Powershell - Output to screen AND logfile - powershell

Question

I am trying to write ALL the output to a logfile, and I seem to be doing something wrong. I also need the output on the screen.
Here is what I have so far:
# Log file time stamp:
$LogTime = Get-Date -Format "MM-dd-yyyy_hh-mm-ss"
# Log file name:
$LogFile = "EXPORTLOG_"+$LogTime+".log"
$database = "DB"
$schema = "dbo"
$table = "TableName"
foreach($line in Get-Content .\Alltables.txt) {
if($line -match $regex){
$bcp = "bcp $($database).$($schema).$($line) out $line.dat -T -c"
Invoke-Expression $bcp | Out-File $LogFile -Append -Force
}
}
When I want to write out the command to the logfile so I know which table is processed, I get an error:
Here is the code:
# Log file time stamp:
$LogTime = Get-Date -Format "MM-dd-yyyy_hh-mm-ss"
# Log file name:
$LogFile = "EXPORTLOG_"+$LogTime+".log"
$database = "DB"
$schema = "dbo"
$table = "TableName"
foreach($line in Get-Content .\Alltables.txt) {
if($line -match $regex){
$bcp = "bcp $($database).$($schema).$($line) out $line.dat -T -c" | Out-File $LogFile -Append -Force
Invoke-Expression $bcp | Out-File $LogFile -Append -Force
}
}
And the error:
Invoke-Expression : Cannot bind argument to parameter 'Command' because it is null.
At C:\Temp\AFLAC\export.ps1:16 char:21
+ Invoke-Expression $bcp | Out-File $LogFile -Append -Force
+ ~~~~
+ CategoryInfo : InvalidData: (:) [Invoke-Expression], ParameterBindingValidationException
+ FullyQualifiedErrorId : ParameterArgumentValidationErrorNullNotAllowed,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.InvokeExpressionCommand
I am obviously not very good with Powershell and I please need your advise on how I should code this the best possible way.
Maybe the above way is completely wrong, I do appreciate your guidance.
Thank you

Answer 1

Try modifying your code to something like this:
foreach($line in Get-Content .\Alltables.txt) {
if($line -match $regex) {
$bcp_command = "bcp $database" + '.' + $schema '.' + $line + ' out ' + $line + '.dat -T -c')
Tee-Object -FilePath $LogFile -InputObject $bcp_command -Append
$bcp_results = Invoke-Expression $bcp_command
Tee-Object -FilePath $LogFile -InputObject $bcp_results -Append
}
}