XK0-005 Scripting, Containers and Automation Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of scripting, containers and automation. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A script uses 'set -e' and then calls a function that returns a non-zero exit status. The script exits unexpectedly. Which of the following should be added to the function to prevent the script from exiting?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
set +e inside the function
The `set -e` directive causes the shell to exit immediately if any command returns a non-zero exit status. When a function called from such a script returns a non-zero status, the script exits. Adding `set +e` inside the function disables this behavior for the function's scope, allowing the function to handle errors internally without terminating the entire script.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
return 0 after the command
Why it's wrong here
This would cause the function to return 0 regardless of the previous command, which is not the same as ignoring an error.
✓
set +e inside the function
Why this is correct
Disables exit-on-error for the function, allowing non-zero exit codes without terminating.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
exit 0
Why it's wrong here
This would exit the entire script with status 0, not just the function.
✗
trap '' ERR
Why it's wrong here
This traps the ERR signal but does not prevent the script from exiting due to 'set -e'.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think `return 0` or `exit 0` will override the non-zero exit status, but they fail to realize that `set -e` causes the script to exit immediately when the command fails, before any subsequent `return` or `exit` statement is executed.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This would cause the function to return 0 regardless of the previous command, which is not the same as ignoring an error.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `set -e` option (also known as `errexit`) is a bash built-in that causes the shell to exit when a simple command exits with a non-zero status, unless the command is part of a conditional (e.g., `if`, `while`, `until`) or is followed by `||` or `&&`. Using `set +e` inside a function temporarily disables this behavior for that function's execution context, allowing the function to return a non-zero exit code without terminating the script. This is commonly used in scripts that need to perform cleanup or error handling in a function without risking an abrupt exit.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this XK0-005 question in full detail.
Scripting, Containers and Automation — This question tests Scripting, Containers and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: set +e inside the function — The `set -e` directive causes the shell to exit immediately if any command returns a non-zero exit status. When a function called from such a script returns a non-zero status, the script exits. Adding `set +e` inside the function disables this behavior for the function's scope, allowing the function to handle errors internally without terminating the entire script.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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