Command Line Argument Types

I am retrieveing command line arguments passed to a PS1 script. I find that:

a. ./myscript 5 $args[0].GetType() gives Int32
b. ./myscript -5 $args[0].GetType() gives String
c. ./myscript (-5) $args[0].GetType() gives Int32

Is this how it is supposed to work?

Thanks

On Wed, 20 Dec 2006 17:58:01 -0800, John Smith
<JohnSmith@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> I am retrieveing command line arguments passed to a PS1 script. I find that:
>
> a. ./myscript 5 $args[0].GetType() gives Int32
> b. ./myscript -5 $args[0].GetType() gives String
> c. ./myscript (-5) $args[0].GetType() gives Int32
>
> Is this how it is supposed to work?

Interesting, I didn't know that.

It's the same with functions, but I suppose most people would use the
parentheses there out of habit and never notice it:

function testit($arg){ $arg.GetType() }


testit 5

IsPublic IsSerial Name BaseType
-------- -------- ---- --------
True True Int32 System.ValueType


testit -5

IsPublic IsSerial Name BaseType
-------- -------- ---- --------
True True String System.Object


testit (-5)

IsPublic IsSerial Name BaseType
-------- -------- ---- --------
True True Int32 System.ValueType

"Lucvdv" <replace_name@null.net> wrote in message
news:h56lo2h8vqnfe9tfs9nh0jgbv95ns967lk@4ax.com...
<...>
> It's the same with functions, but I suppose most people would use the
> parentheses there out of habit and never notice it:

Not a good habit. Be careful with parentheses when you pass arguments to
functions. Parentheses mean that you are passing everything they enclose as
*one* argument that will be evaluated as an expression:

PS> function testarg {
>> "`$args[0]: $($args[0])"
>> "`$args[1]: $($args[1])"
>> }
>>
PS> testarg (1,5)
$args[0]: 1 5
$args[1]:
PS> testarg (1 5)
Unexpected token '5' in expression or statement.
At line:1 char:13
+ testarg (1 5) <<<<
PS> testarg 1 5
$args[0]: 1
$args[1]: 5

Jacques

"Jacques Barathon [MS]" <jbaratho@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:eK7YNUUJHHA.3668@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> "Lucvdv" <replace_name@null.net> wrote in message
> news:h56lo2h8vqnfe9tfs9nh0jgbv95ns967lk@4ax.com...
> <...>
>> It's the same with functions, but I suppose most people would use the
>> parentheses there out of habit and never notice it:
>
> Not a good habit. Be careful with parentheses when you pass arguments to
> functions. Parentheses mean that you are passing everything they enclose
> as *one* argument that will be evaluated as an expression:

I *still* get bit by that one from time to time. It might be easier to
remember not to use the parens on the call if it weren't for the fact that
when calling .NET methods you have to use parens (well at least the call
works as expected if you do).

--
Keith

"Keith Hill [MVP]" <r_keith_hill@mailhot.moc.nospam> wrote in message
news:uU750zdJHHA.4760@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
<...>
> I *still* get bit by that one from time to time. It might be easier to
> remember not to use the parens on the call if it weren't for the fact that
> when calling .NET methods you have to use parens (well at least the call
> works as expected if you do).

Calling any method of any object always requires parens:

"hello".replace "h","c" >> won't work

Jacques