Write-Debug
Writes a debug message to the console.
Syntax
Write-Debug
[-Message] <String>
[<CommonParameters>]
Description
The Write-Debug
cmdlet writes debug messages to the host from a script or command.
By default, debug messages are not displayed in the console, but you can display them by using the
Debug parameter or the $DebugPreference
variable.
Examples
Example 1: Understand $DebugPreference
This example writes a debug message.
Write-Debug "Cannot open file."
The default value of $DebugPreference
is SilentlyContinue. Therefore, the message is not
displayed in the console.
Example 2: Change the value of $DebugPreference
This example shows the effect of changing the value of the $DebugPreference
variable. First, we
display the current value of $DebugPreference
and attempt to write a debug message. Then we change
the value of $DebugPreference
to Continue, which allows debug messages to be displayed.
PS> $DebugPreference
SilentlyContinue
PS> Write-Debug "Cannot open file."
PS>
PS> $DebugPreference = "Continue"
PS> Write-Debug "Cannot open file."
DEBUG: Cannot open file.
For more information about $DebugPreference
, see
about_Preference_Variables.
Example 3: Use the Debug parameter to override $DebugPreference
The Test-Debug
function writes the value of the $DebugPreference
variable to the PowerShell host
and to the Debug stream. In this example, we use the Debug parameter to override the
$DebugPreference
value.
function Test-Debug {
[CmdletBinding()]
param()
Write-Debug ('$DebugPreference is ' + $DebugPreference)
Write-Host ('$DebugPreference is ' + $DebugPreference)
}
PS> Test-Debug
$DebugPreference is SilentlyContinue
PS> Test-Debug -Debug
DEBUG: $DebugPreference is Continue
$DebugPreference is Continue
PS> $DebugPreference
SilentlyContinue
Notice that the value of $DebugPreference
changes when you use the Debug parameter. This
change only affects the scope of the function. The value is not affected outside the function.
For more information about the Debug common parameter, see about_CommonParameters.
Parameters
-Message
Specifies the debug message to send to the console.
Type: | String |
Aliases: | Msg |
Position: | 0 |
Default value: | None |
Required: | True |
Accept pipeline input: | True |
Accept wildcard characters: | False |
Inputs
You can pipe a string that contains a debug message to this cmdlet.
Outputs
None
This cmdlet returns no output. It only writes to the debug stream.
Related Links
PowerShell