Commands

1. Anatomy: Verb-Noun

• Command: The action (e.g., Get-Service).
• Parameter: Starts with a hyphen (Name).
• Switch: A parameter without a value; it’s just “On” or “Off.”

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2. Discovery Tools

• Get-Command: Lists every available command (scripts, aliases, functions).
• Get-Help: Shows instructions and syntax diagrams.

  • [ ] = Optional parameter.

  • < > = Optional Value to Parameter, Data type required (e.g., <String>).

    

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3. Definitions

• Cmdlet: A built-in, lightweight PowerShell command.
• Function: A custom, named block of code.
• Alias: A nickname or shortcut for a command (e.g., dir for Get-ChildItem).

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4. Parameter Sets

Commands have “modes.” You cannot mix parameters from different sets.

• Example: You can find a process by Name OR by Id, but usually not both at once.

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5. Execution Priority (Who wins?)

If names conflict, PowerShell runs them in this order:

1. Alias (Winner)
2. Function
3. Cmdlet
4. Windows Native Apps (.exe)

1. Get-Command (The “Finder”)

Use this when you know what you want to do but don’t know the exact command name. It searches the “toolbox.”

• Example: Find all commands related to “Service” PowerShell

  Get-Command *Service*

• Example: Find all commands that start with the verb “Restart” PowerShell

  Get-Command -Verb Restart

  

  

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2. Get-Help (The “Manual”)

Use this once you have the command name but need to know the syntax, parameters, or see examples.

• Example: See the basic syntax of Get-ProcessPowerShell

  Get-Help Get-Process

• Example: See real-world usage examples for a commandPowerShell

  Get-Help Get-Content -Examples

• Example: Open the full online documentation in your browserPowerShell

  Get-Help Stop-Service -Online

  

  

Alias