TFS build powershell script step : Not able to access $(Date:yyyyMMdd) variable

Question

I had created auto deployment steps using TFS vNext build system. In one step I needs to access $(Date:yyyyMMdd) for some file versioning stuff.

Below you can find configuration and error snippet:

So any idea how to access date related variables as argument in PowerShell script step ?

Hi, do you expect the to have current date in $(Date:yyyyMMdd) ? You could use $(Get-Date -f yyyyMMdd). — sodawillow
– sodawillow, Commented Jun 27, 2016 at 7:55
I need to pass it as param from Build PowerShellScript step, is it gonna work ? — Nilesh Moradiya
– Nilesh Moradiya, Commented Jun 27, 2016 at 8:04

Eddie Chen - MSFT · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-30 02:53:25Z

8

"$(Date:yyyyMMdd)" is a token for Build number format, not a variable. So you cannot use it in the build steps.

The alternative way to do this is to set the "Build number format" under "General" tab to "$(Date:yyyyMMdd)", the variable "$(Build.BuildNumber)" will be filled with the value of "$(Date:yyyyMMdd)". And then you can use "$(Build.BuildNumber)" variable in the build steps.

answered Jun 30, 2016 at 2:53

Eddie Chen - MSFT

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2 Comments

Nilesh Moradiya Over a year ago

This clue helped, i had create one extra step to modify a custom variable which will set to (Get-Date).ToString('yyyyMMddHHss') and pass that variable in consecutive steps.

Alexsandro Over a year ago

Today in VTST, "General Tab" doesn't exist, the correct tab is "Options", and then, edit the "Build number format" input text field.

Martin Brandl · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-27 07:55:46Z

0

As the error tells you, date is not a function. You could set the -fileName parameter in your CompressFile script to:

Param(
    [string]$fileName = 'Package{0}' -f (Get-Date).ToString('yyyyMMdd')
)

And omit the parameter in the TFS VNext argument list (you can still overwrite it).

answered Jun 27, 2016 at 7:55

Martin Brandl

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2 Comments

Nilesh Moradiya Over a year ago

Make sense but i can't use it in this way, as this file is shared across multiple projects packaging and every single one of them have different prefix.

Martin Brandl Over a year ago

Then omit the date postfix when you invoke the script and append it within the CompressFile script...

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