Cannot run Maven using `mvn -D` argument within Microsoft Powershell, but works in Command Prompt

windows command-line powershell maven command
Sled picture Sled · Jun 14, 2011 · Viewed 15k times · Source

I am trying to build our web project from the commandline but skipping the testing. I am using the command mvn clean install -Dmaven.test.skip=true.

When I run the command from the traditional black & white Command Prompt (aka DOS shell) the command works, but when I run it from the command from "Windows PowerShell" I get the following error:

[ERROR] Unknown lifecycle phase ".test.skip=true". You must specify a valid lifecycle phase or a goal in the format <plugin-prefix>:<goal> or <plugin-group-id>:<plugin- artifact-id>[:<plugin-version>]:<goal>. Available lifecycle phases are: validate, initialize, generate-sources, process-sources, generate-resources, process-resources, compile, process-classes, generate-test-sources, process-test-sources, generate-test-resources, process-test-resources, test-compile, process-test-classes, test, prepar e-package, package, pre-integration-test, integration-test, post-integration-test, verify, install, deploy, pre-site, site, post-site, site-deploy, pre-clean, clean, po st-clean. -> [Help 1]

What is causing this discrepancy and how do I get PowerShell to behave like the traditional Command Prompt?

This is running on Windows 7.

Answer

Keith Hill picture Keith Hill · Jun 15, 2011

When you run into problems with PowerShell's interpretation of arguments to be passed to a console EXE, try using the echoargs.exe utility that comes with the PowerShell Community Extensions. With this tool you can see how PowerShell supplies the arguments to the EXE e.g.:

PS> echoargs mvn clean install -Dmaven.test.skip=true
Arg 0 is <mvn>
Arg 1 is <clean>
Arg 2 is <install>
Arg 3 is <-Dmaven>
Arg 4 is <.test.skip=true>

PS> echoargs mvn clean install '-Dmaven.test.skip=true'
Arg 0 is <mvn>
Arg 1 is <clean>
Arg 2 is <install>
Arg 3 is <-Dmaven.test.skip=true>

Short answer - use quoting '-Dmaven.test.skip=true'

Related questions

Capture program stdout and stderr to separate variables

Is it possible to redirect stdout from an external program to a variable and stderr from external programs to another variable in one run? For example: $global:ERRORS = @(); $global:PROGERR = @(); function test() { # Can we redirect errors to $PROGERR here, leaving …

Read More
Cannot delete a file even when logged in as an Administrator

Please could some tell me what I am doing wrong. I am trying to delete hidden folder through command line. I am running the command line as administrator but still getting message insufficient access. Here is screenshot of my command …

Read More
How to create a Run As Administrator shortcut using Powershell

In my PowerShell script, I create a shortcut to a .exe (using something similar to the answer from this question): $WshShell = New-Object -comObject WScript.Shell $Shortcut = $WshShell.CreateShortcut("$Home\Desktop\ColorPix.lnk") $Shortcut.TargetPath = "C:\Program Files (x86)\ColorPix\ColorPix.…

Read More