Prof. Powershell
Lessons in Logic
How to use an IF construct in a PowerShell script.
- By Jeffery Hicks
- 12/01/2008
If you've done any sort of scripting, you've likely used logic constructs like IF, THEN and ELSE. PowerShell can also use these logic constructs, and I'll introduce some of them to you here. But don't think you need a script to use them-you can use these constructs directly in the console. Let's look at an IF construct. In PowerShell, this is the minimum syntax:
PS C:\> if (5 -gt 2) {write-host "bigger"}
bigger
Notice that there's no THEN and no END IF. The IF keyword evaluates the expression in parentheses and, if TRUE, executes whatever commands are enclosed in the curly braces. In this example, the word "bigger" is written to the console. Also, in this example, if the expression evaluated FALSE, you wouldn't get anything.
Here's where you can add an ELSE clause:
PS C:\> $x=5
PS C:\> if ($x -gt 2) {write-host "X is bigger"} else {write-host "X
is smaller"}
X is bigger
If the expression is TRUE, then the first script block is executed; otherwise, the second script block is executed. You can also perform secondary comparisons using an ELSEIF clause:
PS C:\> $x=5
PS C:\> if ($x -gt 10) {write-host "X is bigger"} elseif ($x -ge 5)
{write-host "X is in the middle"} else {write-host "X is smaller"}
X is in the middle
In this example, I'm evaluating three conditions:
- If $x is greater than 10, then the first script block is executed.
- Otherwise (ELSEIF), if $x is greater or equal than 5, then the second script block is executed.
- If neither is TRUE, the last script block is executed.
Remember that PowerShell will only execute the script block for the first expression that evaluates TRUE.
PowerShell doesn't care about the formatting and spacing of the braces, so you can write it as one line in the console (though in a script you'll likely write it like this):
if ($x -gt 10)
{
write-host "X is bigger"
}
elseif ($x -ge 5)
{
write-host "X is in the middle"
}
else
{
write-host "X is smaller"
}
This format makes it easier to understand, especially if you have multiple ELSEIF clauses.
About the Author
Jeffery Hicks is an IT veteran with over 25 years of experience, much of it spent as an IT infrastructure consultant specializing in Microsoft server technologies with an emphasis in automation and efficiency. He is a multi-year recipient of the Microsoft MVP Award in Windows PowerShell. He works today as an independent author, trainer and consultant. Jeff has written for numerous online sites and print publications, is a contributing editor at Petri.com, and a frequent speaker at technology conferences and user groups.