about_Output_Streams

Short description

Explains the availability and purpose of output streams in PowerShell.

Long description

PowerShell provides multiple output streams. The streams provide channels for different types of messages. You can write to these streams using the associated cmdlet or redirection. For more information, see about_Redirection.

PowerShell supports the following output streams.

Stream # Description Introduced in Write Cmdlet
1 Success stream PowerShell 2.0 Write-Output
2 Error stream PowerShell 2.0 Write-Error
3 Warning stream PowerShell 2.0 Write-Warning
4 Verbose stream PowerShell 2.0 Write-Verbose
5 Debug stream PowerShell 2.0 Write-Debug
6 Information stream PowerShell 5.0 Write-Information
n/a Progress stream PowerShell 2.0 Write-Progress

Note

The Progress stream doesn't support redirection.

Success stream

The Success stream is the default stream for normal, successful results. Use the Write-Output cmdlet to explicitly write objects to this stream. This stream is used for passing objects through the PowerShell pipeline. The Success stream is connected to the stdout stream for native applications.

Error stream

The Error stream is the default stream for error results. Use the Write-Error cmdlet to explicitly write to this stream. The Error stream is connected to the stderr stream for native applications. Under most conditions, these errors can terminate the execution pipeline. Errors written to this stream are also added to the $Error automatic variable. For more information, see about_Automatic_Variables.

Warning stream

The Warning stream is intended for error conditions that are less severe than errors written to the Error stream. Under normal conditions, these warnings don't terminate execution. Warnings aren't written to the $Error automatic variable. Use the Write-Warning cmdlet to explicitly write to this stream.

Verbose stream

The Verbose stream is intended for messages that help users troubleshoot commands as they're run interactively or from a script. Use the Write-Verbose cmdlet to explicitly write messages to this stream. Many cmdlets provide verbose output that's useful for understanding the internal workings of the cmdlet. The verbose messages are output only when you use the -Verbose common parameter. For more information, see about_CommonParameters.

Debug stream

The Debug stream is used for messages that help scripters understand why their code is failing. Use the Write-Debug cmdlet to explicitly write to this stream. The debug messages are output only when you use the -Debug common parameter. For more information, see about_CommonParameters.

Debug messages are intended for script and cmdlet developers more than end users. These debug messages can contain internal details necessary for deep troubleshooting.

Information stream

The Information stream is intended to provide messages that help a user understand what a script is doing. It can also be used by developers as an additional stream used to pass information through PowerShell. The developer can tag stream data and have specific handling for that stream. Use the Write-Information cmdlet to explicitly write to this stream.

Write-Host also writes to the Information stream. The difference between the cmdlets is that Write-Host also writes to the host console unless you redirect the Information stream. Write-Information only writes to the Information stream.

Progress stream

The Progress stream is used for messages that communicate progress in longer running commands and scripts. Use the Write-Progress cmdlet to explicitly write messages to this stream. The Progress stream doesn't support redirection.

See also