Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray

Short description of the objectâa one-line string.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, Caption

CreationClassName

STRING MAX 256 CHAR

Name of the first concrete class that appears in the inheritance chain used in the creation of an instance. When used with the other key properties of the class, the property allows all instances of this class and its subclasses to be identified uniquely.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, CreationClassName

Depth

REAL32 “INCHES”

Depth of the physical packageâin inches.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, Depth

Description

STRING

Description of the object.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, Description

Height

REAL32 “INCHES”

Height of the physical packageâin inches.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, Height

HotSwappable

If TRUE, a physical package can be hot-swapped (if it is possible to replace the element with a physically different but equivalent one while the containing package has power applied to it, is “on”). For example, a disk drive package inserted using SCA connectors is removable and can be hot-swapped. All packages that can be hot-swapped are inherently removable and replaceable.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, HotSwappable

InstallDate

DATETIME

Date and time the object was installed. This property does not need a value to indicate that the object is installed.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, InstallDate

Location

Physical location of the memory array.

This value comes from the Location member of the Physical Memory Array structure in the SMBIOS information.

Location returns a numeric value. To translate it into a meaningful text, use any of the following approaches:

Use a PowerShell Hashtable

$Location_map = @{
= 'Reserved'
= 'Other'
= 'Unknown'
= 'System board or motherboard'
= 'ISA add-on card'
= 'EISA add-on card'
= 'PCI add-on card'
= 'MCA add-on card'
= 'PCMCIA add-on card'
= 'Proprietary add-on card'
= 'NuBus'
= 'PC-98/C20 add-on card'
= 'PC-98/C24 add-on card'
= 'PC-98/E add-on card'
= 'PC-98/Local bus add-on card'
}

Use a switch statement

switch([int]$value)
{
        {'Reserved'}
        {'Other'}
        {'Unknown'}
        {'System board or motherboard'}
        {'ISA add-on card'}
        {'EISA add-on card'}
        {'PCI add-on card'}
        {'MCA add-on card'}
        {'PCMCIA add-on card'}
        {'Proprietary add-on card'}
       {'NuBus'}
       {'PC-98/C20 add-on card'}
       {'PC-98/C24 add-on card'}
       {'PC-98/E add-on card'}
       {'PC-98/Local bus add-on card'}
  default    {"$value"}
}

Use Enum structure

Enum EnumLocation
{
  Reserved                      = 0
  Other                         = 1
  Unknown                       = 2
  System_board_or_motherboard   = 3
  ISA_add_on_card               = 4
  EISA_add_on_card              = 5
  PCI_add_on_card               = 6
  MCA_add_on_card               = 7
  PCMCIA_add_on_card            = 8
  Proprietary_add_on_card       = 9
  NuBus                         = 10
  PC_98C20_add_on_card          = 11
  PC_98C24_add_on_card          = 12
  PC_98E_add_on_card            = 13
  PC_98Local_bus_add_on_card    = 14
}

Examples

Use $Location_map in a calculated property for Select-Object

<# 
  this example uses a hashtable to translate raw numeric values for 
  property "Location" to friendly text

  Note: to use other properties than "Location", look up the appropriate 
  translation hashtable for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define hashtable to translate raw values to friendly text

# Please note: this hashtable is specific for property "Location" 
# to translate other properties, use their translation table instead
$Location_map = @{
      0 = 'Reserved'
      1 = 'Other'
      2 = 'Unknown'
      3 = 'System board or motherboard'
      4 = 'ISA add-on card'
      5 = 'EISA add-on card'
      6 = 'PCI add-on card'
      7 = 'MCA add-on card'
      8 = 'PCMCIA add-on card'
      9 = 'Proprietary add-on card'
     10 = 'NuBus'
     11 = 'PC-98/C20 add-on card'
     12 = 'PC-98/C24 add-on card'
     13 = 'PC-98/E add-on card'
     14 = 'PC-98/Local bus add-on card'
}

#endregion define hashtable

#region define calculated property (to be used with Select-Object)

<#
  a calculated property is defined by a hashtable with keys "Name" and "Expression"
  "Name" defines the name of the property (in this example, it is "Location", but you can rename it to anything else)
  "Expression" defines a scriptblock that calculates the content of this property
  in this example, the scriptblock uses the hashtable defined earlier to translate each numeric
  value to its friendly text counterpart:
#>
 
$Location = @{
  Name = 'Location'
  Expression = {
    # property is an array, so process all values
    $value = $_.Location
    $Location_map[[int]$value]
  }  
}
#endregion define calculated property

# retrieve the instances, and output the properties "Caption" and "Location". The latter
# is defined by the hashtable in $Location: 
Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Caption, $Location

# ...or dump content of property Location:
$friendlyValues = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | 
    Select-Object -Property $Location |
    Select-Object -ExpandProperty Location

# output values
$friendlyValues

# output values as comma separated list
$friendlyValues -join ', '

# output values as bullet list
$friendlyValues | ForEach-Object { "- $_" }

Use $Location_map to directly translate raw values from an instance

<# 
  this example uses a hashtable to manually translate raw numeric values 
  for property "Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray" to friendly text. This approach is ideal when
  there is just one instance to work with.

  Note: to use other properties than "Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray", look up the appropriate 
  translation hashtable for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define hashtable to translate raw values to friendly text

# Please note: this hashtable is specific for property "Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray" 
# to translate other properties, use their translation table instead
$Location_map = @{
      0 = 'Reserved'
      1 = 'Other'
      2 = 'Unknown'
      3 = 'System board or motherboard'
      4 = 'ISA add-on card'
      5 = 'EISA add-on card'
      6 = 'PCI add-on card'
      7 = 'MCA add-on card'
      8 = 'PCMCIA add-on card'
      9 = 'Proprietary add-on card'
     10 = 'NuBus'
     11 = 'PC-98/C20 add-on card'
     12 = 'PC-98/C24 add-on card'
     13 = 'PC-98/E add-on card'
     14 = 'PC-98/Local bus add-on card'
}

#endregion define hashtable

# get one instance:
$instance = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -First 1

<#
  IMPORTANT: this example processes only one instance to illustrate
  the number-to-text translation. To process all instances, replace
  "Select-Object -First 1" with a "Foreach-Object" loop, and use
  the iterator variable $_ instead of $instance
#>

# query the property
$rawValue = $instance.Location  

# translate raw value to friendly text:
$friendlyName = $Location_map[[int]$rawValue]

# output value
$friendlyName

Use a switch statement inside a calculated property for Select-Object

<# 
  this example uses a switch clause to translate raw numeric 
  values for property "Location" to friendly text. The switch
  clause is embedded into a calculated property so there is
  no need to refer to external variables for translation.

  Note: to use other properties than "Location", look up the appropriate 
  translation switch clause for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define calculated property (to be used with Select-Object)

<#
  a calculated property is defined by a hashtable with keys "Name" and "Expression"
  "Name" defines the name of the property (in this example, it is "Location", but you can rename it to anything else)
  "Expression" defines a scriptblock that calculates the content of this property
  in this example, the scriptblock uses the hashtable defined earlier to translate each numeric
  value to its friendly text counterpart:
#>
 
$Location = @{
  Name = 'Location'
  Expression = {
    # property is an array, so process all values
    $value = $_.Location
    
    switch([int]$value)
      {
        0          {'Reserved'}
        1          {'Other'}
        2          {'Unknown'}
        3          {'System board or motherboard'}
        4          {'ISA add-on card'}
        5          {'EISA add-on card'}
        6          {'PCI add-on card'}
        7          {'MCA add-on card'}
        8          {'PCMCIA add-on card'}
        9          {'Proprietary add-on card'}
        10         {'NuBus'}
        11         {'PC-98/C20 add-on card'}
        12         {'PC-98/C24 add-on card'}
        13         {'PC-98/E add-on card'}
        14         {'PC-98/Local bus add-on card'}
        default    {"$value"}
      }
      
  }  
}
#endregion define calculated property

# retrieve all instances...
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | 
  # ...and output properties "Caption" and "Location". The latter is defined
  # by the hashtable in $Location:
  Select-Object -Property Caption, $Location

Use the Enum from above to auto-translate the code values

<# 
  this example translates raw values by means of type conversion
  the friendly names are defined as enumeration using the
  keyword "enum" (PowerShell 5 or better)
  
  The raw value(s) are translated to friendly text by 
  simply converting them into the enum type.
  
  Note: to use other properties than "Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray", look up the appropriate 
  enum definition for the property you would like to use instead.
#>


#region define enum with value-to-text translation:
Enum EnumLocation
{
  Reserved                      = 0
  Other                         = 1
  Unknown                       = 2
  System_board_or_motherboard   = 3
  ISA_add_on_card               = 4
  EISA_add_on_card              = 5
  PCI_add_on_card               = 6
  MCA_add_on_card               = 7
  PCMCIA_add_on_card            = 8
  Proprietary_add_on_card       = 9
  NuBus                         = 10
  PC_98C20_add_on_card          = 11
  PC_98C24_add_on_card          = 12
  PC_98E_add_on_card            = 13
  PC_98Local_bus_add_on_card    = 14
}

#endregion define enum

# get one instance:
$instance = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -First 1

<#
  IMPORTANT: this example processes only one instance to focus on
  the number-to-text type conversion. 
  
  To process all instances, replace   "Select-Object -First 1" 
  with a "Foreach-Object" loop, and use the iterator variable 
  $_ instead of $instance
#>

# query the property:
$rawValue = $instance.Location

#region using strict type conversion

<#
  Note: strict type conversion fails if the raw value is 
  not defined by the enum. So if the list of allowable values
  was extended and the enum does not match the value,
  an exception is thrown
#>

# convert the property to the enum **Location** 
[EnumLocation]$rawValue 

# get a comma-separated string:
[EnumLocation]$rawValue -join ',' 
#endregion

#region using operator "-as"

<#
  Note: the operator "-as" accepts values not defined
  by the enum and returns $null instead of throwing
  an exception
#>

$rawValue -as [EnumLocation]
#endregion

Enums must cover all possible values. If Location returns a value that is not defined in the enum, an exception occurs. The exception reports the value that was missing in the enum. To fix, add the missing value to the enum.

Manufacturer

STRING MAX 256 CHAR

Name of the organization responsible for producing the physical element.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, Manufacturer

MaxCapacity

UINT32

Use the MaxCapacityEx property instead.

This value comes from the Maximum Capacity member of the Physical Memory Array structure in the SMBIOS information.

Windows Server® 2012® R2, Windows® 8.1, Windows Server® 2012, Windows® 8, Windows Server® 2008® R2, Windows® 7, Windows Server® 2008 and Windows® Vista: Maximum memory size (in bytes) installable for this particular memory array. If the size is unknown, the property is given a value of 0 (zero).

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, MaxCapacity

MaxCapacityEx

UINT64 “KILOBYTES”

Maximum memory size (in bytes) installable for this particular memory array. If the size is unknown, the property is given a value of 0 (zero).

This value comes from the Extended Maximum Capacity member of the Physical Memory Array structure in the SMBIOS information.

Windows Server® 2012® R2, Windows® 8.1, Windows Server® 2012, Windows® 8, Windows Server® 2008® R2, Windows® 7, Windows Server® 2008 and Windows® Vista: This property is not supported.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, MaxCapacityEx

MemoryDevices

Number of physical slots or sockets available in this memory array.

This value comes from the Number of Memory Devices member of the Physical Memory Array structure in the SMBIOS information.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, MemoryDevices

MemoryErrorCorrection

Type of error correction used by the memory array.

This value comes from the Memory Error Correction member of the Physical Memory Array structure in the SMBIOS information.

MemoryErrorCorrection returns a numeric value. To translate it into a meaningful text, use any of the following approaches:

Use a PowerShell Hashtable

$MemoryErrorCorrection_map = @{
= 'Reserved'
= 'Other'
= 'Unknown'
= 'None'
= 'Parity'
= 'Single-bit ECC'
= 'Multi-bit ECC'
= 'CRC'
}

Use a switch statement

switch([int]$value)
{
  0          {'Reserved'}
  1          {'Other'}
  2          {'Unknown'}
  3          {'None'}
  4          {'Parity'}
  5          {'Single-bit ECC'}
  6          {'Multi-bit ECC'}
  7          {'CRC'}
  default    {"$value"}
}

Use Enum structure

Enum EnumMemoryErrorCorrection
{
  Reserved         = 0
  Other            = 1
  Unknown          = 2
  None             = 3
  Parity           = 4
  Single_bit_ECC   = 5
  Multi_bit_ECC    = 6
  CRC              = 7
}

Examples

Use $MemoryErrorCorrection_map in a calculated property for Select-Object

<# 
  this example uses a hashtable to translate raw numeric values for 
  property "MemoryErrorCorrection" to friendly text

  Note: to use other properties than "MemoryErrorCorrection", look up the appropriate 
  translation hashtable for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define hashtable to translate raw values to friendly text

# Please note: this hashtable is specific for property "MemoryErrorCorrection" 
# to translate other properties, use their translation table instead
$MemoryErrorCorrection_map = @{
      0 = 'Reserved'
      1 = 'Other'
      2 = 'Unknown'
      3 = 'None'
      4 = 'Parity'
      5 = 'Single-bit ECC'
      6 = 'Multi-bit ECC'
      7 = 'CRC'
}

#endregion define hashtable

#region define calculated property (to be used with Select-Object)

<#
  a calculated property is defined by a hashtable with keys "Name" and "Expression"
  "Name" defines the name of the property (in this example, it is "MemoryErrorCorrection", but you can rename it to anything else)
  "Expression" defines a scriptblock that calculates the content of this property
  in this example, the scriptblock uses the hashtable defined earlier to translate each numeric
  value to its friendly text counterpart:
#>
 
$MemoryErrorCorrection = @{
  Name = 'MemoryErrorCorrection'
  Expression = {
    # property is an array, so process all values
    $value = $_.MemoryErrorCorrection
    $MemoryErrorCorrection_map[[int]$value]
  }  
}
#endregion define calculated property

# retrieve the instances, and output the properties "Caption" and "MemoryErrorCorrection". The latter
# is defined by the hashtable in $MemoryErrorCorrection: 
Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Caption, $MemoryErrorCorrection

# ...or dump content of property MemoryErrorCorrection:
$friendlyValues = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | 
    Select-Object -Property $MemoryErrorCorrection |
    Select-Object -ExpandProperty MemoryErrorCorrection

# output values
$friendlyValues

# output values as comma separated list
$friendlyValues -join ', '

# output values as bullet list
$friendlyValues | ForEach-Object { "- $_" }

Use $MemoryErrorCorrection_map to directly translate raw values from an instance

<# 
  this example uses a hashtable to manually translate raw numeric values 
  for property "Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray" to friendly text. This approach is ideal when
  there is just one instance to work with.

  Note: to use other properties than "Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray", look up the appropriate 
  translation hashtable for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define hashtable to translate raw values to friendly text

# Please note: this hashtable is specific for property "Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray" 
# to translate other properties, use their translation table instead
$MemoryErrorCorrection_map = @{
      0 = 'Reserved'
      1 = 'Other'
      2 = 'Unknown'
      3 = 'None'
      4 = 'Parity'
      5 = 'Single-bit ECC'
      6 = 'Multi-bit ECC'
      7 = 'CRC'
}

#endregion define hashtable

# get one instance:
$instance = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -First 1

<#
  IMPORTANT: this example processes only one instance to illustrate
  the number-to-text translation. To process all instances, replace
  "Select-Object -First 1" with a "Foreach-Object" loop, and use
  the iterator variable $_ instead of $instance
#>

# query the property
$rawValue = $instance.MemoryErrorCorrection  

# translate raw value to friendly text:
$friendlyName = $MemoryErrorCorrection_map[[int]$rawValue]

# output value
$friendlyName

Use a switch statement inside a calculated property for Select-Object

<# 
  this example uses a switch clause to translate raw numeric 
  values for property "MemoryErrorCorrection" to friendly text. The switch
  clause is embedded into a calculated property so there is
  no need to refer to external variables for translation.

  Note: to use other properties than "MemoryErrorCorrection", look up the appropriate 
  translation switch clause for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define calculated property (to be used with Select-Object)

<#
  a calculated property is defined by a hashtable with keys "Name" and "Expression"
  "Name" defines the name of the property (in this example, it is "MemoryErrorCorrection", but you can rename it to anything else)
  "Expression" defines a scriptblock that calculates the content of this property
  in this example, the scriptblock uses the hashtable defined earlier to translate each numeric
  value to its friendly text counterpart:
#>
 
$MemoryErrorCorrection = @{
  Name = 'MemoryErrorCorrection'
  Expression = {
    # property is an array, so process all values
    $value = $_.MemoryErrorCorrection
    
    switch([int]$value)
      {
        0          {'Reserved'}
        1          {'Other'}
        2          {'Unknown'}
        3          {'None'}
        4          {'Parity'}
        5          {'Single-bit ECC'}
        6          {'Multi-bit ECC'}
        7          {'CRC'}
        default    {"$value"}
      }
      
  }  
}
#endregion define calculated property

# retrieve all instances...
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | 
  # ...and output properties "Caption" and "MemoryErrorCorrection". The latter is defined
  # by the hashtable in $MemoryErrorCorrection:
  Select-Object -Property Caption, $MemoryErrorCorrection

Use the Enum from above to auto-translate the code values

<# 
  this example translates raw values by means of type conversion
  the friendly names are defined as enumeration using the
  keyword "enum" (PowerShell 5 or better)
  
  The raw value(s) are translated to friendly text by 
  simply converting them into the enum type.
  
  Note: to use other properties than "Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray", look up the appropriate 
  enum definition for the property you would like to use instead.
#>


#region define enum with value-to-text translation:
Enum EnumMemoryErrorCorrection
{
  Reserved         = 0
  Other            = 1
  Unknown          = 2
  None             = 3
  Parity           = 4
  Single_bit_ECC   = 5
  Multi_bit_ECC    = 6
  CRC              = 7
}

#endregion define enum

# get one instance:
$instance = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -First 1

<#
  IMPORTANT: this example processes only one instance to focus on
  the number-to-text type conversion. 
  
  To process all instances, replace   "Select-Object -First 1" 
  with a "Foreach-Object" loop, and use the iterator variable 
  $_ instead of $instance
#>

# query the property:
$rawValue = $instance.MemoryErrorCorrection

#region using strict type conversion

<#
  Note: strict type conversion fails if the raw value is 
  not defined by the enum. So if the list of allowable values
  was extended and the enum does not match the value,
  an exception is thrown
#>

# convert the property to the enum **MemoryErrorCorrection** 
[EnumMemoryErrorCorrection]$rawValue 

# get a comma-separated string:
[EnumMemoryErrorCorrection]$rawValue -join ',' 
#endregion

#region using operator "-as"

<#
  Note: the operator "-as" accepts values not defined
  by the enum and returns $null instead of throwing
  an exception
#>

$rawValue -as [EnumMemoryErrorCorrection]
#endregion

Enums must cover all possible values. If MemoryErrorCorrection returns a value that is not defined in the enum, an exception occurs. The exception reports the value that was missing in the enum. To fix, add the missing value to the enum.

Model

Name by which the physical element is generally known.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, Model

Name

STRING

Label by which the object is known. When subclassed, the property can be overridden to be a key property.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, Name

OtherIdentifyingInfo

STRING

Additional data, beyond asset tag information, that could be used to identify a physical element. One example is bar code data associated with an element that also has an asset tag. Note that if only bar code data is available and is unique or able to be used as an element key, this property would be NULL and the bar code data used as the class key, in the tag property.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, OtherIdentifyingInfo

PartNumber

STRING MAX 256 CHAR

Part number assigned by the organization responsible for producing or manufacturing the physical element.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, PartNumber

PoweredOn

If TRUE, the physical element is powered on.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, PoweredOn

Removable

If TRUE, a physical package is removable (if it is designed to be taken in and out of the physical container in which it is normally found, without impairing the function of the overall packaging). A package can still be removable if power must be “off” to perform the removal. If power can be “on” and the package removed, then the element is removable and can be hot-swapped. For example, an extra battery in a laptop is removable, as is a disk drive package inserted using SCA connectors. However, the latter can be hot-swapped. A laptop’s display is not removable, nor is a nonredundant power supply. Removing these components would affect the function of the overall packaging or is impossible due to the tight integration of the package.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, Removable

Replaceable

If TRUE, this physical media component can be replaced with a physically different one. For example, some computer systems allow the main processor chip to be upgraded to one of a higher clock rating. In this case, the processor is said to be replaceable. Another example is a power supply package mounted on sliding rails. All removable packages are inherently replaceable.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, Replaceable

SerialNumber

Manufacturer-allocated number used to identify the physical element.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, SerialNumber

SKU

KEY PROPERTY STRING MAX 256 CHAR

Stockkeeping unit number for the physical element.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, SKU

Status

STRING MAX 10 CHAR

Current status of an object. Various operational and nonoperational statuses can be defined. Available values:

$values = 'Degraded','Error','Lost Comm','No Contact','NonRecover','OK','Pred Fail','Service','Starting','Stopping','Stressed','Unknown'

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag, Status

Tag

Unique identifier of the physical memory array.

Example: “Physical Memory Array 1”

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Tag

Use

How memory is used in the computer system.

This value comes from the Use member of the Physical Memory Array structure in the SMBIOS information.

Use returns a numeric value. To translate it into a meaningful text, use any of the following approaches:

Use a PowerShell Hashtable

$Use_map = @{
= 'Reserved'
= 'Other'
= 'Unknown'
= 'System memory'
= 'Video memory'
= 'Flash memory'
= 'Non-volatile RAM'
= 'Cache memory'
}

Use a switch statement

switch([int]$value)
{
  0          {'Reserved'}
  1          {'Other'}
  2          {'Unknown'}
  3          {'System memory'}
  4          {'Video memory'}
  5          {'Flash memory'}
  6          {'Non-volatile RAM'}
  7          {'Cache memory'}
  default    {"$value"}
}

Use Enum structure

Enum EnumUse
{
  Reserved           = 0
  Other              = 1
  Unknown            = 2
  System_memory      = 3
  Video_memory       = 4
  Flash_memory       = 5
  Non_volatile_RAM   = 6
  Cache_memory       = 7
}

Examples

Use $Use_map in a calculated property for Select-Object

<# 
  this example uses a hashtable to translate raw numeric values for 
  property "Use" to friendly text

  Note: to use other properties than "Use", look up the appropriate 
  translation hashtable for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define hashtable to translate raw values to friendly text

# Please note: this hashtable is specific for property "Use" 
# to translate other properties, use their translation table instead
$Use_map = @{
      0 = 'Reserved'
      1 = 'Other'
      2 = 'Unknown'
      3 = 'System memory'
      4 = 'Video memory'
      5 = 'Flash memory'
      6 = 'Non-volatile RAM'
      7 = 'Cache memory'
}

#endregion define hashtable

#region define calculated property (to be used with Select-Object)

<#
  a calculated property is defined by a hashtable with keys "Name" and "Expression"
  "Name" defines the name of the property (in this example, it is "Use", but you can rename it to anything else)
  "Expression" defines a scriptblock that calculates the content of this property
  in this example, the scriptblock uses the hashtable defined earlier to translate each numeric
  value to its friendly text counterpart:
#>
 
$Use = @{
  Name = 'Use'
  Expression = {
    # property is an array, so process all values
    $value = $_.Use
    $Use_map[[int]$value]
  }  
}
#endregion define calculated property

# retrieve the instances, and output the properties "Caption" and "Use". The latter
# is defined by the hashtable in $Use: 
Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -Property Caption, $Use

# ...or dump content of property Use:
$friendlyValues = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | 
    Select-Object -Property $Use |
    Select-Object -ExpandProperty Use

# output values
$friendlyValues

# output values as comma separated list
$friendlyValues -join ', '

# output values as bullet list
$friendlyValues | ForEach-Object { "- $_" }

Use $Use_map to directly translate raw values from an instance

<# 
  this example uses a hashtable to manually translate raw numeric values 
  for property "Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray" to friendly text. This approach is ideal when
  there is just one instance to work with.

  Note: to use other properties than "Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray", look up the appropriate 
  translation hashtable for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define hashtable to translate raw values to friendly text

# Please note: this hashtable is specific for property "Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray" 
# to translate other properties, use their translation table instead
$Use_map = @{
      0 = 'Reserved'
      1 = 'Other'
      2 = 'Unknown'
      3 = 'System memory'
      4 = 'Video memory'
      5 = 'Flash memory'
      6 = 'Non-volatile RAM'
      7 = 'Cache memory'
}

#endregion define hashtable

# get one instance:
$instance = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -First 1

<#
  IMPORTANT: this example processes only one instance to illustrate
  the number-to-text translation. To process all instances, replace
  "Select-Object -First 1" with a "Foreach-Object" loop, and use
  the iterator variable $_ instead of $instance
#>

# query the property
$rawValue = $instance.Use  

# translate raw value to friendly text:
$friendlyName = $Use_map[[int]$rawValue]

# output value
$friendlyName

Use a switch statement inside a calculated property for Select-Object

<# 
  this example uses a switch clause to translate raw numeric 
  values for property "Use" to friendly text. The switch
  clause is embedded into a calculated property so there is
  no need to refer to external variables for translation.

  Note: to use other properties than "Use", look up the appropriate 
  translation switch clause for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define calculated property (to be used with Select-Object)

<#
  a calculated property is defined by a hashtable with keys "Name" and "Expression"
  "Name" defines the name of the property (in this example, it is "Use", but you can rename it to anything else)
  "Expression" defines a scriptblock that calculates the content of this property
  in this example, the scriptblock uses the hashtable defined earlier to translate each numeric
  value to its friendly text counterpart:
#>
 
$Use = @{
  Name = 'Use'
  Expression = {
    # property is an array, so process all values
    $value = $_.Use
    
    switch([int]$value)
      {
        0          {'Reserved'}
        1          {'Other'}
        2          {'Unknown'}
        3          {'System memory'}
        4          {'Video memory'}
        5          {'Flash memory'}
        6          {'Non-volatile RAM'}
        7          {'Cache memory'}
        default    {"$value"}
      }
      
  }  
}
#endregion define calculated property

# retrieve all instances...
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | 
  # ...and output properties "Caption" and "Use". The latter is defined
  # by the hashtable in $Use:
  Select-Object -Property Caption, $Use

Use the Enum from above to auto-translate the code values

<# 
  this example translates raw values by means of type conversion
  the friendly names are defined as enumeration using the
  keyword "enum" (PowerShell 5 or better)
  
  The raw value(s) are translated to friendly text by 
  simply converting them into the enum type.
  
  Note: to use other properties than "Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray", look up the appropriate 
  enum definition for the property you would like to use instead.
#>


#region define enum with value-to-text translation:
Enum EnumUse
{
  Reserved           = 0
  Other              = 1
  Unknown            = 2
  System_memory      = 3
  Video_memory       = 4
  Flash_memory       = 5
  Non_volatile_RAM   = 6
  Cache_memory       = 7
}

#endregion define enum

# get one instance:
$instance = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PhysicalMemoryArray | Select-Object -First 1

<#
  IMPORTANT: this example processes only one instance to focus on
  the number-to-text type conversion. 
  
  To process all instances, replace   "Select-Object -First 1" 
  with a "Foreach-Object" loop, and use the iterator variable 
  $_ instead of $instance
#>

# query the property:
$rawValue = $instance.Use

#region using strict type conversion

<#
  Note: strict type conversion fails if the raw value is 
  not defined by the enum. So if the list of allowable values
  was extended and the enum does not match the value,
  an exception is thrown
#>

# convert the property to the enum **Use** 
[EnumUse]$rawValue 

# get a comma-separated string:
[EnumUse]$rawValue -join ',' 
#endregion

#region using operator "-as"

<#
  Note: the operator "-as" accepts values not defined
  by the enum and returns $null instead of throwing
  an exception
#>

$rawValue -as [EnumUse]
#endregion

Enums must cover all possible values. If Use returns a value that is not defined in the enum, an exception occurs. The exception reports the value that was missing in the enum. To fix, add the missing value to the enum.

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