return -1 does not work...?

[Ferrice]

Why does this not work?
I need to return negative numbers from functions
No matter which negative number (-1 -5 -10) the function always returns 2

function testfcn{
return -1
}

testfcn
echo $? # <- always displays 2

please help!!!
regards!

[gerard4143]

I believe that bash can only return values 0 - 255 from functions.

[RobinVossen]

I am not sure about it either.
But @gerard4143 -1 is 0xFFFFFFFF
And if bash only support unsigned byte values it would be 255 and not 2.