Korn Shell: Unix and Linux Programming Manual, Third Edition, The

Functions

For historical reasons, there are two ways to define functions, the name() syntax and the function name syntax, described in the Commands later in this appendix. Shell functions are read in and stored internally. Alias names are resolved when the function is read. Functions are executed like commands with the arguments passed as positional parameters. (See Execution later in this appendix.)

Functions defined by the function name syntax and called by name execute in the same process as the caller and share all files and present working directory with the caller. Traps caught by the caller are reset to their default action inside the function. A trap condition that is not caught or ignored by the function causes the function to terminate ...