The most common DataTypes used in PowerShell are listed below
[string] Fixed-length string of Unicode characters [char] A Unicode 16-bit character [byte] An 8-bit unsigned character [int] 32-bit signed integer [long] 64-bit signed integer [bool] Boolean True/False value [decimal] A 128-bit decimal value [single] Single-precision 32-bit floating point number [double] Double-precision 64-bit floating point number [DateTime] Date and Time [xml] Xml object [array] An array of values [hashtable] Hashtable object
Powershell has two built in variables $true and $false for displaying the true and false boolean values.
There is also [void] casting an expression to the void datatype will effectively discard it (like redirecting to $null)
To force a conversion to a specific datatype, prefix the value or variable with the type in square brackets, this is known as a Cast Operator and forces the chosen datatype:
PS C:\> [int]"0064"
PS C:\> [int]$false
If you cast a fractional value to an integer, PowerShell will Round() the result, to strip off all decimals behind the decimal point, use Truncate() from the .NET Math library
To test the datatype of a value use a comparison operator:
PS C:\> 32 -is [int] -> true PS C:\> $true -is [bool] -> true
In addition to the above, if you are using other .NET classes then you can use those datatypes too.
“Character is what we do when no one's looking” - Bill Hybels
Related:
Variables and Operators - Create, add, subtract, divide.
DateTime formats
Get-Item Variable:
Get-Variable
