What does [byte[]]$bytes = 0..65535|%{0} mean in powershell ?

Question

I want add some powershell code in python,but meet '%{0}'in powershell when I use format function，then can't compile python.So I want to know the mean to change my code

Answer 1

The double dot .. is a range constructor. 0..65535 will return an array of integers from 0 to 65535. The percent sign after a pipe |% is shorthand for foreach-object after the pipe.

In this case, your powershell function

[byte[]]$bytes = 0..65535|%{0}

Creates an array called bytes of type byte that has 65536 zeros for its values.

If you are trying to call this from Python using the string format function, then your will need to escape the curly brackets by doubling them. For instance, if you wanted to use Python to adjust the variable name, you would use:

# in Python:
powershell_cmd = '[byte[]]${} = 0..65535|%{{0}}'.format('bytes')