hardMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
XK0-006 Practice Question: A developer is writing a shell script that needs…
A developer is writing a shell script that needs to handle errors. Which THREE of the following are best practices for robust script error handling?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between `set -e` and `set +e` and the proper use of `$?` versus relying solely on `set -e`, where candidates may incorrectly think that `set +e` is a best practice for error handling when it actually disables automatic exit on error.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Check the exit code of commands using $?
Checking the exit code of commands using `$?` allows the script to conditionally handle failures based on the specific return value of each command. This is a fundamental error-handling technique in shell scripting, as every command returns an exit code (0 for success, non-zero for failure), and inspecting `$?` immediately after a command lets the developer decide how to respond to that specific error.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Ignore errors to simplify the script
Why it's wrong here
Not robust.
- ✓
Check the exit code of commands using $?
Why this is correct
Allows conditional handling.
- ✗
Use set +e to allow the script to continue on error
Why it's wrong here
Opposite of best practice.
- ✓
Use set -e to exit on any command failure
Why this is correct
Stops script on error.
- ✓
Use trap to catch signals and clean up
Why this is correct
Ensures cleanup on exit.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Basic Shell Scripting
Key term
Value
Value is the perceived worth, benefit, or usefulness that a service, product, or activity delivers to stakeholders, especially customers and the business.
Key term
Shell
A shell is a computer program that provides a user interface to access an operating system's services, typically by accepting text commands.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This XK0-006 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the XK0-006 exam.