Handle a terminating error (exception).
Syntax
trap [[error_type]] {statement_list}
Key
error_type The terminating error to trap, requires [brackets].
statement_list A scriptblock of code to be run.
The Trap statement includes a list of statements to run when a terminating error occurs.
By default, this will trap any terminating error or optionally you may specify an error type.
A script or command can have multiple Trap statements. Trap statements can appear anywhere in the script or command.
The common PowerShell option -SilentlyContinue will cause any Throw statement to be completely ignored. This can be mitigated by using Try/Catch or by adding a trap {} statement to trap the error.
Use the Break and Continue keywords in a Trap statement to determine whether a script or command will continue to run after a terminating error.
A Break statement within a Trap statement will stop the function or script:
{ trap {"Error trapped"; break;}
A Continue statement within a Trap statement will resume execution after the statement that caused the error, just as it would without Break or Continue.
{ trap {"Error trapped"; continue;}
A simple trap that will trap any terminating error and display the error by using the $_ automatic variable, in this example we call a non-existent function ('thiswontwork') to force an error:
function TrapTest {
trap {"Error found: $_"}
thiswontwork
}
PS C:\> TrapTest
Error found: The term 'thiswontwork' is not recognized as the name
of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program. Check the
spelling of the name, or if a path was included verify that the path
is correct, and then try again.
The error message above is edited for brevity, the native error string will also display in red on the command line.
"When elephant steps on a trap, no more trap" ~ African proverb
Try ... Catch - Handle a terminating error within a scriptblock
about_Try_Catch_Finally