What's In a Name
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose/ By any other name would smell as sweet.” - Romeo and Juliet I’m sure you are familiar with Shakespeare’s...
Collection Function Homework
A few weeks ago, I shared my code utilizing generic collections to encode a text file by reversing each line and the entire file. The point of the exercise...
Scoping Out PowerShell Problems
One of the challenges facing beginner PowerShell scripters is the concept of scope. I recall when I first learned PowerShell struggling to get my head...
Optimizing PowerShell Objects
I recently posted an article on my blog about formatting property names from a Directory Searcher result. While that article and its accompanying code were...
The Collections Script Challenge
A few weeks ago, I published an article on using generic collections in place of arrays. Arrays still have a place in your PowerShell scripting toolbox. But...
Creating User Friendly Code
As you write PowerShell scripts and functions, I encourage you to think about who will be using your code and their expectations. Even if the user will be...
Collections in Action
In the last article, I introduced the generic collection, a terrific alternative to using an array. Especially if you need to modify the array contents. A...
Arrays and Collections
I do not doubt that you have used arrays in your PowerShell work. You might have created an array to hold the results of a PowerShell command at the console...
Best Practices Make Perfect
Over the last several weeks, I've been sharing and demonstrating techniques for writing effective PowerShell functions. I know I've mentioned a few...
Pipeline Possibilities
In the previous article, I demonstrated how to add pipeline binding to your advanced PowerShell function. There is nothing wrong with writing a simple...
Advancing Your Functions
I hope you've been enjoying this series of articles looking at how to build a PowerShell function. If you are a PowerShell beginner and can write a function...
Extending a PowerShell Function
If you’ve been keeping up with the articles, you’ve seen how I went from a script block to a basic PowerShell function. This is a stand-alone function,...
More Basic Function Building
In the last article, I demonstrated how to add parameters to a basic PowerShell function. Well-crafter parameters make your code flexible, re-usable, and...
Parameterizing the Basic Function
In the last article, I showed you how to create a basic PowerShell function from a script block. A function at its core is nothing more than a script block...
Creating Basic Functions
In a previous post, we looked at creating and using script blocks in PowerShell. As you’ll discover, these are the building blocks of PowerShell functions....
Building with Script Blocks
Photo by Ryan Fields on Unsplash This month we’re going to dive deeper into PowerShell functions. A reader asked for more content on this topic, and I am...
Building a PowerShell Module
I hope you’ll indulge me and accept a slight deviation from the regular content. But this is something you might be interested in attending, and unless you...
Richer Logging for PowerShell
Over the last several articles, I’ve demonstrated the importance of thinking about objects when creating PowerShell scripts. Once you get your head around...
Creating Better PowerShell Output - Practicum
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been writing about improving your PowerShell code. PowerShell functions should do one thing and write one type of object to the...
Creating Better PowerShell Output Part 2
Last time, I started to explain good construction techniques for your PowerShell code. We’re going to continue this topic by looking at what should be a...
Practical PowerShell Questions
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Creating Better PowerShell Output Part 1
There are some crucial guidelines you should follow when creating PowerShell-based tools. Presumably, you’ve written a PowerShell function that does...
Logging PowerShell Profiles
Last month we dove into the world of PowerShell profile scripts. These configuration scripts run automatically every time you start a PowerShell session. As...
Automation Decisions
I’ve been scripting and automating things since the days of DOS 3.3, beginning with batch files. It always felt like magic. I could cast a charm simply by...
Synchronized PowerShell Profiles
Today I want to look at another aspect of PowerShell profile scripts that you may not have considered. I’ll admit this scenario doesn’t fit everyone, but...
Pick Jeff's Brain - February 2022
Here’s my monthly brain dump, including items from subscribers like you. If you have a question, problem, or topic you’d like me to cover, you can use the...
Managing PowerShell Profiles
Let’s continue our exploration of PowerShell profile scripts and discover how to take advantage of them. A well-designed set of profile scripts can make you...
Remote PowerShell Profiles
In the last article, I explained where PowerShell profile scripts come from and how to use them. There is, however, one area where you might make a wrong...
Understanding PowerShell Profiles
I’ve been covering the relationship between PowerShell and the hosting application. One item I want to dive into deeper is the PowerShell profile script....
Ask Away
I want to publish an AMA or “Pick Jeff’s Brain” type of post by the end of the month. I’m sure there is something about PowerShell you’ve always wondered...
PowerShell Private Data
In an earlier article, we looked at the relationship between PowerShell and the hosting application. One aspect of this relationship determines how some...
About This Newsletter
While I appreciate you taking the time to subscribe for free, you will most likely miss out on a lot of content, so I wanted to take a few moments to provide...
January Tips
Because this newsletter is just getting going and the subscriber base is still small, in place of the monthly AMA, also known as “Pick Jeff’s Brain,” I...
I will be your host...
One concept that stymies many PowerShell beginners is the PowerShell Host. There is a relationship between the PowerShell engine and the host. PowerShell...
When Is an Array Not an Array?
You naturally want to leverage the PowerShell pipeline when you work with PowerShell. That’s the whole point, after all. The typical pattern is to get a...
The Value of Objects
I expect I will write several articles about PowerShell and its relationship with objects. I know that this is the biggest hurdle for PowerShell beginners to...
Contact Information
I’ve set up the email address behind@jdhitsolutions.com for subscribers to use. I’ll collect questions for the AMA sent to this address. You are also welcome...
Proper PowerShell Practice
I apologize for my love of cheesy alliteration in my article titles. Despite my preference, I assume you will look beyond the title and consider the content....
The PowerShell Learning Experience
People often ask me about the book I co-wrote with Don Jones years ago, Learn Windows PowerShell in a Month of Lunches. Because the book was published in...
Coming Soon
Welcome to Behind the PowerShell Pipeline a subscription-based newsletter that will dive deeply into the world of PowerShell. I'll explore why and how...