powershell - 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 counts the characters..

Is there a way I can return 1 if the array only contains one item?

Answer 1

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")