- A
It treats unset variables as an error
Why wrong: Incorrect. The 'set -u' option treats unset variables as an error, not 'set -e'. 'set -e' does not affect variable handling.
- B
It prints each command before execution
Why wrong: Incorrect. The 'set -x' option prints each command before execution, not 'set -e'. 'set -e' does not print commands.
- C
It enables debug mode with verbose output
Why wrong: Incorrect. Debug mode with verbose output is enabled by 'set -x' or 'set -v', not 'set -e'. 'set -e' only causes the script to exit on errors.
- D
It exits the script immediately if a command fails
Correct. The 'set -e' option makes the shell exit immediately if any command or pipeline returns a non-zero exit status, halting the script on error.
Question 24 of 537
set -e Option: Exit Shell Script Immediately on Command Failure
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.
An administrator writes a script that uses the 'set -e' option at the top. What is the primary effect of this option?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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
✓
It exits the script immediately if a command fails
The 'set -e' option instructs the shell to exit immediately if any command or pipeline returns a non-zero exit status (i.e., fails). This is commonly used in scripts to prevent execution from continuing after an error, which could lead to unpredictable behavior or data corruption. It does not affect variable handling, command printing, or debug verbosity.
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.
- ✗
It treats unset variables as an error
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The 'set -u' option treats unset variables as an error, not 'set -e'. 'set -e' does not affect variable handling.
- ✗
It prints each command before execution
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The 'set -x' option prints each command before execution, not 'set -e'. 'set -e' does not print commands.
- ✗
It enables debug mode with verbose output
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Debug mode with verbose output is enabled by 'set -x' or 'set -v', not 'set -e'. 'set -e' only causes the script to exit on errors.
- ✓
It exits the script immediately if a command fails
Why this is correct
Correct. The 'set -e' option makes the shell exit immediately if any command or pipeline returns a non-zero exit status, halting the script on error.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'set -e' with 'set -u' (unset variable errors) or with debugging options like 'set -x' or 'set -v', because all are shell options that begin with 'set -' but have very different effects.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect. The 'set -x' option prints each command before execution, not 'set -e'. 'set -e' does not print commands.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, 'set -e' causes the shell to check the exit status of every simple command, pipeline, list, or compound command; if any returns non-zero, the shell immediately terminates the script (unless the command is part of a conditional like 'if', 'while', or 'until', or is used with '&&' or '||'). A subtle behavior is that 'set -e' does not apply to commands in a pipeline that are not the last command, unless the 'pipefail' option is also set. In real-world scenarios, this is critical for safety-critical automation scripts where an unhandled failure could corrupt data or leave the system in an inconsistent state.
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 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX200 question test?
Create simple shell scripts — This question tests Create simple shell scripts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It exits the script immediately if a command fails — The 'set -e' option instructs the shell to exit immediately if any command or pipeline returns a non-zero exit status (i.e., fails). This is commonly used in scripts to prevent execution from continuing after an error, which could lead to unpredictable behavior or data corruption. It does not affect variable handling, command printing, or debug verbosity.
What should I do if I get this EX200 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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