Break - PowerShell

Overview

The Break command in PowerShell is used to terminate the execution of the current loop or switch statement immediately. It is primarily useful for exiting loops prematurely based on certain conditions or user input.

Syntax

Break

Options/Flags

The Break command has no options or flags.

Examples

Example 1: Exiting a ForEach loop

ForEach ($item in $items) {
    If ($item -eq "Stop") {
        Break
    }
}

Example 2: Exiting a Do-While loop

Do {
    Write-Host "Current loop iteration"
} Until (Break)

Common Issues

• Accidental Break: Using Break outside of a loop or switch statement will result in an error.
• Infinite Loops: If Break is not properly placed within a loop, it can lead to infinite loops.

Integration

Break can be combined with other PowerShell commands or tools to create custom scripts or workflows. For example:

# Exit a ForEach loop after processing 5 items
ForEach ($item in $items) {
    If ($index -gt 4) {
        Break
    }
    $index++
}

Related Commands

• Exit – Exits the PowerShell session.
• Continue – Skips the remaining statements in the current iteration of a loop.