Powershell: $LASTEXITCODE in a function

Question

Hi I'm noticing some odd behavior with the following code snippet

function test
{
    $LASTEXITCODE = $null
    ping asdfs
    Write-Host "Last exitcode: $LASTEXITCODE"
}

test
Write-Host "Last exitcode: $LASTEXITCODE"

The output from this is

Ping request could not find host asdfs. Please check the name and try again.
Last exitcode: 
Last exitcode: 1

Why is $LASTEXITCODE not set within the test() function?

This is a generalization of a problem I'm having right now, when I call a Win32 .exe from within a function and the $LASTEXITCODE isn't returning the value I'm expecting from within a function

Answer 1

Because you are not supposed to be setting automatic variables like that. You are creating a local variable and nullifying it. Remove the $LASTEXITCODE = $null line and you will get the expected result. Or you can do $global:LASTEXITCODE = $null

Answer 2

You are assigning a value to $LASTEXITCODE inside the scope of the function test, where it actually is set. The last line of output lists $LASTEXITCODE as 1, because you left the scope of the function test and the value assigned to $LASTEXITCODE inside that scope is not of any interest anymore.

As manojlds already pointed out you can just set the variable globally, if you want to achieve that result.