How to return array from bash function [duplicate]

Question

I want to return an array from the function on bash and use this array in another function. But I get a string, not an array, can you please help me about how can I return an array from bash function, I am new in bash scripting, thanks.

array(){
          local words=("a a" "b b" "c c")
           echo ${words[@]}
    }

    getWord(){
           words=$(array)
           for word in "${words[@]}"; do
                echo "$word"
            done
    }

    getWord

It returns string of a a b b c c but my expected result should be an array.

danrodlor · Accepted Answer · 2019-06-05 11:36:25Z

8

Actually, looking at your code, you don't need to return anything; the "words" variable is global and thus can be used in the whole script.

WORKAROUNDS:

EDIT:

#!/bin/bash

array(){
       local words=("a" "b" "c")
       echo "${words[@]}"
}

getWord(){
       local arr=( $(array) )
       for word in "${arr[@]}"; do
            echo "$word"
        done
}

getWord

EDIT2:

#!/bin/bash

orig_IFS="$IFS"
array_IFS="," #Or whatever you want, mb a safer one

array(){
       IFS="${array_IFS}"
       local words=("a a" "b b" "c c")
       echo "${words[*]}"
       IFS="${orig_IFS}"
}

getWord(){
       IFS="${array_IFS}"
       arr=( $(array) )
       IFS="${orig_IFS}"
       for word in "${arr[@]}"; do
            echo "$word"
        done
}

getWord

EDIT3: as suggested per @Kamil Cuk

#!/bin/bash

array_IFS=$'\ca' #Maybe this is safer than using a single comma

array(){
       IFS="${array_IFS}" local words=("a a" "b b" "c c")
       echo "${words[*]}"
}

getWord(){
       IFS="${array_IFS}" arr=( $(array) )
       for word in ${arr[@]}; do #we don't need double quotes anymore
            echo "$word"
        done
}

getWord

Note the slight differences.

edited Jun 5, 2019 at 11:36

answered Jun 5, 2019 at 8:33

danrodlor

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11 Comments

Jan Over a year ago

sorry I have revised the code the variable of words is local

danrodlor Over a year ago

Is there any good reason for that being that way?

Jan Over a year ago

actually, this code is just an example the main problem is how can I return an array from one function and use it in another function.

danrodlor Over a year ago

Using global variables. You can workaround the problem, though. See my edit.

KamilCuk Over a year ago

The IFS="${array_IFS}" <newline> arr=( $(array) ) is written as a single line IFS="$array_IFS" arr=( $(array) ). That way you don't need to save IFS.

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