompt is on a clean line

Aravind Vemula Over a year ago

trap "echo; exit" INT not returning to command input mode

bishop Over a year ago

@AravindVemula perhaps bash is still waiting for the command to finish? In the documentation linked in my answer note this: "When Bash receives a signal for which a trap has been set while waiting for a command to complete, the trap will not be executed until the command completes." If that is not it, feel free to post a new question.

Aravind Vemula Over a year ago

@bishop your solution worked like a charm man, I was talking about one in the comment cheers 🎉

Jeremy Caney · Accepted Answer · 2021-02-03 19:55:34Z

-15

Just press Ctrl + Z. It will stop your script entirely.

edited Feb 3, 2021 at 19:55

Jeremy Caney

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answered Feb 3, 2021 at 18:57

Mara Clementine

614 bronze badges

2 Comments

twm Over a year ago

No, ctrl + z will only suspend the process. It will still be there and can be resumed by typing fg.

PouJa Over a year ago

Not working as you say.

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