PowerShell : retrieve JSON object by variable value

Question

$json = ConvertFrom-Json "{key:true}"
$key = "key"
Write-Host $json[$key]

I'd like that to print true but it doesn't. I know $json.key would work. Can this be done?

AdamL · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-18 14:08:24Z

13

If you know that $json.key would work, then why you're switching from dot to square brackets? All these will work:

$json = ConvertFrom-Json "{key:true}"
$key = "key"

Write-Host $json.$key
Write-Host $json.$($key)
Write-Host $json."$key"

answered Apr 18, 2015 at 14:08

AdamL

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1 Comment

key is read from somewhere else. $json.$key works nicely... I had no idea PS could understand that. Thanks!

Matt · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-18 14:10:33Z

2

You could be referencing it using dot notation with your variables.

$json.$key

So in your Write-Host you would need a subexpression if you used quotes in your write-host

Write-Host "Key is: $($json.$key)"

You were trying to use array notation and returning null.

answered Apr 18, 2015 at 14:05

Matt

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Thanks for the downvote.. really. It let me know I made a mistake in typing.