bash - Console output suppressed. Why? -

in bash script have function that:

• contains expect script spawning ssh connection remote device
• and depending on whether connection timed-out or not echo's string effect (as return value)

when run script terminal , bash script reaches statement of:

myexpectfunc [further code...] 

why can see console output of expect script, if following:

retval=$(myexpectfunc) [further code...] 

there no console output? suppressed until retval has been assigned value.

i'd keep local variables functions , return values of these variables return value me able case on. of course if don't declare local variables function variable global , can case on global variable. i'd rather not this. there way able maintain console output , assign return value retval?

so there way able maintain console output , assign return value retval?

yes. use tee:

retval=$(myexpectfunc | tee /dev/tty) 

all of standard output myexpectfunc sent standard input of tee. tee copies both file /dev/tty (which terminal) , own standard out (which captured retval).