Powershell accessing multiple parameters in a for loop

Question

Hi I am very new to powershell and I am writing a script that accepts multiple parameters. These parameters are being accessed in a for loop inside the file. It looks something like this

$numOfArgs = args.Length
for ($i=3; $i -le $numOfArgs; $i++)
{


   write-host "folder: $args[$i]"
   # does something with the arguments

}

However, the output gives me all the parameters as a whole instead of just one parameter specified in the array as an array element? Can someone tell me where is the mistake here? Thanks!

SebMa · Accepted Answer · 2021-11-05 09:55:30Z

4

EDIT: Thanks Duncan to point this out, missing a $ in a variable.

Try this:

$numOfArgs = $args.Length
for ($i=3; $i -lt $numOfArgs; $i++)
{
   write-host "folder: $($args[$i])"
   # does something with the arguments
}

When placing a variable in a string, the variable is evaluated, not the entire expression. So by surrounding it with $() Powershell will evaluate the whole expression.

In other words, only $args was evaluated instead of $args[$i]

edited Nov 5, 2021 at 9:55

SebMa

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answered Nov 28, 2014 at 19:16

Micky Balladelli

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1 Comment

Duncan Over a year ago

You need a $ in the first line: $args.Length I tried adding it for you but it got overwritten when you improved your answer.

silicontrip · Accepted Answer · 2020-11-28 04:59:05Z

1

The preferred Powershell way is to use a bind parameter, like this;

param(
  [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)][string[]]$Paths
)

# not sure why we're skipping some elements
$Paths | foreach-object { write-host "folder: $_" }

Which you can specify an array or arguments, like this;

.\myScript.ps1 -Paths c:\,c:\Users\,'c:\Program Files\'

This way it will work with -argument TAB completion and will even give you a brief usage using the get-help cmdlet.

get-help .\myscript.ps1
myScript.ps1 [-Paths] <string[]> [<CommonParameters>]

answered Nov 28, 2020 at 4:59

silicontrip

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