Associative Array - how to return mapped values?

Hello PowerShellers,

How do I return a mapped value from an associative array?

I have this books.csv file:

ID,Author,Title
1,"Dr Seuss",Sneetches
2,Collins,"Good to Great"
3,Bolles,"What Color is Your Parachute"

Using PowerShell Import-csv cmdlet, I need to return the Title "Good to
Great" for ID=2. Here is my attempt:

PS C:\> $books = Import-CSV books.csv # populates the associate array
PS C:\> $books # everything looks good
PS C:\> Write-Host $books.2 # gives an error
PS C:\> Write-Host $books[2] # returns the 3rd record on
Bolles
PS C:\> Write-Host $books[2].Author # returns Bolles, not Collins

So, how do I query the associative array for ID=2 and return either the
Author or Title property?

Thanks for the help,

Jeff Jensen

In PowerShell arrays are zero based.

# filter the objects on a property that has a known value:
$books | where-object {$_.title -match 'Good to Great'}

# if you know the element's index and property
$books[1].title

# to view the elements members
$books | get-member

# to view the collection members
get-member -input $books

# or...
,$books | get-member


--
Kiron

The Microsoft TechNet article - What Can I Do With Windows PowerShell? Using
the Import-Csv cmdlet
(http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scr...mport-csv.mspx) shows how to select a record using the Where-Object

PS C:\> $books | Where-Object {$_.Author -eq "Collins"} # returns record

but I still have the problem on how to just return the a single value or
column in the .csv file.

Also, I had no luck find the answer in the help file:
Get-Help about_Associative_Array

Thanks,

Jeff Jensen

"Jeffery Jensen" wrote:

Sorry Jeff, I missed last part of your post.

# psObjects (header and value)
$books | ? {$_.id -eq 2} | select author
$books | ? {$_.id -eq 2} | select author, title

# just values
$books | ? {$_.id -eq 2} | % {$_.author}
$books | ? {$_.id -eq 2} | % {$_.title}

# Write-Host only outputs to the console
$test1 = $books | ? {$_.id -eq 2} | % {write-host $_.author - $_.title}
# although you see the output $test is $null
$test1 -eq $null
$test1

# using string expansion and subexpression to
# output a string object, the object is assigned to $test2
# no output to the console
$test2 = $books | ? {$_.id -eq 2} | % {"$($_.author) - $($_.title)"}
$test2 -eq $null
$test2

--
Kiron

Glad to help.

--
Kiron