Get-variable PowerShell Command

Windows PowerShell is a powerful scripting language that enables users to automate tasks and manage Windows-based systems. One of the most useful commands in Windows PowerShell is the Get-Variable command, which allows users to retrieve information about variables in the current session. In this article, we’ll discuss the syntax, parameters, inputs, outputs, examples, and tips for using the Get-Variable command.

Syntax of the Get-Variable Command

The syntax of the Get-Variable command is as follows:

Get-Variable [-Name] <String[]> [-Scope <String>] [-ValueOnly] [-Exclude <String[]>] [-Include <String[]>] [-Visible] [-Force] [-ErrorAction <ActionPreference>] [-WarningAction <ActionPreference>] [-ErrorVariable <String>] [-WarningVariable <String>] [-OutVariable <String>] [-OutBuffer <Int32>] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [ <CommonParameters>]

Parameters of the Get-Variable Command

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

Inputs and Outputs of the Get-Variable Command

The Get-Variable command takes no inputs and produces output in the form of a list of variables. The output includes the name, type, value, and scope of each variable.

Examples of the Get-Variable Command

The following examples demonstrate how to use the Get-Variable command:

• To retrieve the value of a single variable, use the following command: Get-Variable -Name <variable_name>
• To retrieve the value of all variables in the current session, use the following command: Get-Variable
• To retrieve the value of all variables in the global scope, use the following command: Get-Variable -Scope Global
• To retrieve the value of all variables in the local scope, use the following command: Get-Variable -Scope Local
• To retrieve the value of all variables in the script scope, use the following command: Get-Variable -Scope Script
• To retrieve the value of all visible variables, use the following command: Get-Variable -Visible
• To retrieve the value of all variables except for the specified variables, use the following command: Get-Variable -Exclude <variable_name1>, <variable_name2>, …
• To retrieve the value of only the specified variables, use the following command: Get-Variable -Include <variable_name1>, <variable_name2>, …

Tips for Using the Get-Variable Command

The Get-Variable command is a powerful tool for retrieving information about variables in the current session. Here are some tips for using the command effectively:

• Use the -Name parameter to specify the name of the variable to retrieve.
• Use the -Scope parameter to specify the scope of the variable to retrieve.
• Use the -ValueOnly parameter to retrieve only the value of the variable.
• Use the -Exclude parameter to exclude certain variables from the output.
• Use the -Include parameter to include only certain variables in the output.
• Use the -Visible parameter to retrieve only visible variables.
• Use the -Force parameter to suppress confirmation prompts.
• Use the -ErrorAction parameter to specify the action to take when an error occurs.
• Use the -WarningAction parameter to specify the action to take when a warning occurs.
• Use the -ErrorVariable parameter to store errors in a variable.
• Use the -WarningVariable parameter to store warnings in a variable.
• Use the -OutVariable parameter to store the output in a variable.
• Use the -OutBuffer parameter to specify the number of objects to buffer before writing to the output.
• Use the -WhatIf parameter to test the command without actually executing it.
• Use the -Confirm parameter to prompt for confirmation before executing the command.

Conclusion

The Get-Variable command is a powerful tool for retrieving information about variables in the current session. With the command’s various parameters, users can customize the output to suit their needs. This article has discussed the syntax, parameters, inputs, outputs, examples, and tips for using the Get-Variable command. Armed with this knowledge, users can make the most of this useful Windows PowerShell command.