Converting from C# to Powershell syntax

Question

In C# I can use the method Console.Error.WriteLine. This doesn't work in Powershell, instead I must write

[Console]::Error.WriteLine

Why square brackets, why the double colons?

ps. To be clear, I'm not interested in logging, I want to understand the syntax about types and objects and methods

That's always the challenge with funny syntax features. You can't Google it (easily)! — derekerdmann
– derekerdmann, Commented May 18, 2012 at 13:23

Cédric Rup · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-18 13:36:58Z

10

Brackets = access to a type

double colons = access to a static member of a type : [MyType] return a Type instance

ex:

c:> [System.Int32]

IsPublic IsSerial Name BaseType

-------- -------- ---- --------

True True Int32 System.ValueType

using the dot notation would only give you access to instance members of the Type instance (reflection related methods for most)...

c:\> [System.Int32].Parse("3")

Method call failed because [System.Runtype] does not have any "Parse" member

c:\> [System.Int32].AssemblyQualifiedName

System.Int32, mscorlib, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089

so :: is the way to access static members of a Class

c:\> [System.Int32]::Parse("3")
3

edited May 18, 2012 at 13:36

answered May 18, 2012 at 13:26

Cédric Rup

16k3 gold badges41 silver badges30 bronze badges

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

Comments

goric · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-18 13:30:36Z

5

The square brackets [] are Powershell's way of denoting a type. The double colons :: represent a static member or method of that type, where the normal period . represents an instance member or method.

Note that these were influenced by other .NET languages - C# uses the . for all member access, and C++ uses the :: for namespaces, subclasses, and static calls.

answered May 18, 2012 at 13:30

goric

12k9 gold badges56 silver badges72 bronze badges

Comments

Angshuman Agarwal · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-18 16:05:23Z

0

Watch it here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jpswk-4ykcc

answered May 18, 2012 at 16:05

Angshuman Agarwal

4,8768 gold badges45 silver badges92 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Converting from C# to Powershell syntax

3 Answers 3

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related