Bash array declared in a function is not available outside the function on bash (v4.3.11) terminal type this: function FUNCtst() { declare -A astr; astr=([a]="1k" [b]="2k" ); declare -p astr; };FUNCtst;declare -p astr (same thing below, just to be easier to read here) function FUNCtst() { declare -A astr; astr=([a]="1k" [b]="2k" ); declare -p astr; }; FUNCtst; declare -p astr will output this (outside of the function the array looses its value, why?) declare -A astr='([a]="1k" [b]="2k" )' bash: declare: astr: not found I was expecting it output this: declare -A astr='([a]="1k" [b]="2k" )' declare -A astr='([a]="1k" [b]="2k" )' how to make it work?

From the man page:

> When used in a function, declare makes each name local, as with the `local` command, unless the `-g` option is used.

Example:


FUNCtst() {
declare -gA astr
astr=([a]="1k" [b]="2k" )
declare -p astr
}
FUNCtst
declare -p astr


prints


declare -A astr=([a]="1k" [b]="2k" )
declare -A astr=([a]="1k" [b]="2k" )