Execute a powershell function directly in powershell command prompt

Question

How can i execute a powershell function directly in a powershell command prompt as follow

>>PS C:\Users\tijo.scaria> Function Test-Demo
>> {
>> Param ($Param1)
>> Begin{ write-host "Starting"}
>> Process{ write-host "processing" $_ for $Param1}
>> End{write-host "Ending"}
>> }

How can i call this function. i tied by pressing CNTRL+C and get out of the function and tried following command

>>PS C:\Users\tijo.scaria> Echo Testing1, Testing2 | Test-Demo Sample

but i got the following error

Test-Demo : The term 'Test-Demo' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operableprogram. Check the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again.At line:1 char:27+ Echo Testing1, Testing2 |Test-Demo Sample

How can i execute a function directly from Command window

Duncan · Accepted Answer · 2014-04-29 14:13:33Z

2

Your problem was pressing control-C to abort the function definition instead of completing it by pressing return:

PS C:\Windows\system32> function Test-Demo
>> {
>> Param ($Param1)
>> Begin { Write-Host "Starting" }
>> Process { Write-Host "Processing" $_ for $Param1 }
>> End { Write-Host "Ending" }
>> }
>>
PS C:\Windows\system32> Test-Demo "Hello"
Starting
Processing  for Hello
Ending

If you want to play with function definitions interactively though you should use Powershell ISE v3 or later. It makes these things much easier (in ISE you can enter multi-line commands with shift-return and then pull them back as a single coherent command, edit, insert and delete lines) or just type in the file window and execute any selected group of lines).

So in Powershell ISE v3:

PS C:\> function Test-Demo
{
 Param ($Param1)
 Begin { Write-Host "Starting" }
 Process { Write-Host "Processing" $_ for $Param1 }
 End { Write-Host "Ending" }
}

PS C:\> Test-Demo "Hello"
Starting
Processing  for Hello
Ending

PS C:\>

and then up-arrow twice brings back the entire function definition.

answered Apr 29, 2014 at 14:13

Duncan

96.4k15 gold badges129 silver badges160 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

lit Over a year ago

Since there is no more ISE, using the Microsoft Code editor or the Visual Studio Community version are good choices. Both are free of charge.

Trinue · Accepted Answer · 2014-04-29 13:41:09Z

1

I think you must create a PS1 file that contains that function. Then simply load that file and call the function you developed:

. "FunctionFile.ps1"
Test-Demo "Testing1"

answered Apr 29, 2014 at 13:41

Trinue

211 bronze badge

2 Comments

mystack Over a year ago

i know that Trinue :-)

Trinue Over a year ago

Sorry just noticed that you used Ctrl+C to exit the function. Doing that removes the function. You must write the function again but instead of using Ctrl+C to exit the prompt (>>) just press Enter. Then the function will be completed and you will be able to use it.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Execute a powershell function directly in powershell command prompt

2 Answers 2

1 Comment

2 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

1 Comment

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related