mediumMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
XK0-006 Practice Question: A Linux engineer needs to ensure a bash script…
A Linux engineer needs to ensure a bash script runs with strict error handling. Which TWO of the following should be included? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between debugging options (set -x) and error-handling options (set -e, set -o pipefail), leading candidates to mistakenly choose set -x as a strict error-handling mechanism.
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
✓
set -o pipefail
'set -o pipefail', is correct because it ensures that if any command in a pipeline fails (returns a non-zero exit status), the entire pipeline's exit status reflects that failure. Without it, only the last command's exit status is considered, which can mask errors in earlier pipeline stages. Option C, 'set -e', is correct because it causes the script to exit immediately upon any command returning a non-zero exit status, preventing silent failures from propagating.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
set -o pipefail
Why this is correct
Exit on pipeline failure.
- ✗
set -n
Why it's wrong here
Syntax check only.
- ✓
set -e
Why this is correct
Exit on error.
- ✗
set -x
Why it's wrong here
Debugging, not error handling.
- ✗
shopt -s histappend
Why it's wrong here
History option.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Linux Fundamentals and History
Key term
Linux
Linux is an open-source operating system that manages computer hardware and software, widely used in servers, desktops, and embedded systems.
Key term
Bash
Bash is a command-line interpreter that lets users interact with an operating system by typing text commands instead of clicking icons.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every XK0-006 question from scratch — 979 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.