Count length of array and return 1 if it only contains one element

Question

$cars = \"bmw\",\"audi\",\"volvo\",\"vw\"
echo $cars.length

returns 4, but

$cars = \"bmw\"

returns 3 because it

Answer 1

declare you array as:

$car = array("bmw")

EDIT

now with powershell syntax:)

$car = [array]"bmw"

Answer 2

Instead of writing echo $cars.length write echo @($cars).length

Answer 3

A couple other options:

1. Use the comma operator to create an array:

   $cars = ,"bmw"
   $cars.GetType().FullName
   # Outputs: System.Object[]
   

2. Use array subexpression syntax:

   $cars = @("bmw")
   $cars.GetType().FullName
   # Outputs: System.Object[]
   

If you don't want an object array you can downcast to the type you want e.g. a string array.

 [string[]] $cars = ,"bmw"
 [string[]] $cars = @("bmw")

Answer 4

Maybe I am missing something (lots of many-upvotes-members answers here that seem to be looking at this different to I, which would seem implausible that I am correct), but length is not the correct terminology for counting something. Length is usually used to obtain what you are getting, and not what you are wanting.

$cars.count should give you what you seem to be looking for.