Convertfrom-string PowerShell Command

Windows PowerShell is a powerful scripting language that enables users to automate tasks and manage their Windows systems. One of the most useful commands in Windows PowerShell is the ConvertFrom-String command, which allows users to quickly and easily convert strings of text into structured objects. In this article, we will explore the syntax, parameters, inputs, outputs, examples, and tips for using the ConvertFrom-String command.

What is the ConvertFrom-String Command?

The ConvertFrom-String command is a Windows PowerShell cmdlet that allows users to convert strings of text into structured objects. This command is especially useful when dealing with large amounts of data, as it can quickly and easily convert text into an object that can be manipulated and analyzed. The ConvertFrom-String command can be used to extract data from text-based files, such as CSV or JSON, as well as from other sources, such as web pages or emails.

Syntax of the ConvertFrom-String Command

The syntax of the ConvertFrom-String command is as follows:

ConvertFrom-String [-InputObject] <String[]> [-TemplateContent] <String> [-Delimiter] <String> [-PropertyNames] <String[]> [-PropertyTypes] <String[]> [-Culture] <String> [-IgnoreCase] <SwitchParameter> [-Encoding] <Encoding> [-ErrorAction <ActionPreference>] [-ErrorVariable <String>] [-OutVariable <String>] [-OutBuffer <Int32>] [-Verbose] [-Debug] [-WarningAction <ActionPreference>] [-WarningVariable <String>] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]

Parameters of the ConvertFrom-String Command

The ConvertFrom-String command has several parameters that can be used to customize the output. These parameters are as follows:

  • InputObject: This parameter specifies the string or strings to be converted.
  • TemplateContent: This parameter specifies the template that will be used to convert the string or strings.
  • Delimiter: This parameter specifies the delimiter that will be used to separate the string or strings.
  • PropertyNames: This parameter specifies the names of the properties that will be created from the string or strings.
  • PropertyTypes: This parameter specifies the types of the properties that will be created from the string or strings.
  • Culture: This parameter specifies the culture that will be used to interpret the string or strings.
  • IgnoreCase: This parameter specifies whether the case of the string or strings should be ignored.
  • Encoding: This parameter specifies the encoding that will be used to interpret the string or strings.
  • ErrorAction: This parameter specifies the action to be taken if an error occurs.
  • ErrorVariable: This parameter specifies the variable that will contain any errors that occur.
  • OutVariable: This parameter specifies the variable that will contain the output of the command.
  • OutBuffer: This parameter specifies the size of the output buffer.
  • Verbose: This parameter specifies whether verbose output should be displayed.
  • Debug: This parameter specifies whether debug output should be displayed.
  • WarningAction: This parameter specifies the action to be taken if a warning occurs.
  • WarningVariable: This parameter specifies the variable that will contain any warnings that occur.
  • WhatIf: This parameter specifies whether the command should be run in a “what-if” mode.
  • Confirm: This parameter specifies whether the command should be run in a “confirm” mode.

Inputs of the ConvertFrom-String Command

The ConvertFrom-String command accepts a string or strings as input. The string or strings should be in a text-based format, such as CSV or JSON, or from other sources, such as web pages or emails.

Outputs of the ConvertFrom-String Command

The ConvertFrom-String command outputs a structured object that can be manipulated and analyzed. The output object will contain the properties specified in the PropertyNames parameter.

Examples of the ConvertFrom-String Command

The following examples demonstrate how to use the ConvertFrom-String command:

  • To convert a CSV string into an object, use the following command: ConvertFrom-String -InputObject “Name,Age,Gender John,25,Male” -Delimiter “,” -PropertyNames Name,Age,Gender
  • To convert a JSON string into an object, use the following command: ConvertFrom-String -InputObject ‘{“Name”:”John”,”Age”:25,”Gender”:”Male”}’ -TemplateContent ‘{“Name”:$Name,”Age”:$Age,”Gender”:$Gender}’ -PropertyNames Name,Age,Gender -PropertyTypes String,Int32,String
  • To convert a web page into an object, use the following command: ConvertFrom-String -InputObject (Invoke-WebRequest -Uri “https://example.com/page.html”) -TemplateContent ‘<tr><td>$Name</td><td>$Age</td><td>$Gender</td></tr>’ -Delimiter “</tr>” -PropertyNames Name,Age,Gender

Tips for Using the ConvertFrom-String Command

When using the ConvertFrom-String command, there are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Make sure to specify the correct delimiter for the input string or strings.
  • Make sure to specify the correct property names and types for the output object.
  • Make sure to specify the correct culture for the input string or strings.
  • Make sure to specify the correct encoding for the input string or strings.
  • Make sure to specify the correct error action for the command.
  • Make sure to specify the correct warning action for the command.
  • Make sure to specify the correct output buffer size for the command.

Conclusion

The ConvertFrom-String command is a powerful Windows PowerShell cmdlet that allows users to quickly and easily convert strings of text into structured objects. By using the syntax, parameters, inputs, outputs, examples, and tips outlined in this article, users can easily use the ConvertFrom-String command to automate tasks and manage their Windows systems.

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