Bash : If command timeout, execute something else

Question

I am doing the following :

timeout 180 bash myscript.txt

myscript.txt is supposed to be fully executed in less than 180 seconds. IF NOT, I want emergencyscript.txt to be executed. Is it possible to do so ?

Like

timeout 180 [bash myscript.txt] [bash emergencyscript.txt]

chepner · Accepted Answer · 2016-07-22 19:41:30Z

14

The exit status of timeout is 124 if the command times out. You can test for this explicitly.

timeout 180 bash myscript.txt
exit_status=$?
if [[ $exit_status -eq 124 ]]; then
    bash emergencyscript.txt
fi

Any other value for exit_status is the result of myscript.txt running to completion.

answered Jul 22, 2016 at 19:41

chepner

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Comments

fflores · Accepted Answer · 2021-11-26 14:00:53Z

2

#!/bin/bash
if ! timeout 180s bash myscript.txt; then bash emergencyscript.txt; fi

answered Nov 26, 2021 at 14:00

fflores

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Dylan · Accepted Answer · 2016-07-22 19:46:35Z

1

maybe try checking to see if timeout failed or not?

timeout 180 bash myscript.txt
if [ $? -ne 0 ]
then
#....do stuff....
fi

That's dependent on timeout or the script giving a non-zero exit value if it takes too long though.

answered Jul 22, 2016 at 19:41

Dylan

924 bronze badges

Fixed! I like your answer more, much more specific with the checking