PowerShell FAQ
==============

What is PowerShell?
-------------------
PowerShell is a task automation and configuration management framework from Microsoft, consisting of a command-line shell and associated scripting language. 

Why use PowerShell?
-------------------
✔️ it's **powerful**: fully control your computer

✔️ it's **cross-platform**: available for Linux, Mac OS and Windows

✔️ it's **open-source and free**: see the Github repository at https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell 

✔️ it's **easy to learn**: see the tutorial for beginners at https://www.guru99.com/powershell-tutorial.html

✔️ it's **fully documented**: see the PowerShell documentation at https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/

How to get PowerShell?
----------------------
* **Windows 7 and newer** provides PowerShell by default. However, script execution is **disallowed by default** (execution policy is "restricted"). To enable this, enter as administrator:
   ```
   PS> Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned
   ```
* **On CentOS, Debian, Docker, Fedora, macOS, openSUSE, Red Hat, Ubuntu** visit https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell for installation.
* **On Linux supporting Snaps** install PowerShell by executing:
   ```
   $ snap install PowerShell
   $ ln -s /snap/bin/pwsh /usr/bin/pwsh
   ```

How to get the PowerShell Scripts?
----------------------------------
* Git users execute: `$ git clone https://github.com/fleschutz/PowerShell`
* otherwise download and unzip: https://github.com/fleschutz/PowerShell/archive/master.zip


Why do some scripts show gibberish characters?
----------------------------------------------
Those PowerShell scripts are using Unicode characters. Use a modern console supporting UTF-8 such as Windows Terminal, please.


How to set PowerShell as default shell on Linux?
------------------------------------------------
Make sure PowerShell is installed, then execute: `chsh -s /usr/bin/pwsh <username>`. In case you experience an "invalid shell" error, add "/usr/bin/pwsh" to /etc/shells.


How to add the scripts to the search path?
------------------------------------------
Want to use the PowerShell scripts everywhere on the command-line? Then you need to add the Scripts/ subfolder to the search path:

* **On Linux using Bash:** edit .profile in your home directory and add the line: PATH="$PATH:/path/to/PowerShell/Scripts"
* **On Windows:** open the environment variables dialogue and add the full path to Scripts/ to the system environment variable "Path"


How to use PowerShell in Windows context menus?
-----------------------------------------------
* to enable "right-click > New > Windows PowerShell Script" execute `Add_ps1_to_New_context_menu.reg` in subfolder [Data/](../Data)
* to disable this execute `Remove_ps1_from_New_context_menu.reg` in subfolder [Data/](../Data)


How to execute PowerShell scripts by voice?
-------------------------------------------
1. Download and install *Serenade* from https://serenade.ai/.
2. Download and install the *PowerShell Scripts*, then set the search path to it.
3. Execute once: `./export-to-serenade.ps1 computer` (this creates a custom JavaScript file at `$HOME/.serenade/scripts/PowerShell.js` using the wake word 'computer').
4. Launch *Serenade* and click the Pause button to enable Listening mode.
5. Launch *Windows Terminal* and click into the window.
6. Say: `Computer, open calculator` (this launches the calculator application by executing the PowerShell script `open-calculator.ps1`).

See the [list of supported voice commands](VoiceCommands.md) for more information.


Which editor to use for PowerShell scripts?
-------------------------------------------
* *PowerShell ISE* (Integrated Scripting Environment) - Official PowerShell development environment included with Microsoft Windows.
* *Visual Studio Code* - Supporting syntax highlighting, on-the-fly problem checking and an integrated PowerShell Console (available for free on Linux, Mac OS and Windows).
* *PowerShell Studio* - Powerful PowerShell IDE with module, help, and user interface development tools, high DPI support and regular updates.
* *PowerShell Plus* - All in one IDE.
* *Atom package* - Add-on with PowerShell language support for Atom.
* *SublimeText package* - Add-on with PowerShell language support for Sublime Text.
* or simply use your *favorite text editor*


How to write good PowerShell scripts?
-------------------------------------
Good PowerShell scripts are user-friendly and platform-independant. As a guideline follow these rules, please:

1. the filename is named using the `<verb>-<object>.ps1` scheme
2. the encoding is UTF-8-BOM to provide Unicode character support
3. the script has execute file permissions: chmod a+rx <file> (for Linux support)
4. the script provides a comment-based help with synopsis, description, parameters, link, author, and license
5. check the requirements (e.g. #Requires -RunAsAdministrator, or #Requires -Version 3)
6. prefer command-line options, else ask the user for help
7. recommended is `Set-StrictMode -Version Latest` to enable additional error checking
8. for readibility use UpperCamelCase for variables and functions, lowerCamelCase for everything else
9. on error call write-error with keyword "ERROR:" (to support log parsers) and exit the error code (mostly 1)
10. on success exit with error code 0 (exit 0)


Want to contribute or found a bug or issue?
-------------------------------------------
If you find something bad (like a bug, error, or any issue), please report it here by open an Issue.

Or even better: Fork the repository, add or fix the script and submit a pull request, so others can participate too.  


Your question is not answered here?
-----------------------------------
Send your question to: markus [at] fleschutz [dot] de