This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of create simple shell scripts. 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.
Which TWO of the following are correct statements about exit codes in shell scripts?
An exit code of 1 means success
Why wrong: C is wrong; 0 means success.
A non-zero exit code usually indicates a failure
B is correct.
An exit code of -1 indicates a system error
Why wrong: A is wrong; exit codes are 0-255, -1 becomes 255.
If no 'exit' is used, the script exits with code 0
Why wrong: E is wrong; the exit code is that of the last command.
Using 'exit 1' in a script sets the exit code to 1
D is correct.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
A non-zero exit code usually indicates a failure
Options B and D are correct. B: A non-zero exit code indicates failure, zero success. D: 'exit 1' explicitly sets the exit code. Option A is wrong because 'exit -1' is invalid; exit codes are modulo 256. Option C is wrong because an exit code of 0 indicates success. Option E is wrong because 'exit 0' is not the default; the default is the exit code of the last command.
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.
An exit code of 1 means success
Why it's wrong here
C is wrong; 0 means success.
A non-zero exit code usually indicates a failure
Why this is correct
B is correct.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
An exit code of -1 indicates a system error
Why it's wrong here
A is wrong; exit codes are 0-255, -1 becomes 255.
If no 'exit' is used, the script exits with code 0
Why it's wrong here
E is wrong; the exit code is that of the last command.
Using 'exit 1' in a script sets the exit code to 1
Why this is correct
D is correct.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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
E is wrong; the exit code is that of the last command.
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: A non-zero exit code usually indicates a failure — Options B and D are correct. B: A non-zero exit code indicates failure, zero success. D: 'exit 1' explicitly sets the exit code. Option A is wrong because 'exit -1' is invalid; exit codes are modulo 256. Option C is wrong because an exit code of 0 indicates success. Option E is wrong because 'exit 0' is not the default; the default is the exit code of the last command.
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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