Echo output to terminal within function in BASH

Question

I am writing a script in BASH. I have a function within the script that I want to provide progress feedback to the user. Only problem is that the echo command does not print

Answer 1

Yet a solution other than sending to STDERR (it may be preferred if your STDERR has other uses, or possibly be redirected by the caller)

This solution direct prints to the terminal tty:

function test_function {
    echo "Echo value to terminal" > /dev/tty
    echo "return value"
}

Answer 2

send terminal output to stderr:

function test_function {
    echo "Echo value to terminal" >&2
    echo "return value"
}

Answer 3

Dont use command substitution to obtain the return value from the function

The return value is always available at the $? variable. You can use the variable rather than using command substitution

Test

$ function test_function {
> return_val=10; 
> echo "Echo value  to terminal $return_val";
> return $return_val; 
> }

$ test_function
Echo value  to terminal 10

$ return_value=$?

$ echo $return_value
10

Answer 4

If you don't know in which terminal/device you are:

function print_to_terminal(){
    echo "Value" >$(tty)
}