Professional Windows® PowerShell for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1

Part I: PowerShell for Exchange Fundamentals

48

Using Variables, Aliases, and Functions

Windows PowerShell provides the ability to create user - defined command elements and store them in

memory to make entering and running commands easier.

Variables

Windows PowerShell variables are basically named objects that you can use later in another command.

Variable names begin with the

$ character followed by any combination of alphanumeric characters. To

create a variable simply enter the name at the command line. The variable is created but no value is

assigned. To assign a value to a variable, enter the name followed by the equality symbol (

= ) and the

value. The value can be a literal value such as an integer or string value, or it can be the results of a

cmdlet. For example, to create a variable called

$exservers and assign it the value of all Exchange

servers in the organization, use the following command:

[PS] C:\ > $exservers = Get-ExchangeServer

Notice there is no feedback to indicate the command completed successfully. There is no feedback unless

the command fails. To see the values stored in the variable, simply enter the name:

[PS] C:\ > $exservers

Name Site ServerRole Edition AdminDisplayVe

rsion

---- ---- ---------- ------- --------------

MB001 Default-First-Sit... Mailbox,... Standard... Version 8.0...

Typing the name of the variable $exservers results in the ...