Return values in PowerShell - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

💻 Command Output

intermediate

What is the output of this PowerShell function call?

Consider the following PowerShell function and its call. What will be the output?

PowerShell

function Get-Sum {
  param($a, $b)
  return $a + $b
}
Get-Sum 3 4

A Error: Missing return value

B 3 4

C 7

D 34

💡 Hint

Remember that return outputs the result of the expression.

The function adds two numbers and returns the sum. Calling Get-Sum 3 4 returns 7.

💻 Command Output

intermediate

What does this PowerShell script output?

What is the output of this script?

PowerShell

function Test-Return {
  Write-Output "Start"
  return "Returned Value"
  Write-Output "End"
}
Test-Return

A

Start
End

B

Start
Returned Value

C

Returned Value
End

D

Start
Returned Value
End

💡 Hint

Return stops the function immediately.

The function writes "Start", then returns "Returned Value" and stops. "End" is never printed.

📝 Syntax

advanced

Which option correctly returns multiple values from a PowerShell function?

You want a function to return multiple values as an array. Which code does this correctly?

PowerShell

function Get-Values {
  # Return multiple values here
}

A return 1, 2, 3

B return @(1, 2, 3)

C return [1, 2, 3]

D return {1, 2, 3}

💡 Hint

PowerShell can return multiple objects separated by commas.

Using commas returns multiple objects. @(...) creates an array but return 1,2,3 returns three objects which PowerShell collects as an array.

🔧 Debug

advanced

Why does this function not return the expected value?

This function is supposed to return the square of a number but returns nothing. Why?

PowerShell

function Get-Square {
  param($x)
  $x * $x
}
$result = Get-Square 5
Write-Output $result

A Because PowerShell functions return the last output automatically, so it should work.

B Because the expression $x * $x is not outputted or returned.

C Because the function lacks an explicit return statement.

D Because the function parameter is missing a type declaration.

💡 Hint

PowerShell functions output the last expression automatically.

PowerShell functions return the output of the last expression automatically, so $x * $x is returned without needing 'return'.

🚀 Application

expert

What is the output of this PowerShell script with multiple return statements?

Analyze this script and select the output it produces.

PowerShell

function Test-MultiReturn {
  param($val)
  if ($val -lt 5) {
    return "Less than 5"
  } elseif ($val -eq 5) {
    return "Equal to 5"
  }
  return "Greater than 5"
}
Test-MultiReturn 5

A Less than 5

B Greater than 5

C No output

D Equal to 5

💡 Hint

Check the condition that matches the input value.

The input is 5, so the elseif condition matches and returns "Equal to 5".