return a nested array from one function, pass as argument to another function

Question

I'm exasperated, trying not to resort to using a $Global variable to pass variable, I've seen the other seemingly identical "subjects" in this forum but in the details I am lost or it appears that they are doing something different - or I just don't understand the question or solution.

I am getting an array of event objects from a Get-WinEvent in func1. I want to return that array and use it as an argument for another func2. CASE#1

 $evtArray = Get-WinEvt -FilterHashtable @{ LogName=Application } #simplified for brevity
 return $evtArray  #not sure if working or not
 return ,$evtArray #not sure if working or not
 return @,$evtArray #not sure if working or not
}**```

```**function func2($evtArray) { #doesn't work
function func2( ,$evtArray ) #syntax error
function func2( ,($evtArray)) #syntax error
  ....further processing of the $evtArray occurs......**```

CASE#2 (may be the same as CASE#1 - not sure)
```**$array += ,(<date-time1>,[int],"string")
$array += ,(<date-time2>,[int],"string")**
....
Then pass $array as argument to a function
**func2($array)**

I've spent some hours on this and seen a dozen promising looking same subjects......

You don’t call functions using parenthesis. Call it like Get-Something -SomeParameter $evtarray — Doug Maurer
– Doug Maurer, Commented Feb 26, 2021 at 0:26
Right, old habits, I wasn't doing that in my code, func2 $array or func2 ,$array or func2 ,(array) .... this appears to a problem for a lot of people, I see a lot of people with same questions but no clear answer..... — DigitalSewage
– DigitalSewage, Commented Feb 26, 2021 at 0:32

Doug Maurer · Accepted Answer · 2021-02-26 00:32:14Z

1

I recommend you do not use return. It ends the current function and is generally unnecessary. To pass arguments to a function, do not enclose in parenthesis. The arguments should be space delimited and preferably you name the parameters, although that is not required.

$evtArray = Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{ LogName='Application'; ID = 0}

Function func2($Array){
    $array.gettype()
}

func2 $evtArray

As I said before you don't have to name the parameter and instead use positional arguments, but best practice for scripts/modules is to use full names.

func2 -Array $evtArray

Output when called either way is

IsPublic IsSerial Name                                     BaseType                                                                                                                           
-------- -------- ----                                     --------                                                                                                                           
True     True     Object[]                                 System.Array

answered Feb 26, 2021 at 0:32

Doug Maurer

8,9773 gold badges16 silver badges18 bronze badges

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

4 Comments

DigitalSewage Over a year ago

Doug, Thank so much for your insight. I'm a n00bie at powershell, but in your example $evtArray is global scope var and I am really trying to avoid doing that.....'function func1 { $evtArray = Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{ LogName='Application'; ID = 0} return ,evt$array' 'function func2($tmparray) { .........} ' 'func2 = func1'

DigitalSewage Over a year ago

Ok, here is what I have working.... I've seen some ways to pass array as argument but they are complicated and the solutions appear to assume the reader knows a lot more about powershell than I do

DigitalSewage Over a year ago

``function firstFunction { $array = 1,2,3 return ,$array } function secondFunction { $tmpArray = firstFunction Write-Host $tmpArray }`

DigitalSewage Over a year ago

News flash! I got this to work! func2 @(func1)

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

return a nested array from one function, pass as argument to another function

1 Answer 1

4 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

4 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related