Quick Answer
The correct choice is `set +e` because it disables the shell’s “exit on error” mode, allowing a bash script to continue executing even after a command returns a non-zero exit status. In bash, the `set -e` command instructs the script to abort immediately upon any failure, so using `set +e` explicitly reverses that behavior, ensuring the script proceeds past errors. On the Linux Professional Institute Certification Level 1 LPIC-1 exam, this concept tests your understanding of shell execution control and error handling, often appearing in questions about script reliability and debugging. A common trap is confusing `set +e` with `set -e`—remember that the plus sign (+) adds leniency by turning off the strict exit, while the minus sign (-) enforces it. For a quick memory tip: think of the plus sign as “plus tolerance” for errors, keeping your script running despite hiccups.
This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of shells, scripting and data management. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 system administrator needs to ensure that a bash script continues executing even if any command in the script fails. Which of the following should be used at the beginning of the script?
set +e
Disables exit on error, allowing the script to continue.
trap 'echo error' ERR
Why wrong: Traps errors but does not prevent exit if set -e is active; also not the simplest method.
unset -e
Why wrong: unset -e is not a valid command; -e is not a variable.
set -e
Why wrong: This causes the script to exit on any error, opposite of desired.
# set +e
Why wrong: A comment does not affect shell behavior.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
set +e
Option A is correct because `set +e` disables the 'exit on error' behavior in a bash script, allowing the script to continue executing even if a command returns a non-zero exit status. By default, bash scripts do not exit on error, but if `set -e` is used elsewhere, `set +e` explicitly turns that off to ensure the script continues despite failures.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
set +e
Why this is correct
Disables exit on error, allowing the script to continue.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
trap 'echo error' ERR
Why it's wrong here
Traps errors but does not prevent exit if set -e is active; also not the simplest method.
unset -e
Why it's wrong here
unset -e is not a valid command; -e is not a variable.
set -e
Why it's wrong here
This causes the script to exit on any error, opposite of desired.
# set +e
Why it's wrong here
A comment does not affect shell behavior.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `set +e` with `set -e`, or think that a comment like `# set +e` would have any effect, when in fact the `+` sign disables the option and the `-` sign enables it.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
unset -e is not a valid command; -e is not a variable.
Detailed technical explanation
The `set` builtin in bash controls shell options; `-e` (or `errexit`) causes the shell to exit if a pipeline, command, or compound command returns a non-zero status. Using `set +e` disables this behavior, which is critical in scripts where you want to handle errors manually (e.g., with conditional checks) or where a command's failure is not fatal. A subtle behavior is that `set -e` does not apply to commands in a conditional (like `if` or `while`), but it does apply to all other commands, so disabling it with `set +e` is necessary for unconditional error tolerance.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the LPIC-1 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Shells, Scripting and Data Management — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Shells, Scripting and Data Management — This question tests Shells, Scripting and Data Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: set +e — Option A is correct because `set +e` disables the 'exit on error' behavior in a bash script, allowing the script to continue executing even if a command returns a non-zero exit status. By default, bash scripts do not exit on error, but if `set -e` is used elsewhere, `set +e` explicitly turns that off to ensure the script continues despite failures.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A developer needs to ensure a bash script exits immediately if any command fails, and also prints each command before executing it. Which set of shell options should be used at the beginning of the script?
hardWhy A: Option A is correct because `set -ex` combines two essential shell options: `-e` (errexit) causes the script to exit immediately if any command returns a non-zero exit status, and `-x` (xtrace) prints each command (after expansion) to stderr before executing it. This is the standard way to achieve both behaviors in a single line, as required by the question.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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