Exit running script without exiting shell

Question

I have a script library that uses a lot of exit commands if some condition occurs. Each time an exit is hit, the shell is closed.

I saw many answers regarding this question that suggest changing the script, but my scripts are 3rd party and I assume the authors didn't mean that the shell should close so I assume there is some other way to run.

How do I run these script so that only the script stops but the shell remains open. Currently I use . script.sh.

the important question is: do you need the output of the child process, or do you just want the main-shell to stay alive — clockw0rk
– clockw0rk, Commented Sep 18, 2018 at 9:42
@grunt Why are you running it with . script.sh?! ./script.sh would do exactly what you want. — Biffen
– Biffen, Commented Sep 18, 2018 at 10:20

Raja G · Accepted Answer · 2018-09-18 09:42:08Z

4

Instead of launching your script as . script.sh, you can launch it bash script.sh. When you launch it with bash then a child process for bash will be opened and your script will execute in the child shell and exit statements will make child shell closed and have no scope for parent shell or main shell.

edited Sep 18, 2018 at 9:42

answered Sep 18, 2018 at 9:36

Raja G

6,80315 gold badges54 silver badges90 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

clockw0rk Over a year ago

good answere, but OP did not say what he inteds to do (see my comment in his question)

Raja G Over a year ago

@clockw0rk I see your comment and I am waiting for OP response so I can add my input. :)

apatniv · Accepted Answer · 2018-09-18 10:43:58Z

3

If you are sourcing the script library and want to use all functions defined by the script library without causing the shell to exit use nested subshell.

Example:

# script.sh contents
hello_exit() { 
    echo "hello"; 
    sleep 1; 
    exit 10; 
}

# YOUR SHELL
source script.sh

# Use subshell
(hello_exit)

# If you want to capture the output and error code
output=$(hello_exit)
rc=$?

answered Sep 18, 2018 at 10:43

apatniv

1,87613 silver badges15 bronze badges

Comments

arcadius · Accepted Answer · 2024-10-09 20:31:16Z

1

Add to script's start

trap $SHELL EXIT

answered Oct 9, 2024 at 20:31

arcadius

741 silver badge4 bronze badges

2 Comments

joanis Over a year ago

OP says the scripts are third party, so anything requiring editing them won't be a solution for this question.

arcadius Over a year ago

Well add it before source script.sh

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Exit running script without exiting shell

3 Answers 3

2 Comments

Comments

2 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

2 Comments

Comments

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related