Write-Debug

Syntax

Write-Debug
     [-Message] <String>
     [<CommonParameters>]

Description

The Write-Debug cmdlet writes debug messages to the console 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

PS C:\> Write-Debug "Cannot open file."

This command writes a debug message. Because the value of $DebugPreference is SilentlyContinue, the message is not displayed in the console.

Example 2: Use the Debug parameter to override $DebugPreference

PS C:\> $DebugPreference

SilentlyContinue

PS C:\> Write-Debug "Cannot open file."

PS C:\>

PS C:\> Write-Debug "Cannot open file." -Debug

DEBUG: Cannot open file.

This example shows how to use the Debug common parameter to override the value of the $DebugPreference variable for a particular command.

The first command displays the value of the $DebugPreference variable, which is SilentlyContinue, the default.

The second command writes a debug message but, because of the value of $DebugPreference, the message does not appear.

The third command writes a debug message. It uses the Debug common parameter to override the value of $DebugPreference and to display the debug messages resulting from this command.

As a result, even though the value of $DebugPreference is SilentlyContinue, the debug message appears.

For more information about the Debug common parameter, see about_CommonParameters.

Example 3: Change the value of $DebugPreference

PS C:\> $DebugPreference

SilentlyContinue

PS C:\> Write-Debug "Cannot open file."

PS C:\>

PS C:\> $DebugPreference = "Continue"

PS C:\> Write-Debug "Cannot open file."

DEBUG: Cannot open file.

This command shows the effect of changing the value of the $DebugPreference variable on the display of debug messages.

The first command displays the value of the $DebugPreference variable, which is SilentlyContinue, the default.

The second command writes a debug message but, because of the value of $DebugPreference, the message does not appear.

The third command assigns a value of Continue to the $DebugPreference variable.

The fourth command writes a debug message, which appears on the console.

For more information about $DebugPreference, see about_Preference_Variables.

Required Parameters

Inputs

System.String

You can pipe a string that contains a debug message to Write-Debug .

Outputs

None

Write-Debug writes only to the debug stream. It does not return any output.

Related Links

• Write-Error
• Write-Host
• Write-Output
• Write-Progress
• Write-Verbose
• Write-Warning