Bash Shell Scripting - Returning Data

The video tutorial explains how return values work in different programming languages, focusing on bash scripting. It covers three methods to return values from functions: using global variables, command substitution, and the return statement. The tutorial demonstrates how to count user accounts in a system using these methods and highlights the limitations of the return statement in bash, which only returns numeric exit statuses. The video concludes with examples of using return values for decision-making in scripts.

What is the purpose of using a global variable to store the return value of a function?

What are the potential challenges when dealing with multiple return values in complex functions?

Discuss the implications of returning a numeric value from a function in bash.

How can you implement decision-making based on return values in a bash script?