XK0-006 Automation, Orchestration, and Scripting Practice Question
In a Bash script, the administrator wants to capture the output of a command into a variable. Which syntax should be used?
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
✓
$(command)
Command substitution can be done with $(command) or backticks `command`. The latter is deprecated. $(( )) is for arithmetic expansion. $VAR is for variable expansion.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
$VAR
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. $VAR is used to expand the value of a variable, not to capture command output.
- ✗
$((command))
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. $(( )) is used for arithmetic expansion, not command substitution.
- ✗
`command`
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect but historically used. Backticks `command` also perform command substitution, but the $(command) syntax is preferred and less error-prone.
- ✓
$(command)
Why this is correct
Correct. $(command) is the modern syntax for command substitution, capturing the command's stdout into a variable.
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File Transfer and Remote Access
Key term
Bash script
A Bash script is a text file containing a sequence of commands for the Unix shell Bash, allowing users to automate repetitive tasks and streamline system administration on Linux and macOS.
Key term
Output
In IT service management, output is the result or deliverable produced by a process, system, or component, such as data, reports, or services delivered to a customer.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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