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PowerShell Foreach Loops

PowerShell Foreach Operator Loops

For me, one of the most magical aspects of scripting is how simple code loops through a set of instructions and then produces results - in a flash.  Sometimes this magic is hidden, for example Get-Process implies looping as it returns all the running processes, in other cases we need foreach to explicitly call for PowerShell to step through the items.

My mission on this page is to give you simple examples on how to master the PowerShell foreach loop.  As you become more proficient in PowerShell, so the instructions grow in complexity.

Topics for PowerShell's Foreach Loop

• Examples of the PowerShell Foreach Loop
• Example 1: PowerShell Foreach Pure Math
• Example 2: PowerShell Foreach To Display Files
• Example 2b: Foreach Piping | Directly into a {block statement}
• Example 3: A More Complex Foreach Example
• PowerShell Foreach-Object (%)
• PowerShell 3.0 Foreach-Object

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Examples of the PowerShell Foreach Loop

Each loop interrogates an array, which is known as a collection.  During each cycle the foreach operator executes a {Statement Block}. 

Note that when working with PowerShell examples the brackets always carry hidden messages.  Observe that the (array enclosed by parenthesis brackets), while the block statement is always contained in {Curly brackets}.

One more tiny, but crucial, component of the PowerShell foreach loop is 'in'.

The secret of understanding this PowerShell loop syntax is to absorb each element of this syntax:
Foreach ($item in $array_collection) {command_block}.

Example 1: PowerShell Foreach with Pure Math

Learning Points

Note 1:  By creating these five variations, my aim is to give you both perspective and experience of the pure, but simple PowerShell foreach statement.

Note 2:  Foreach is at the start of its command line (unlike Foreach-Object).

Note 3:  PowerShell's 'Foreach' is more complex, and has more arguments than the 'for' and 'Do While' techniques for stepping through a collection of items. 

Example 2:  PowerShell Foreach to Display Files

In Example 2 we are going to transition from the explicit ($Item in Collection) {Block Statement} to:
Input stuff using Get-ChildItem, then pipe (|) the output into a {Block Statement}.

Get-ChildItem is just the vehicle for us to investigate aspects of the PowerShell foreach loop.  I chose the root of the C: drive simply because this example script will work without modification on most of computers.

Example 2a Explicit Foreach Get-ChildItem

Example 2b Foreach Piping | Directly Into the {block statement}

As usual with scripting PowerShell has dozens of techniques to achieve the same outcome.  The key difference in this example is how the foreach works with input from PowerShell's piping.  The point is that there is no need for an explicit ($Item in $Collection) clause.

Learning Points

Note 4:  To help modify my scripts to suit your project I have introduced a $Path variable.  See more on the $_. construction.

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Example 3: A More Complex Foreach Example

This pair of examples are just like the above, but introduce slightly more complex scripting.  Example 3a contains Foreach with a ($Item in Collection) clause; please contrast with example 3b which exploits the ability of foreach to receive input via the pipe (|).

Example 3b Foreach piping | directly into the {block statement}

Note 5: This example uses the same 'If clause' as example 3a, its purpose is to filter just .txt files.

Example 4: PowerShell Foreach Loop With WMI

Once again, observe the basic structure: Foreach (x in y) {script block}.  Where you have more than one drive you need a loop, in this case the foreach loop.

Basic Example

Example Incorporating Extra Maths

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Example 4: Another Simple Foreach Using Get-Process

Here is an example using Get-Process.  In essence this simple script filters the running processes.  Please feel free to modify.  Once again, note the tiny word 'in'.

PowerShell Loop Output Trick

I have not found it possible to pipe input into loops.  Obtaining output was nearly as difficult, however, I have discovered this trick to assign the output to a variable, which we can then manipulate.

Dejan Milic's Method (Better)

/\/\o\/\/'s  Method (Fantastic)

I (Guy) envy /\/\o\/\/'s ability to write tight code.  That % sign means 'foreach'. If you (readers) see anything on the internet by /\/\o\/\/, then you can be sure that it's top draw code.

For Even More Information about Foreach Loops - Check About_Foreach

PowerShell's Foreach-Object Cmdlet

The Foreach-Object cmdlet specializes in controlling loops which accept pipeline input.  One of this cmdlet's interesting features is displaying start and finish times.  It achieves this courtesy of the -begin and -end parameters.

Confusion: What adds to the confusion is that the Foreach-Object cmdlet has an alias of foreach.  My tip is watch out for the use of 'in', which is used by foreach the statement, the operator, but not by Foreach the alias for the cmdlet.  The key technical difference is the Foreach-Object does not have to be the first item in the statement, and more importantly, it accepts | (pipelining).

Example 5: PowerShell Foreach-Object Cmdlet

In addition to plain foreach, which is an operator, PowerShell has a Foreach-object cmdlet.

The purpose of this script is to interrogate the application event log.

Note 7:  The key is element is piping the $Logs into Foreach-Object, then referencing $_.message

Note 8:  You may wish to amend the values for $LogPath and $LogType.

Note 9:  Observe how the -begin and -end parameters write date stamps.

More Information on Foreach-Object

Note 10: The Foreach-Object has this alias: % (Percent sign)

Comparison of PowerShell Foreach Operator with Foreach-Object Cmdlet

It surprised me that the simple foreach operator was an order of magnitude faster than the Foreach-Object cmdlet.

Note 11: This script uses Measure-Command to compare PowerShell's two looping techniques.

Summary of PowerShell Foreach Loops

The secret of understanding the PowerShell foreach loop is to study the type of bracket.  For example when defining the constructions elements, (use parenthesis) for the condition and {use braces} for the command block.

In addition to Take the time to master loops, and thus automate your repetitive tasks.

See more PowerShell examples

• PowerShell Home   • Foreach loops   • PowerShell Foreach   • Foreach-Object cmdlet

• Syntax   • Variables   • -whatIf   • -ErrorAction   • Windows PowerShell   • PowerShell 2.0

• PowerShell Functions   • [System.Math]   • Get-Credential   • Windows 7 PowerShell 2.0

Please email me if you have a better example script.  Also please report any factual mistakes, grammatical errors or broken links, I will be happy to  correct the fault.

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Guy Recommends: WMI Monitor and It's Free! Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) is one of the hidden treasures of Microsoft operating systems. Fortunately, SolarWinds have created the Free WMI Monitor so that you can actually see and understand these gems of performance information.  Take the guess work out of which WMI counters to use for applications like Microsoft Active Directory, SQL or Exchange Server. Download your free copy of WMI Monitor

Author: Guy Thomas Copyright © 1999-2012 Computer Performance LTD All rights reserved. Please report a broken link, or an error to: