Powershell format string with output from function

Question

Hey guys I am having trouble figuring out how to convert the following function (which requires an input) into a variable

 function Convert-ToLetters ([parameter(Mandatory=$true,ValueFromPipeline=$true)][int] $value)  {
   $currVal = $value;
   $returnVal = '';
   while ($currVal -ge 26) {
      $returnVal = [char](($currVal) % 26 + 65) + $returnVal;
      $currVal =  [int][math]::Floor($currVal / 26)
   }
  $returnVal = [char](($currVal) + 64) + $returnVal;

     return $returnVal
  }

What this Function does is to convert a number into letters.

Now what I want to achieve is to somehow do this:

$convert2letter = Convert-ToLetters()

So that I can do something like

$WR= "$convert2letter($CValue1)" + "-" + "$convert2letter($CValue2)" + "-" + "3"

But Powershell isnt allowing me to do $convert2letter

So what can I do here?

Thanks

Why would you do it like this? Why not just call the function inside your string? — Matt
– Matt, Commented Dec 7, 2016 at 19:39
Thanks.... but maybe because my brain is just failing today... I could not figure out how to apply it here...even though I recognize it is VERY relevant and most probably the solution to my problem... I am sorry... — AdilZ
– AdilZ, Commented Dec 7, 2016 at 19:40
@Matt I am not sure what you mean.... my problem is that if I do a "Convertto-Letter($Cvalue1)" + "-" + "Convertto-Letter($Cvalue1)" + "-" + "3" ......... ill get a result of Convert-ToLetters(5)-Convert-ToLetters(21)-3 instead of say E-U-3 — AdilZ
– AdilZ, Commented Dec 7, 2016 at 19:45
No need to put solutions in the question. That is what the answers are for! — Matt
– Matt, Commented Dec 7, 2016 at 19:58

Matt · Accepted Answer · 2016-12-07 19:41:31Z

5

Without more information for justifying it I would think instead of this:

$WR= "$convert2letter($CValue1)" + "-" + "$convert2letter($CValue2)" + "-" + "3"

You should just be doing this:

$WR = "$(Convert-ToLetters $CValue1)-$(Convert-ToLetters $CValue2)-3"

which uses subexpressions. Or use the format operator

$WR = "{0}-{1}-3" -f (Convert-ToLetters $CValue1), (Convert-ToLetters $CValue2)

answered Dec 7, 2016 at 19:41

Matt

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1 Comment

AdilZ Over a year ago

Thank you very much!!! .... I cant believe I was forgetting something so simple.....I ended up just doing $WR = "$(Convert-toletters $Cvalue1)" + "-" + "$Convert-toletters $Cvalue2" + "-" + "3" .... Man I must be becoming really stupid today

Bill_Stewart · Accepted Answer · 2016-12-07 19:49:06Z

2

If I understand your question, you are saying you want to invoke a function whose name is stored in a variable. One way to do this is by embedding a subexpression - $() - in a string and use the invocation/call operator - & to execute the function. For example:

function T {
  param(
    $a
  )
  "Result = $a"
}

$fn = "T"
"We want $(& $fn Test)"

Output:

We want Result = Test

answered Dec 7, 2016 at 19:49

Bill_Stewart

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Comments

4c74356b41 · Accepted Answer · 2016-12-07 19:20:16Z

1

New-Alias -Name `$convert2letter -Value Convert-ToLetters

Not sure what you are trying to achieve, this doesn't make a lot of sense.

answered Dec 7, 2016 at 19:20

4c74356b41

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3 Comments

AdilZ Over a year ago

maybe it isnt something allowed in Powershell.... I was trying to make a script where I do several $WR...which is an alpha numeric "address"... but the source output that I originally get is numeric than Alphabetical in some parts...so I have to convert them.... i just wanted to see if I can somehow set $convert2letter as just the function without value.... since you cant use " " when typing the function with value

4c74356b41 Over a year ago

but why? why can't you call the function?

AdilZ Over a year ago

when I try ...... I get + $convert2letter = Convert-ToLetters() + ~ An expression was expected after '('. + CategoryInfo : ParserError: (:) [], ParentContainsErrorRecordException + FullyQualifiedErrorId : ExpectedExpression

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