How to pass objects in powershell

Question

I can pass one object in powershell, but when I have 2 objects, only 1 is passed, the other is null.

psuedo-code:

function do-something($param1, $param2) {
...
}


do-something($a, $b)

Do I need to do something special to get both args passed to do-something? What I have resorted to is using globals which I think will lead to other issues.

Mathias R. Jessen · Accepted Answer · 2020-03-27 11:53:02Z

2

Although PowerShell allows for a "C#-style" function definition syntax (like in your example), the syntax for invoking functions is a little bit different - in that parameter arguments are separated by whitespace rather than comma, and optionally passed by name.

For what you're trying to do, either of these will work:

Do-Something $a $b
Do-Something -param1 $a -param2 $b
Do-Something -param1:$a -param2:$b

What your current code resolves to is:

Do-Something -param1 ($a, $b)

... which is why you only receive a single argument in the function.

See the about_Functions help file for further details

answered Mar 27, 2020 at 11:53

Mathias R. Jessen

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2 Comments

Walter Over a year ago

Thanks, that was it. Being new to powershell, the syntax is a little bit different than what I'm used to. This was very useful. I'll have another go at about Functions, I thought I could call it the way I was used to doing.

Mathias R. Jessen Over a year ago

Yeah, the PowerShell learning curve is a bit weird, but practice makes a master :) Be sure to check out the about_Functions_Advanced* topics as well - the syntax you're currently using is great for many general-purpose functions, but advanced functions allow a greater deal of control over input binding and the likes

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