PowerShell Basics Part 3: What is '$_' ?

In this video, we dive into the basics of PowerShell, specifically focusing on the $_ symbol. These are essential when working with objects in a pipeline, especially when processing arrays or handling errors in a try-catch block. Whether you're new to PowerShell or brushing up on the basics, this tutorial will help you understand how these elements work and why they’re so important.

📘 Topics Covered:

What is $_ in PowerShell?
How to use $_ with arrays in a pipeline
Practical examples with try-catch blocks

⏱ Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction: What the heck is $ and $_?
00:04 - PowerShell Basics Part 3
00:07 - Explaining $ in the pipeline
00:20 - Using $_ in array processing
00:30 - Building and populating an array with numbers 1 to 100
01:00 - Using VS Code to highlight and run PowerShell commands
01:45 - Debugging and using breakpoints to inspect $
02:40 - Changing the console output with colors in PowerShell
03:50 - Using $_ in a more complex example
04:54 - Practical example with try-catch blocks
06:10 - Using $_ in error handling

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[brainsbrains]

Amazing bite sized nuggets of knowledge. Each of your basics videos have taught me something valuable. I skipped PowerShell fundamentals, copying scripts from the Internet, making small changes to fit my needs. I've used $_ plenty of times to iterate through CSV files and understood basically what it was doing in the ForEach. This video helped moved that from vague understanding to actual knowledge. My favorite nugget in this one, though, is the error object and its elements that we can examine and act on. Thanks.