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SatheeshJM
SatheeshJM

Reputation: 3643

How do I use a variable from one session (a Powershell ISE tab) in another?

Here is a barebones code of what I am trying to achieve..

$destinationDir = "subdir1"   

#creating tab     
$newTab = $psise.PowerShellTabs.Add()
Do 
   {sleep -m 100}
While (!$newTab.CanInvoke)


#running required script in tab 
$newTab.Invoke({ cd $destinationDir})

Since $destinationDir is initialized in the parent tab, its scope is limited to it and I get the following error in the child tab

cd : Cannot process argument because the value of argument "path" is null. Change the value of argument "path" to a non-null value.

How do I overcome this and use the value in the child tab?

Upvotes: 3

Views: 1212

Answers (1)

Jan Chrbolka
Jan Chrbolka

Reputation: 4454

Short answer: You can't. Each tab in PowerShell ISE is created with a new runspace. There is no method provided, for injecting variables into this runspace.

Long answer: There are always workarounds. Here are two.

1. Use the invoke script-block to transfer the variable to the new runspace:

$destinationDir = "subdir1"
#creating tab     
$newTab = $psise.PowerShellTabs.Add()
Do 
   {sleep -m 100}
While (!$newTab.CanInvoke)

$scriptblock = "`$destinationDir = `"$($destinationDir)`" 
cd `$destinationDir"

#running required script in tab 
$newTab.Invoke($scriptblock)

2. Use en environmental variable:

$env:destinationDir = "subdir1"   

#creating tab
$newTab = $psise.PowerShellTabs.Add()
Do 
   {sleep -m 100}
While (!$newTab.CanInvoke)

#running required script in tab 
$newTab.Invoke({ cd $env:destinationDir})

Upvotes: 2

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