Creating a Markdown File Analyzer
I am always looking for ways to use PowerShell. The other day, I found the seeds for a new project in my Inbox. As you know, I use a platform from...
Are You Sure You Want to Do This?
I know I've written before about adding support for -WhatIf to your PowerShell commands. However, I'm not sure I've fully covered the related topic of...
PowerShell Potluck - May 2025
Here we are again at the end of another month. I hope you found a few useful bits of information this month. If you are a free subscriber, I hope you'll...
A Module Measurement Scripting Solution
At the end of last month I left you with a PowerShell scripting challenge. This is a great way to flex your scripting muscles and hopefully learn something...
PowerShell Scripting Automatic Variables
A quick reminder that if you need to manage your subscription, use the links in the footer of this email. Last time, we looked at a variety of automatic...
PowerShell Automatic Variables
I hope you've been working on last month's scripting challenge. I'll have a solution next week. When using PowerShell, either in an interactive console...
More PowerShell Parameter Validations
Let's continue our exploration of lesser known PowerShell parameter and validation attributes. I trust most of you are familiar with [ValidateSet()],...
More PowerShell Parameter Attributes
When you write a PowerShell function, you need to pay close attention to the parameters you define. The attributes you use can greatly affect how your...
More Scheming with JSON
Last time we started looking into creating JSON schemas. This is a great way to validate JSON data and ensure the file is in the correct format with the...
Scheming with JSON
Today's topic is something I've had on my list for quite awhile. I thought I had already written about it because I found notes from 2023. However, as far as...
PowerShell Potluck April 2025
I hope you learned a few things from this month's content. Let's wrap up with a potluck of PowerShell goodies. PSPodcast As I was hanging out at the bar on...
Solving the Caesar Cipher
It is time to review a solution to last month's scripting challenge. I really hope you are at least starting the challenge. My challenges are intended to get...
Serious Serialization
Today's topic also comes from something that came across my social media stream. The question was ostensibly about one thing, but it was really about...
Creating Select-String Tools
In the previous article, I demonstrated how to take advantage of the Select-String cmdlet. This is the PowerShell version of grep. However, that doesn't mean...
Searching for Strings
Recently, I saw a message on social media about the struggles of working with Select-String in PowerShell. This is a useful cmdlet, but I'll admit it can be...
Control Scripting
I've spent a few issues reviewing how I built a PowerShell tool to insert text into a graphic image. The function I wrote and demonstrated last time, will...
Creating Image Markup Tools Part 3
At the end of the last newsletter, I demonstrated my basic function for inserting text into an image. Add-TextToImage c:\scripts\db.png -Text "FooFoo" -Size...
Creating Image Markup Tools Part 2
Let's continue the toolmaking process from the last few articles. I want to create a tool that will let me insert text into an image. Ultimately, I want to...
Creating Image Markup Tools
In the previous article in this series, I demonstrated how to use PowerShell and the .NET Framework to add a layer of text to an image. I eventually want to...
March 2025 PowerShell Potluck
Welcome back to another monthly PowerShell round-up. We skipped February. Let's see what's new in the PowerShell world that might interest you. RunAs Radio I...
Marking Up Images with PowerShell
Today, I want to return to my set of PowerShell tools for managing my MuseScore projects. If you recall, many of my scores have a cover image which I also...
Getting Started with pwshSpectreConsole
To wrap up the week, I thought I'd leave you with something fun. Although, you might be tempted to while away a few hours this weekend playing with it. I...
Drag and Drop PowerShell
Today I'm going back to my old school DOS batch file days and bring back an automation technique to the PowerShell world. Let me show you how to bring drag...
PowerShell Tag
Let's continue my process of using PowerShell to manage my MuseScore related files. Obviously, I don't expect you to need to do this, but I am trusting you...
Extending PowerShell Objects with ScriptMethods
We're in the midst of building a tool set to help me manage my MuseScore files. You should be able to apply the techniques and concepts to your work,...
More Tooling with PowerShell
In the last article, I started sharing my experiences in build a set of PowerShell tools to help my manage my MuseScore scores. I was able to extract score...
Tooling Around with PowerShell
It is a brand new month which means a lot of new content heading your way. Before we get to that, I have a few housekeeping items. First, as I mentioned in...
A Secret Scripting Solution
This month, I'm going to skip the typical wrap-up issue. I have a few general items, but mostly I want to focus on a solution to last month's scripting...
Extending PowerShell TypeData
In the last newsletter, I demonstrated how to use Add-Member to define new properties and methods on objects. This an alternative to using custom hashtables...
Are You My Type?
Even though PowerShell is built on the .NET Framework, you have never been required to be a .NET developer to use PowerShell. Microsoft designed PowerShell...
Getting Started with Polyglot Notebooks
Today's topic is a little outside the box. This isn't necessarily a PowerShell topic, but one I think you might get value from. I want to give you a brief...
ForEach vs. ForEach
I know I cover some advanced topics in this newsletter, which I know for some of you can be a bit overwhelming. I'll admit that I am often uncertain about...
Discovering PowerShell DNS Management
Not too long ago, a reader asked how to use PowerShell to manage DNS. Normally, I keep the newsletter content more broadly focused on PowerShell. I tend not...
Winget Package Management with PowerShell
I've been sharing my thoughts and code for managing my work environment with PowerShell. It's not that I am paranoid about security, but I like having...
Behind the PowerShell Pipeline - The Book
I've been writing this newsletter going on three years, and I'm deeply appreciative of those of you who have been with me from the beginning. In order to...
More Module Management
Last time, we started looking at PowerShell techniques to manage PowerShell modules. Even though I know how to use the commands in the...
January 2025 PowerShell Potluck
Time to wrap up the first month of the new year. I hope you are off to a good start. I have a few things to share with you this month. Top Process Recently,...
A PowerShell Scripting Solution for December 2024
At the end of last month, I left you with another PowerShell scripting challenge. It was admittedly a difficult challenge. But I gave you a few suggestions....
Module and Package Management Tools
When I started my IT career, we didn't have to worry much about the pace of change. Operating systems were released on a 3 to 5-year cycle, and software...
Positioning with the PowerShell AST
I've been slowly diving into the world of the PowerShell Abstract Syntax Tree (AST). In the last issue, we looked at parsing PowerShell input. I demonstrated...
PowerShell Parsing and Processing
Let's continue diving down the rabbit hole to see what we can do with the PowerShell Abstract Syntax Tree (AST). And believe me, this is a very deep rabbit...
Creating AST-Based PowerShell Tools
Over the last few articles, we've been exploring the world of Abstract Syntax Trees (ASTs) in PowerShell. We've seen how to parse PowerShell scripts into...
Climbing Higher in the Abstract Syntax Tree
We've started an exploration of using the Abstract Syntax Tree` (AST) to analyze PowerShell code. You can use the AST to dissect PowerShell code to its...
Going Out on a Limb on the Abstract Syntax Tree
I thought I'd start out the new year by revisiting a topic I haven't covered in quite awhile. This is a topic that definitely fits the theme of this...
PowerShell Potluck December 2024
You've done it. You've reached the end of another month and for that matter, an entire year of hopefully interesting and useful PowerShell content. I'll keep...
A Profile Scripting Challenge Solution
Because of the Christmas holiday this week, I'm sending this out a little early, and there will only be one issue this week. 🎁 I hope you have a wonderful...
Creating GitHub Extension PowerShell Tools
In the last newsletter, I introduced you to extensions in the gh.exe command-line tool for managing GitHub. I showed you some PowerShell code I had written...
Extending the GitHub CLI
I know I've mentioned the GitHub command line tool, gh.exe, in the past. This is a great tool for working with GitHub repositories from the command line. I...
Taking It Apart with PowerShell
In the last issue, I explored techniques and concepts for putting things together with PowerShell. This time, I'm going to take things apart. There's nothing...
Putting It Together in PowerShell
It should come as no surprise that we often use PowerShell to build things, and I mean more than custom object output. We often need to build strings,...