Variable creation with $ in PowerShell - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

💻 Command Output

intermediate

What is the output of this PowerShell code?

Consider the following script:

$name = "Alice"
Write-Output $name

What will be printed when this script runs?

PowerShell

$name = "Alice"
Write-Output $name

A Write-Output Alice

B $name

C Alice

D Error: Variable not defined

💡 Hint

Variables in PowerShell start with $. The Write-Output command prints the value of the variable.

The variable $name holds the string "Alice". Write-Output prints the value stored in $name, so it outputs Alice.

📝 Syntax

intermediate

Which option correctly creates a variable with the value 10?

In PowerShell, you want to create a variable named $count with the number 10. Which line is correct?

A $count := 10

B $count = 10

C count = $10

D let $count = 10

💡 Hint

PowerShell uses = to assign values to variables starting with $.

In PowerShell, variables start with $ and assignment uses =. So $count = 10 is correct.

🔧 Debug

advanced

What error does this code produce?

Look at this script:

name = "Bob"
Write-Output $name

What error will occur when running it?

PowerShell

name = "Bob"
Write-Output $name

A Error: Variable 'name' is not recognized because it lacks $

B Outputs: Bob

C Error: Write-Output is not a recognized command

D Outputs: $name

💡 Hint

In PowerShell, variables must start with $.

The variable 'name' is assigned without $, so PowerShell treats it as a command or string, causing an error when $name is used.

🚀 Application

advanced

How many variables are created after running this script?

Consider this script:

$a = 5
$b = $a
$c = $b + 10

How many variables exist after running it?

PowerShell

$a = 5
$b = $a
$c = $b + 10

A 1

B 0

C 2

D 3

💡 Hint

Each line creates or assigns a variable starting with $.

Variables $a, $b, and $c are all created and assigned values, so there are 3 variables.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

Which option best describes variable naming rules in PowerShell?

Choose the correct statement about variable names in PowerShell.

A Variable names must start with $ and can include letters, numbers, and underscores; they are case-insensitive.

B Variable names must start with $ and only contain letters; numbers are not allowed.

C Variable names can start with any character and are case-sensitive.

D Variable names must start with a letter or underscore and are case-insensitive.

💡 Hint

Remember that $ is part of the variable name syntax in PowerShell.

In PowerShell, variables start with $, can include letters, numbers, and underscores, and are case-insensitive.