Run powershell from powershell prompt with parameters

Question

I am novice to power shell and I am not able to figure this very simple code out and have a question:

I have a basic script c:\Folder\abc.ps1:

function abc 
{
Param( 
        [parameter(Mandatory=$false]
        $Env
}

Write-Output "The parameter is: $Env"
}
abc $Env

Now calling this script from command line:

C:\Dev> . "c:\Folder\abc.ps1" "Dev"
The parameter is:
C:\Dev> . "c:\Folder\abc.ps1" "Dev"
The parameter is:

Now if I initialize the Env then that works;

C:\Dev> $Env = "Dev"
C:\Dev> . "c:\Folder\abc.ps1"
C:\Dev> The parameter is: Dev

I would love to make this in one line like above from any location rather than the folder where it is placed. I am using the Power shell from the Power shell prompt in Windows Environment

Your help is appreciated

Your first script does not accept arguments. That is why it does nothing when you pass it a string. Also avoid using $env as that is the same name as the environment variable. — Matt
– Matt, Commented Nov 6, 2015 at 3:21

Alec Collier · Accepted Answer · 2015-11-06 01:26:28Z

1

A couple of options here.

You can call using the following statement to set the value of $Env

.\abc.ps1 -env "dev"

Or you can update your code to extract the values of the parameters you pass in which are unnamed. These are stored in an array called $args.

function abc 
{
}

$env=$args[0]

Write-Output "The parameter is: $env"
abc $env

And then call this function as

"c:\Folder\abc.ps1" "Dev"

answered Nov 6, 2015 at 1:26

Alec Collier

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3 Comments

Akshay Over a year ago

Thanks , but there must be a way to run this from one command line and not setting it before. I am using a build system to run a power shell so unfortunately don't have that liberty.

Matt Over a year ago

@Akshay I don't understand why you think something like this does not work.

Alec Collier Over a year ago

@Akshay Not exactly sure what you mean by 'setting it before'. Both of these options operate from one single command line.

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 12:29:51Z

Your first script does nothing with the arguments being passed. That is why your first example does not net the output you expect. $env is always null.

On that topic do not use $env as a variable as it is the same as the provider used for environment variables. Albeit, that has nothing to do with your issue. Just know it is a something to avoid as it could be the cause of future issues or confusion.

The reason your second code call works is because using the dot operator.

. Dot sourcing operator

Runs a script in the current scope so that any functions, aliases, and variables that the script creates are added to the current scope.

If you want your first script to work you need to process arguments. The answer by Alec Collier covers a simple approach. Use the $args variable. There is several others and a notable one involves param just as you have used in your function.

Param( 
    [parameter(position=0,
        Mandatory=$false)]
    $bagel
)

function abc {
    Param( 
        [parameter(Mandatory=$false)]
        $value
    )

    Write-Output "The parameter is: $value"
}

abc $bagel

And then the script can be called just like you had.

. "c:\Folder\abc.ps1" "Dev"

Maxime Franchot · Accepted Answer · 2017-07-21 06:14:26Z

0

With a simple change from the } character to a ) character, which seems to be a mistake on your part, your script should work absolutely fine.

I'm talking about this:

Param( 
    [parameter(Mandatory=$false]
    $Env
} <-------------

Notice how the open bracket is a round bracket, not a curly bracket. By putting a curly bracket you are closing the function, hence nothing works.

answered Jul 21, 2017 at 6:14

Maxime Franchot

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