Start-Process passing a hashtable in the ArgumentList

Question

Consider the following situation:

Content MyScript.ps1:

Param (
    [String]$CountryCode,
    [String]$FilesPath,
    [String]$KeepassDatabase,
    [String]$KeepassKeyFile,
    [String]$EventLog = 'HCScripts',
    [String]$EventSource,
    [HashTable]$CitrixFarm = @{'Server1' = '6.5'}
)

$CountryCode
$FilesPath
$KeepassDatabase
$KeepassKeyFile
$EventLog
$EventSource
$CitrixFarm

Content of the Caller.ps1:

Param (
    $FilesPath = ".\MyScript.ps1",
    $EvenntLog = 'Test',
    $CountryCode = 'BNL',
    $KeepasDatabase,
    $KeepasKeyFile
)

$Arguments = @()
$Arguments += "-EventSource ""$AppName"""
$Arguments += "-EventLog ""$EventLog"""
$Arguments += "-FilesPath ""$((Get-Item $FilesPath).FullName)"""
$Arguments += "-CountryCode ""$CountryCode"""
$Arguments += "-KeepassDatabase ""$((Get-Item $KeepasDatabase).FullName)"""
$Arguments += "-KeepassKeyFile ""$((Get-Item $KeepasKeyFile).FullName)"""
$Arguments += "-CitrixFarm $CitrixFarm"

$StartParams = @{
    Credential   = $Credentials
    ArgumentList = "-File ""$ScriptPath"" -verb runas" + $Arguments
    WindowStyle  = 'Hidden'
}
Start-Process powershell @StartParams

We can't seem to find a way to pass in the [HashTable] for the argument $CitrixFarm. How is it possible to add that argument. or pass it on to the script called by Start-Process with elevated permissions and in a new PowerShell session?

When omitting the parameter $CitrixFarm all is working fine. So the problem really is with passing the HashTable.

@Bill_Stewart I understand that it does, but does he need it? Why is he trying to start a different powershell process if he doesn't need to? — Maximilian Burszley, May 23 '18 at 14:31
You need to convert the hashtable back to its PowerShell object notation [using a function](https://www.sapien.com/blog/2014/10/21/a-better-tostring-method-for-hash-tables/). — Dan Wilson, May 23 '18 at 14:31
What is the `$CitrixFarm` parameter's argument supposed to look like on the command line? — Bill_Stewart, May 23 '18 at 14:32
@Bill_Stewart The `$CitrixFarm` parameter is a simple hashtable like `-CitrixFarm @{'ServerName1' = 'XenApp 7.15'}` — DarkLite1, May 24 '18 at 07:06
@DanWilson your answer is the only answer that works. Apparently the `ArgumentList` of `Start-Process` can only accept `[String]` objects. If you put your answer, I'll mark it as solved. Thank you :) — DarkLite1, May 24 '18 at 07:31
I umderstand that. But you want to convert it to `[String]`. What is that supposed to look like? — Bill_Stewart, May 24 '18 at 12:40

Dan Wilson · Accepted Answer · 2018-05-24T13:06:47.893

You should pass the hashtable in PowerShell object notation, just as you would if running the script from a PowerShell window.

How you construct the string is up to you.

You could

use a string template
use a quick-and-dirty call "@$((ConvertTo-Json $CitrixFarm -Compress) -replace ':','=')"
use a function to convert the hashtable object.

Below is effectively what you are trying to achieve.

$Arguments = @()
...
$Arguments += "-CitrixFarm @{'Server1' = '6.5'}"

$StartParams = @{
    Credential   = $Credentials
    ArgumentList = "-File ""$ScriptPath"" -verb runas" + $Arguments
    WindowStyle  = 'Hidden'
}
Start-Process powershell @StartParams

Source: A Better ToString() Method for Hash Tables

Start-Process passing a hashtable in the ArgumentList

1 Answers1

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