PowerShell Glossary

This article lists common terms used to talk about PowerShell.

B

binary module

A PowerShell module whose root module is a binary (.dll) file. A binary module may or may not include a module manifest.

C

CommonParameter

A parameter that's added to all cmdlets, advanced functions, and workflows by the PowerShell engine.

D

dot source

In PowerShell, to start a command by typing a dot and a space before the command. Commands that are dot sourced run in the current scope instead of in a new scope. Any variables, aliases, functions, or drives that command creates are created in the current scope and are available to users when the command is completed.

dynamic module

A module that exists only in memory. The New-Module and Import-PSSession cmdlets create dynamic modules.

dynamic parameter

A parameter that's added to a PowerShell cmdlet, function, or script under certain conditions. Cmdlets, functions, providers, and scripts can add dynamic parameters.

F

format file

A PowerShell XML file that has the .format.ps1xml extension and that defines how PowerShell displays an object based on its .NET Framework type.

G

global session state

The session state that contains the data that's accessible to the user of a PowerShell session.

H

Host

The interface that the PowerShell engine uses to communicate with the user. For example, the host specifies how prompts are handled between PowerShell and the user.

host application

A program that loads the PowerShell engine into its process and uses it to perform operations.

I

input processing method

A method that a cmdlet can use to process the records it receives as input. The input processing methods include the BeginProcessing method, the ProcessRecord method, the EndProcessing method, and the StopProcessing method.

M

manifest module

A PowerShell module that has a manifest and whose RootModule key is empty.

member-access enumeration

A PowerShell convenience feature to automatically enumerate items in a collection when using the member-access operator (.).

module

A self-contained reusable unit that allows you to partition, organize, and abstract your PowerShell code. A module can contain cmdlets, providers, functions, variables, and other types of resources that can be imported as a single unit.

module manifest

A PowerShell data file (.psd1) that describes the contents of a module and that controls how a module is processed.

module session state

The session state that contains the public and private data of a PowerShell module. The private data in this session state isn't available to the user of a PowerShell session.

N

non-terminating error

An error that doesn't stop PowerShell from continuing to process the command.

noun

The word that follows the hyphen in a PowerShell cmdlet name. The noun describes the resources upon which the cmdlet acts.

P

parameter set

A group of parameters that can be used in the same command to perform a specific action.

pipe

In PowerShell, to send the results of the preceding command as input to the next command in the pipeline.

pipeline

A series of commands connected by pipeline operators (|). Each pipeline operator sends the results of the preceding command as input to the next command.

PowerShell cmdlet

A single command that participates in the pipeline semantics of PowerShell. This includes binary (C#) cmdlets, advanced script functions, CDXML, and Workflows.

PowerShell command

The elements in a pipeline that cause an action to be carried out. PowerShell commands are either typed at the keyboard or invoked programmatically.

PowerShell data file

A text file that has the .psd1 file extension. PowerShell uses data files for various purposes such as storing module manifest data and storing translated strings for script internationalization.

PowerShell drive

A virtual drive that provides direct access to a data store. It can be defined by a PowerShell provider or created at the command line. Drives created at the command line are session-specific drives and are lost when the session is closed.

provider

A Microsoft .NET Framework-based program that makes the data in a specialized data store available in PowerShell so that you can view and manage it.

PSSession

A type of PowerShell session that's created, managed, and closed by the user.

R

root module

The module specified in the RootModule key in a module manifest.

runspace

In PowerShell, the operating environment in which each command in a pipeline is executed.

S

script block

In the PowerShell programming language, a collection of statements or expressions that can be used as a single unit. A script block can accept arguments and return values.

script file

A file that has the .ps1 extension and contains a script written in the PowerShell language.

script module

A PowerShell module whose root module is a script module (.psm1) file. A script module may include a module manifest. The script defines the members that the script module exports.

shell

The command interpreter that's used to pass commands to the operating system.

switch parameter

A parameter that doesn't take an argument. The value of a switch parameter defaults to $false. When a switch parameter is used, its value becomes $true.

T

terminating error

An error that stops PowerShell from processing the command.

transaction

An atomic unit of work. The work in a transaction must be completed as a whole. If any part of the transaction fails, the entire transaction fails.

type file

A PowerShell XML file that has the .types.ps1xml extension and that extends the properties of Microsoft .NET Framework types in PowerShell.

V

verb

The word that precedes the hyphen in a PowerShell cmdlet name. The verb describes the action that the cmdlet performs.

W

Windows PowerShell ISE

The Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE) - A Windows PowerShell host application that enables you to run commands and to write, test, and debug scripts in a friendly, syntax-colored, Unicode-compliant environment.

Windows PowerShell snap-in

A resource that defines a set of cmdlets, providers, and Microsoft .NET Framework types that can be added to the Windows PowerShell environment.

Windows PowerShell Workflow

A workflow is a sequence of programmed, connected steps that perform long-running tasks or require the coordination of multiple steps across multiple devices or managed nodes. Windows PowerShell Workflow lets IT pros and developers author sequences of multi-device management activities, or single tasks within a workflow, as workflows. Windows PowerShell Workflow lets you adapt and run both PowerShell scripts and XAML files as workflows.