PowerShell copy an array completely

Question

I\'m trying to create a complete copy of an existing array. Every time I try this it doesn\'t seem to work. The thing is that I\'m modifying the Object names inside the new

Answer 1

If you're copying an array of objects/value that contains all "truthy" values, or you want to quickly filter out null and "falsey" values, then this works great:

$FruitsNew = $FruitsOriginal|?{$_}

Answer 2

You can use serialisation to deep clone your array:

#Original data
$FruitsOriginal = Get-Fruits

# Serialize and Deserialize data using BinaryFormatter
$ms = New-Object System.IO.MemoryStream
$bf = New-Object System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Binary.BinaryFormatter
$bf.Serialize($ms, $FruitsOriginal)
$ms.Position = 0

#Deep copied data
$FruitsNew = $bf.Deserialize($ms)
$ms.Close()

Answer 3

# Copy the array here
$FruitsCopy = @()
$FruitsCopy = $FruitsCopy + $FruitsOriginal

Answer 4

Depending on what you need to do with the objects, and if they're simple enough (as in your example), you could just replace them with a new object.

$NewFruits = $FruitsOriginal | %{ [PSCustomObject]@{ "Tasty Fruits" = $_.Type } }

Answer 5

Since Powershell 3.0, same approach as Jaco's answer but using PSSerializer.
It uses a CliXML format compatible with Export-Clixml & Import-Clixml and personally I find it easier to read.
In theory, supports a nested hierarchy up to [int32]::MaxValue levels-deep

#   Original data
$FruitsOriginal     =    Get-Fruits
#   Serialize and Deserialize data using PSSerializer:
$_TempCliXMLString  =   [System.Management.Automation.PSSerializer]::Serialize($FruitsOriginal, [int32]::MaxValue)
$FruitsNew          =   [System.Management.Automation.PSSerializer]::Deserialize($_TempCliXMLString)
#   Deep copy done.