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How can I get powershell to return the correct exit code when called with the -File argument?


Powershell is returning a 0 exit code, when an error has occurred, if called with the -File argument. Which means my build is green when it shouldn't be :(

For example:

(in wtf.ps1)

$ErrorActionPreference = "Stop";   
$null.split()

(cmd)

powershell -file c:\wtf.ps1  
You cannot call a method on a null-valued expression.
At C:\wtf.ps1:3 char:12
+ $null.split <<<< ()
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidOperation: (split:String) [], ParentConta
   insErrorRecordException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : InvokeMethodOnNull


echo %errorlevel%  
0

powershell c:\wtf.ps1  
You cannot call a method on a null-valued expression.
At C:\wtf.ps1:3 char:12
+ $null.split <<<< ()
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidOperation: (split:String) [], ParentConta
   insErrorRecordException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : InvokeMethodOnNull


echo %errorlevel%  
1

Any ideas?

(I've tried pretty much every idea from the first 2 pages of this: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=powershell+file+argument+exit+code already)


Solution

  • In the script, use the exit keyword with a number of your choice:

    exit 34
    

    Here's the script I used to test this:

    ## D:\Scripts\Temp\exit.ps1 ##
    try{
        $null.split()
    }
    catch
    {
        exit 34
    }
    
    exit 2
    #############################
    
    # launch powershell from cmd 
    C:\> powershell -noprofile -file D:\Scripts\Temp\exit.ps1
    C:\>echo %errorlevel%
    34