vRA / vRO 8.1 - Return an array from Powershell

[PhilaaS]

I'm trying to use the new native powershell in vro actions but struggling to get the right syntax to return an array. Below is the example code that I’m using:

function Handler($context, $inputs) {

    $output=@()

    $output += "first string"

    $output += "second string"

write-host "first element type is $($output[0].gettype().name)"

write-host "second element type is $($output[1].gettype().name)"

write-host "output type name is $($output.gettype().name)"

write-host "output basetype name is $($output.gettype().basetype.name)"

    return $output

}

I have tried setting the return type to:

1. string and checking the array box
2. array and unchecking the array box
3. array and checking the array box
4. properties and checking the array box

I always get an error that says "Not an Array".

Would greatly appreciate help if anyone has managed to make it work.

[V00Z11]

I choose the way of creating a PSCustomObject which gets returned as a properties object of that action. The return object has one property, which contains the array. This is working for me.

Have a look and my sample code here: vRO 8.1 scriptable task with PowerShell error: Function was stopped. Most likely because it hit an O...

[maverix7]

Looks like a you found a bug, it is reproducible for any array result from PowerShell. I will make sure to bring this up to the dev team. As a workaround I would suggest to wrap it in a complex object as V00Z11​ suggested

[PhilaaS]

Thanks for the responses, I'm glad it wasn't me doing something dumb.

I was intending to use the workflow to populate a dropdown in service broker as an external action. Can I do this with a complex type? Or will the dropdown only allow me to use workflows that return an array?

[maverix7]

Then the default JS comes to the rescue

I would recommend to do the following workaround:

1. Make your original PowerShell Action (let's call it myAction, for the later use) return the result in an object

function Handler($context, $inputs) {
    $output=@()
    $output += "first string"
    $output += "second string"
    $returnObject = [PSCustomObject]@{  
        Elements = $output
    }  
    return $returnObject
}

2. Create a wrapping JavaScript Action that will invoke the action from 1. and return it's array property

actionResult = System.getModule("com.mymodule").myAction();
return actionResult.Elements;

3. In service broker use the wrapping action from 2.

[igaydajiev]

Another workaround  you can try out  is to return the output array  as single object

Something like

function Test-Return { $array = 1,2,3 return (, $array) }

So in your case you can try replacing

   return $output

with

  return (, $output)

[maverix7]

yes, much simpler and does not require a second wrapping action