PowerShell command only works without spaces between arguments

Question

I try certain source codes using PowerShell to extract an password protected archive using 7zip:

This command doesn' work (7zip is an alias for $7zipPath):

& 7zip x "$zipFile" -o "$output" -p $zipFilePassword

I get the this error: Command Line Error: Too short switch:

But when I remove the spaces between the variables -o and -p, the archive can be extracted. This behaviour confuses me with other command line tools like git etc.? Why is it so?

Does this answer your question? stackoverflow.com/questions/28160254/… — Doug Maurer
– Doug Maurer, Commented Oct 14, 2020 at 0:38

mklement0 · Accepted Answer · 2020-10-14 02:08:02Z

1

The behavior is specific to 7-Zip (7z.exe) and applies to whatever program (shell) you invoke it from:

Deviating from widely used conventions observed by CLIs such as git, 7z requires that even switches (options) that have mandatory arguments, such as -o and -p, have the argument directly attached to the switch name - no spaces are allowed:

& 7zip x $zipFile -o"$output" -p"$zipFilePassword"

Note that you normally need not enclose variable references in PowerShell in "..." (note how $zipFile isn't), even if they contain spaces. However, in order to attach them directly to switch names, you do.

Alternatively, you could enclose the entire token - switch name and argument - in double quotes:

& 7zip x $zipFile "-o$output" "-p$zipFilePassword"

answered Oct 14, 2020 at 2:08

mklement0

452k68 gold badges727 silver badges986 bronze badges

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

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

PowerShell command only works without spaces between arguments

I get the this error: Command Line Error: Too short switch:

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

I get the this error: Command Line Error: Too short switch:

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related