Count length of array and return 1 if it only contains one element

Maybe I am missing something (lots of many-upvotes-members answers here that seem to be looking at this different to I, which would seem implausible that I am correct), but length is not the correct terminology for counting something. Length is usually used to obtain what you are getting, and not what you are wanting.

$cars.count should give you what you seem to be looking for.


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")

Instead of writing echo $cars.length write echo @($cars).length


declare you array as:

$car = array("bmw")

EDIT

now with powershell syntax:)

$car = [array]"bmw"