Issue using new-variable in a loop

Question

So, I have an interesting problem that I'm having no luck solving. I have a need to create a bunch of dynamic array variables.

code:

$temp = 'arr1=(1,2,3);arr2=(4,5,6);arr3=(7,8,9)'
foreach($item in $temp.split(";")){
    $var = $item.split("=")
    New-variable $var[0] $var[1]
    get-variable $var[0]
}

Results:

$arr1 (1,2,3)
...   (4,5,6)
...   (7,8,9)

I have variable $temp which contains a semicolon delimited list of variables/values I want to create. As you can see above I am using new-variable to create this. What is interesting is when I run this from a script, new-variable works for the first call but then I get "..." for all other variables in the array. Any idea what might be causing this?

Your first line doesn't make a semicolon delimited list. It stores the 1,2,3 in $temp and creates $arr2 with 4,5,6 but that's it. Please edit your question to fix the syntax. — Andy Arismendi
– Andy Arismendi, Commented May 21, 2012 at 5:31
It would help to get info what is your scenario, rather than the way you tried to solve it. Looking at the way you did it - you probably doing it wrong.. ;) What exactly is "dynamic" in your data and what end results should be - answering those two question would help others to forge some solution or push you in the right direction... — BartekB
– BartekB, Commented May 21, 2012 at 8:55
Sorry, I quickly put this up last night. Thanks for the help all but I figured this one out. I am pulling this string from a config file and when I am splitting the the string I was getting some random character inserted. I fixed this by trimming $var[0]. — user1407037
– user1407037, Commented May 22, 2012 at 0:57

Joey · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-21 06:38:02Z

2

As Andy already pointed out in a comment, you're not creating a semicolon-separated list, you're creating several variables named $arr1, $arr2, etc. and $temp just refers to $arr1.

A way of fixing your code would be

$temp = 'arr1=(1,2,3);arr2=(4,5,6);...'

Note that for New-Variable you cannot prefix the $ sigil. The variable name is arr1, even if you refer to it in code as $arr1 or (gv arr1).Value or whatever.

But that's a really strange way to write code in PowerShell. You just don't really provide enough detail so that we would actually know what you're doing.

You can just as well do

$arr1 = '(1,2,3)'
$arr2 = '(4,5,6)'
...

edited May 21, 2012 at 6:38

answered May 21, 2012 at 6:29

Joey

357k88 gold badges705 silver badges700 bronze badges

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

1 Comment

user1407037 Over a year ago

Sorry, I quickly put this up last night. Thanks for the help all but I figured this one out. I am pulling this string from a config file and when I am splitting the the string I was getting some random character inserted. I fixed this by trimming $var[0].

user1407037 · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-22 01:01:37Z

0

Not sure why this was happening but when I was splitting my string I was getting some random ascii character in my array. Able to see this thanks to PowerGUI!!! The solution was to trim the string prior to using it. (i.e. $var[0].Trim() )

answered May 22, 2012 at 1:01

user1407037

11 bronze badge

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Issue using new-variable in a loop

2 Answers 2

1 Comment

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

1 Comment

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related