5 Big Mistakes To Avoid While Writing A Powershell Script

For some people, the complexities of Powershell may present hurdles to diving in head first and getting it done. Other times, you might want an experienced Powershell developer to do your scripting for you. Whatever your motivation, check out these five mistakes that almost everyone would make in their scripting before running a single line on their own.

Mistake 1: Never use process blocking

One of the biggest mistakes you can make while writing a PowerShell script is to use process blocking. This means that your script will wait for one process to finish before it moves on to the next.

This can cause your script to run slowly and can even lead to errors. Instead, you should use non-blocking methods so that your script can run more smoothly.

Another mistake that people often make is to write PowerShell scripts that are too long and complicated. If your script is too difficult to understand, it will be more likely to cause errors.

Keep your scripts simple and easy to understand. The easier they are to read, the less likely you are to make mistakes.

Mistake 2: Never name a variable the same as another variable

A big mistake people make when writing a PowerShell script is naming a variable the same as another variable. This can cause major problems down the road, so it’s important to avoid this at all costs.

For example, let’s say you have two variables, $a and $b. If you accidentally name one of them $A, it will completely mess up your code. Not only will this cause confusion, but it can also lead to errors.

To avoid this mistake, always make sure to use descriptive names for your variables. This way, you’ll be able to keep track of them easily and avoid any potential issues.

Mistake 3: Encapsulate your code

One of the most important things you can do when writing a PowerShell script is to encapsulate your code. By this, we mean wrapping your code in functions and/or modules.

Not only does this make your code more readable and easier to follow, but it also makes it much easier to reuse. If you have a piece of code that you know you’ll need to use multiple times, it’s much simpler to just call a function than to copy/paste the code every time you need it.

Additionally, by encapsulating your code you can more easily control access to it. For example, if you have a function that connects to a database, you might not want to give everyone who has access to your script the ability to run that function. By putting the function in a module, you can control who has access to it.

Mistake 4: Never use non-escaped variables in strings

One of the most common mistakes PowerShell beginners make is not escaping their variables properly when writing strings. This can lead to some nasty errors, especially if your variable contains special characters.

To properly escape a variable in a string, you need to use the `$()` syntax. For example, let’s say you have a variable called `$myvar` that contains the value ` Powershell is great!`. If you try to use this variable in a string without escaping it, you’ll get an error:

				
					PS> "Powershell is $myvar"
    The string starting:
    At line:1 character:18
    + "Powershell is $myvar"
        + CategoryInfo          : ParserError: (:) [], ParentContainsErrorRecordException
        + FullyQualifiedErrorId : VariableIsNotEscaped
				
			

To fix this, you need to escape the `$` character by wrapping your variable in `$()`:

				
					PS> "Powershell is $(myvar)"
    Powershell is Powershell is great!
				
			

Mistake 5: For loops are often misunderstood

When it comes to looping in PowerShell, there are a few different options. The most commonly used loop is the For loop. However, this type of loop is often misunderstood.

One common mistake that people make with For loops is using them to iterate through arrays. This is not the correct way to use this type of loop. Instead, you should use a Foreach loop.

Another mistake that people make is using a For loop when they only need to run a command once. This is unnecessary and can actually slow down your script.

There are other looping options available in PowerShell, so be sure to explore all of them before settling on a particular one.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are a few big mistakes to avoid while writing a PowerShell script. First, make sure to include comments in your code so that others can understand what you are doing. Second, use proper indentation and formatting so that your code is easy to read. Finally, test your code before you release it to the public. By following these simple tips, you can avoid common errors and write more reliable PowerShell scripts.

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