This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of create simple shell scripts. 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 script needs to execute a command that might fail, but the script should continue. The administrator wants to capture the exit status for logging. Which code snippet correctly implements this?
set -e; ./risky_command; rc=$?; echo $rc
Why wrong: A is wrong because 'set -e' would cause exit before capturing status.
rc=$? ./risky_command; echo $rc
Why wrong: D is wrong because $? is evaluated before the command runs.
./risky_command; rc=$?; echo $rc
C is correct. The exit status is always captured after command.
./risky_command && rc=$?; echo $rc
Why wrong: B is wrong because 'rc' is only set if the command succeeds.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
./risky_command; rc=$?; echo $rc
Option C is correct because the exit status is captured immediately after the command. Option A is wrong because using 'set -e' would exit on failure. Option B is wrong because chaining with '&&' would skip the status capture if the command fails. Option D is wrong because the variable assignment and command execution are reversed.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
set -e; ./risky_command; rc=$?; echo $rc
Why it's wrong here
A is wrong because 'set -e' would cause exit before capturing status.
rc=$? ./risky_command; echo $rc
Why it's wrong here
D is wrong because $? is evaluated before the command runs.
./risky_command; rc=$?; echo $rc
Why this is correct
C is correct. The exit status is always captured after command.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
./risky_command && rc=$?; echo $rc
Why it's wrong here
B is wrong because 'rc' is only set if the command succeeds.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
D is wrong because $? is evaluated before the command runs.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the EX200 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which EX200 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Create simple shell scripts — This question tests Create simple shell scripts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: ./risky_command; rc=$?; echo $rc — Option C is correct because the exit status is captured immediately after the command. Option A is wrong because using 'set -e' would exit on failure. Option B is wrong because chaining with '&&' would skip the status capture if the command fails. Option D is wrong because the variable assignment and command execution are reversed.
Identify which EX200 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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