Why does Chocolatey hang when using Powershell ISE without the `-y` switch? - powershell

Question

When using PowerShell ISE with Chocolatey to install applications, if I forget the -y switch, it hangs waiting on some sort of "confirmation" that's not popping up anywhere?
I have to Ctrl+Alt+Del to kill PowerShell ISE and Chocolatey and it leaves things in half-way state.
This is what it looks like below:

Answer 1

In addition to the comments to the OP above, regarding PowerShell ISE not supporting (most) interactive console applications...
It is worth remembering that the REPL window in PowerShell_ISE.exe is not just some sort of docked PowerShell.exe console. Most of the time the user experience is the same, but this hides a number of differences:
https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/powershell/2009/04/17/differences-between-the-ise-and-powershell-console/
Both these executables are host applications that run a PowerShell runspace (engine). You can even write your own application that "hosts" PowerShell. It is the host application that determines the user experience.
PowerShell.org: The Shell vs The host
Spiceworks.com: The Shell vs The Host
Writing a Windows PowerShell Host
And finally, for the most curious:
How PowerShell works
I think I wrote this answer more for my own benefit; it's a useful refresher for me as I get asked this by colleagues every now and again...

Answer 2

It's simply because PoSH ISE is not a thing to use for user interactive .exe commands.
If you .exe or whatever expects a response, when in the ISE you have to provide it.
You can easily prove this is not a Chocolatey thing by trying any other .exe that kicks out interactive stuff. For example, just type:
nslookup in the script pane and F8 to run it, or type it in the console pane and hit enter
Either way, the console will just hang, waiting for a interactive response that you cannot provide.
You can still use interactive commands like nslookup in the PoSH ISE, but you have to provide all parameters. For example:
nslookup microsoft.com
nslookup -type=mx microsoft.com
nslookup -q=soa microsoft.com
PS 5.1 even kicks out an error message now.
nslookup
Cannot start "nslookup". Interactive console applications are not supported.
To run the application, use the Start-Process cmdlet or use "Start PowerShell.exe" from the File menu.
To view/modify the list of blocked console applications, use $psUnsupportedConsoleApplications, or consult online help.
At line:0 char:0
You can easily shell out to the PowerShell console host temporarily this way.
Here is a function I have in my profile for such efforts.
Function Start-ConsoleCommand
{
[CmdletBinding()]
[Alias('scc')]
Param
(
[string]$ConsoleCommand,
[switch]$PoSHCore
)
If ($PoSHCore)
{Start-Process pwsh -ArgumentList "-NoExit","-Command &{ $ConsoleCommand }" -Wait}
Else
{Start-Process powershell -ArgumentList "-NoExit","-Command &{ $ConsoleCommand }" -Wait}
}
So, just type
scc -ConsoleCommand choco install winmerge
It'll pop the console host and stay open until you close it.
Update
As per request of - Alex Kwitny
PoSHGet default has only two repositories,
nuget
PSGallery
but you can add your own or another.
You use the below cmdlets to make this happen.
I have not had to use Chocolatey in a while, but taking a quick look and my archives, the below is what I used
Set up chocolatey repository
Find-Module
Get-Module
Find-Package
Get-Package
Get-PackageProvider
Get-PackageSource
Get-PackageSource -Provider chocolatey
Register-PackageSource -Name chocolatey -Provider Chocolatey -Trusted -Location http://chocolatey.org/api/v2/ -Verbose
Find-Module
Get-Module
Find-Package
Get-Package