PowerShell Basics: How to Create a Function

PowerShell Basics_ How to Create a Function

How to Create a PowerShell Function

Firstly, let us think about our approach to PowerShell’s functions.  Are they a tool to be used occasionally for recurring blocks of code?  Alternatively, will functions become the central methodology for every script we create?

To elaborate on what I mean, let us consider three statements from people with different scripting knowledge:

  1. Beginners say – Functions are mysterious even mythical.
  2. Intermediates state – Functions are a method of saving time when tackling repetitive tasks.
  3. Experts declare – Functions are a way of life.  They consider a function as a building block in their master plan to build scripts.

Topics for PowerShell’s Functions

Guy’s Mission

I have an aversion to using ‘Hello World’ examples.  Instead, Guy has invented a basic function to calculate batting averages.  I realise that my hybrid example may please neither cricket lovers nor baseball aficionados.  Casting aside sporting loyalties, these two scripts will get you started with PowerShell’s functions.

By using keyboard input, we are going to take two numbers and divide the first number by the second, and thus calculate the average in traditional math fashion.

Before we get down to using my Get-BatAvg Function, here are a few considerations.  PowerShell dictates a format consisting of three parts, the keyword ‘Function’, followed by a name of your choice, finally, the payload containing the script block, which is enclosed by curly, or parenthesis style brackets.  What you place inside the script block is the same code that you could execute normally outside the scope of the function.  The whole point is that you can execute this block of PowerShell code simply by typing the name of the function.

Example 1: A PowerShell Function to Calculate Baseball Averages

Here is a classic example for dissecting, fiddling, changing stuff to see what happens, and thus truly learning how functions are constructed.  I re-jigged the first script to make it more suitable for baseball.  Often, looking at two slightly different scripts gives you ‘binocular vision’, as a result you get extra insights into the techniques.

It’s good scripting technique to scope the parameters with the [String] or [Int].  Incidentally, square brackets mean optional information.

$Avg = [int]($Runs / $Outs *100)/100 simply applies some maths to display the average to two decimal places.

I wanted to introduce logic to help Americans who are thinking baseball ‘outs’, and also Englishmen who are thinking cricket ‘dismissals’.  Observe how inside the main curly brackets are {if… } and {Else… } blocks.  My hidden agenda is to make you aware that you can put all sorts of scripting ‘stuff’ inside the Process section.


# PowerShell function example script: Calculate batting average
# Author: Guy Thomas
Function Get-BatAvg {
[cmdletbinding()]
Param (
[string]$Name,
[int]$Hits, [int]$AtBats
)
# End of Parameters
 Process {
Clear-Host
"Enter Name Hits AtBats..."
$Avg = [int]($Hits / $AtBats*100)/100
if($Avg -gt 1)
{
Clear-Host
"$Name's cricket average = $Avg : $Hits Runs, $AtBats dismissals"
} # End of If
Else {
Clear-Host
"$Name's baseball average = $Avg : $Hits Hits, $AtBats AtBats"
} # End of Else.
   } # End of Process
}

Get-BatAvg -name Babe -Hits 2873 -AtBats 7530

Note 1:  Observe the relationship between declaring the param $name, and employing the parameter -name.

Note 2:  Another advantage of Param is that you can try different sequences, for example:
Get-BatAvg -AtBats 70 -hits 6999 -name Babe.  (Default order -Name -Hits -AtBats)

Note 3:  The If… Else logic assumes that cricket averages are greater than one, but baseball averages are less than one.

Note 4:  Please pay close attention to the type of bracket.  Also ‘Single’ or “double” quotes are highly significant.

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Example 2: A Function to Calculate A Cricket Batting Average

From a learning point of view, I wanted to show how there are numerous styles for creating Windows PowerShell functions.  (I prefer example 1 above).

The point of this script is to create a function called Get-BatAvg which calculates a batsman’s average.  You need to supply three parameters, a name, the number of runs, and the number of dismissals.  My default settings are for the English game of cricket, however, for baseball, you could modify the Param $outs to $AtBats, and $runs to $Hits.


# Microsoft PowerShell script to create a simple function
# Author: Guy Thomas
Function Get-BatAvg{
Param ($Name, $Runs, $Outs)
$Avg = [int]($Runs / $Outs*100)/100
Write-Output "$Name's Average = $Avg, $Runs, $Outs"
}

Get-BatAvg Bradman 6996 70

Note 5:  The last line calls for the function Get-BatAvg and inputs the three parameters.  It would make my day if you altered the name ‘Bradman’ and then used two different numbers instead of 6996 and 70.

Note 6:  Each param is separated by a comma.

Note 7:  When you explicitly declare with param, it must be the very first word inside the curly bracket.

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Example 3: Researching the Primary Key for a WMI Class

Here is a completely different function example, which is nothing to do with batting averages.  In this case we need a specialist function that displays the primary key for a particular WMI Class.


# Function to Discover WMI Primary Keys
Clear-Host
Function  Get-WmiKey {
$Class = [WmiClass]$args[0]
$Class.Properties | `
Select @{Name="PName";Expression={$_.name}} -Expand Qualifiers | `
Where {$_.Name -eq "key"} | `
foreach {$_.Pname}
}

Get-WmiKey Win32_LogicalDisk

Note 8:  The whole point of creating this function is that you can substitute any WMI class for Win32_LogicalDisk.

Note 9:  See more on the use of this function with WMI [TYPE]

More Help For Creating PowerShell Functions

When you invest time in creating PowerShell functions, the benefits are as follows: firstly, you can repeat the block of code easily and reliably by calling the Function’s name again and again.  Secondly, you can introduce parameters which modify the code, for example, to change a name or a numeric value within the code block.

In PowerShell, learning about the ‘function’ command is easy; to get started type these words at the command line:


Clear-Host
Get-Help about_Function

Note 10:  That’s an underscore not a dash, also appreciate that ‘function’ is singular.

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Example 4: PowerShell Function to Sum an Array

A popular quiz question is, ‘What’s the total of all the numbers on a roulette wheel?’  Here is a solution using a PowerShell function.


$x = 1..100
Function Get-Sum ($a) {
Return ($a | Measure-Object -Sum).Sum
}

Get-Sum (1..36)

Incidentally, my friend ‘Mad’ Mick solved the problem with pencil and paper using a complex formula:

It simplifies to: (36 * 18) +18 = 666.

See more on PowerShell functions »

Summary of PowerShell’s Functions

Scripting functions are like macros, they replay your commands.  In the case of PowerShell, you could also make functions the rational, framework or building-block for creating your scripts.  When you get down to creating functions it reinforces knowledge of parameters.  My subsidiary reason for explaining functions in this ezine is to reinforce the importance of employing the correct type of bracket, and paying attention to single and double quotes.

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See More Windows PowerShell Examples Functions

Scripting PowerShell Function   • PowerShell Create Shortcut   • PowerShell Function Shortcut

PowerShell Tutorials  • PowerShell Temp  • PowerShell Get-Item Env:  • Clear-WinEvent Function

Create PowerShell Function  • PowerShell Examples  • PowerShell Function Format DiskSize

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.