Tag Archives: Wait

Start-Process

February 26, 2014 Adam

SYNOPSIS
Starts one or more processes on the local computer.

SYNTAX
Start-Process [-FilePath] <string> [[-ArgumentList] <string[]>] [-Credential <PSCredential>] [-LoadUserProfile] [-NoNewWindow] [-PassThru] [-RedirectStandardError <string>] [-RedirectStandardInput <string>] [-RedirectStandardOutput <string>] [-UseNewEnvironment] [-Wait] [-WorkingDirectory <string>] [<CommonParameters>]

Start-Process [-FilePath] <string> [[-ArgumentList] <string[]>] [-PassThru] [-Verb <string>] [-Wait] [-WindowStyle {Normal | Hidden | Minimized | Maximized}] [-WorkingDirectory <string>] [<CommonParameters>]

DESCRIPTION
Starts one or more processes on the local computer. To specify the program that runs in the process, enter an executable file or script file, or a file that can be opened by using a program on the computer. If you specify a non-executable file, Start-Process starts the program that is associated with the file, much like the Invoke-Item cmdlet.

You can use the parameters of Start-Process to specify options, such as loading a user profile, starting the process in a new window, or using alternate credentials.

PARAMETERS
-ArgumentList <string[]>
Specifies parameters or parameter values to use when starting the process. The parameter name (“Arguments”) is optional.

        Required?                    false
        Position?                    2
        Default value                None
        Accept pipeline input?     false
        Accept wildcard characters? false

-Credential <PSCredential>
Specifies a user account that has permission to perform this action. Type a user-name, such as “User01” or “Domain01\User01”, or enter a PSCredential object, such as one from the Get-Credential cmdlet. By default, the cmdlet uses the credentials of the current user.

        Required?                    false
        Position?                    named
        Default value                Current user.
        Accept pipeline input?     false
        Accept wildcard characters? false

-FilePath <string>
Specifies the path (optional) and file name of the program that runs in the process. Enter the name of an executable file or of a document, such as a .txt or .doc file, that is associated with a program on the computer. This parameter is required.

If you specify only a file name, use the WorkingDirectory parameter to specify the path.

        Required?                    true
        Position?                    1
        Default value
        Accept pipeline input?     false
        Accept wildcard characters? false

-LoadUserProfile [<SwitchParameter>]
Loads the Windows user profile stored in the HKEY_USERS Registry key for the current user. The default value is FALSE.

This parameter does not affect the Windows PowerShell profiles. (See about_profiles.)

        Required?                    false
        Position?                    named
        Default value                False
        Accept pipeline input?     false
        Accept wildcard characters? false

-NoNewWindow [<SwitchParameter>]
Prevents the process from running in a new window. By default, the process runs in a new window.

-PassThru [<SwitchParameter>]
Returns a process object for each process that the cmdlet started. By default, this cmdlet does not generate any output.

-RedirectStandardError <string>
Sends any errors generated by the process to a file that you specify. Enter the path and file name. By default, the errors are displayed in the console.

        Required?                    false
        Position?                    named
        Default value                Errors are displayed in the console
        Accept pipeline input?     false
        Accept wildcard characters? false

-RedirectStandardInput <string>
Reads input from the specified file. Enter the path and file name of the input file. By default, the process gets its input from the keyboard.

        Required?                    false
        Position?                    named
        Default value                Keyboard
        Accept pipeline input?     false
        Accept wildcard characters? false

-RedirectStandardOutput <string>
Sends the output generated by the process to a file that you specify. Enter the path and file name. By default, the output is displayed in the console.

        Required?                    false
        Position?                    named
        Default value                FALSE
        Accept pipeline input?     false
        Accept wildcard characters? false

-UseNewEnvironment [<SwitchParameter>]
Use new Environment Variables specified for the process. By default, the started process runs with the Environment Variables specified for the computer and user.

-Verb <string>
Specifies a verb to be used when starting the process, such as Edit, Open, or Print.

Each file type has a set of verbs that you can use. To find the verbs that can be used with the process, use the Verbs property of the object.

        Required?                    false
        Position?                    named
        Default value
        Accept pipeline input?     false
        Accept wildcard characters? false

-Wait [<SwitchParameter>]
Waits for the specified process to complete before accepting more input. This parameter suppresses the command prompt or retains the window until the process completes.

-WindowStyle <ProcessWindowStyle>
Specifies the state of the windows used for the process. Valid values are Normal, Hidden, Minimized, and Maximized. The default value is Normal.

        Required?                    false
        Position?                    named
        Default value                Normal
        Accept pipeline input?     false
        Accept wildcard characters? false

-WorkingDirectory <string>
Specifies the location of the executable file or document that runs in the process. The default is the current directory.

        Required?                    false
        Position?                    named
        Default value                Current directory
        Accept pipeline input?     false
        Accept wildcard characters? false

    <CommonParameters>
        This cmdlet supports the common parameters: Verbose, Debug,
        ErrorAction, ErrorVariable, WarningAction, WarningVariable,
        OutBuffer and OutVariable. For more information, type,
        “Get-Help about_CommonParameters“.

INPUTS
None
You cannot pipe input to Start-Process.

OUTPUTS
None or System.Diagnostics.Process
When you use the PassThru parameter, Start-Process generates a System.Diagnostics.Process. Otherwise, this cmdlet does not return any output.

NOTES

This cmdlet is implemented by using the Start method of the System.Diagnostics,Process class. For more information about this method, see “Process.Start Method” in the MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) library at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=143602.

————————– EXAMPLE 1 ————————–

C:\PS>Start-Process sort.exe

    Description
    ———–
    This command starts a process that uses the Sort.exe file in the current directory. The command uses all of the default values, including the default window style, working directory, and credentials.

————————– EXAMPLE 2 ————————–

C:\PS>Start-Process myfile.txt -WorkingDirectory “C:\PS-Test” -verb Print

    Description
    ———–
    This command starts a process that prints the C:\PS-Test\MyFile.txt file.

————————– EXAMPLE 3 ————————–

C:\PS>Start-Process Sort.exe -RedirectStandardInput Testsort.txt -RedirectStandardOutput Sorted.txt -RedirectStandardError SortError.txt -UseNewEnvironment

    Description
    ———–
    This command starts a process that sorts items in the Testsort.txt file and returns the sorted items in the Sorted.txt files. Any errors are written to the SortError.txt file.

The UseNewEnvironment parameter specifies that the process runs with its own Environment Variables.

————————– EXAMPLE 4 ————————–

C:\PS>Start-Process notepad -Wait -windowstyle Maximized

    Description
    ———–
    This command starts the Notepad process. It maximizes the window and retains the window until the process completes.

RELATED LINKS
    Online version: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=135261
    Start-Service
    Get-Process
    Stop-Process
    Wait-Process
    Debug-Process

cmdlet, Content, Get

Get-Content

February 26, 2014 Adam

NAME
Get-Content

SYNOPSIS
Gets the content of the item at the specified location.

SYNTAX
Get-Content [-LiteralPath] <string[]> [-Credential <PSCredential>] [-Exclude <string[]>] [-Filter <string>] [-Force] [-Include <string[]>] [-ReadCount <Int64>] [-TotalCount <Int64>] [-UseTransaction] [<CommonParameters>]

Get-Content [-Path] <string[]> [-Credential <PSCredential>] [-Exclude <string[]>] [-Filter <string>] [-Force] [-Include <string[]>] [-ReadCount <Int64>] [-TotalCount <Int64>] [-UseTransaction] [<CommonParameters>]

DESCRIPTION
The Get-Content cmdlet gets the content of the item at the location specified by the path, such as the text in a file. It reads the content one line at a time and returns an object for each line.

PARAMETERS
-Credential <PSCredential>
Specifies a user account that has permission to perform this action. The default is the current user.

Type a user name, such as “User01” or “Domain01\User01”, or enter a PSCredential object, such as one generated by the Get-Credential cmdlet. If you type a user name, you will be prompted for a password.

This parameter is not supported by any providers that are installed with Windows PowerShell.

        Required?                    false
        Position?                    named
        Default value
        Accept pipeline input?     true (ByPropertyName)
        Accept wildcard characters? false

-Exclude <string[]>
Omits the specified items. The value of this parameter qualifies the Path parameter. Enter a path element or pattern, such as “*.txt”. Wildcards are permitted.

        Required?                    false
        Position?                    named
        Default value
        Accept pipeline input?     false
        Accept wildcard characters? false

-Filter <string>
Specifies a filter in the provider’s format or language. The value of this parameter qualifies the Path parameter. The syntax of the filter, including the use of wildcards, depends on the provider. Filters are more efficient than other parameters, because the provider applies them when retrieving the objects, rather than having Windows PowerShell filter the objects after they are retrieved.

        Required?                    false
        Position?                    named
        Default value
        Accept pipeline input?     false
        Accept wildcard characters? false

-Force [<SwitchParameter>]
Overrides restrictions that prevent the command from succeeding, just so the changes do not compromise security. For example, Force will override the read-only attribute or create directories to complete a file path, but it will not attempt to change file permissions.

        Required?                    false
        Position?                    named
        Default value
        Accept pipeline input?     false
        Accept wildcard characters? false

-Include <string[]>
Retrieves only the specified items. The value of this parameter qualifies the Path parameter. Enter a path element or pattern, such as “*.txt”. Wildcards are permitted.

        Required?                    false
        Position?                    named
        Default value
        Accept pipeline input?     false
        Accept wildcard characters? false

-LiteralPath <string[]>
Specifies the path to an item. Unlike Path, the value of LiteralPath is used exactly as it is typed. No characters are interpreted as wildcards. If the path includes escape characters, enclose it in single quotation marks. Single quotation marks tell Windows PowerShell not to interpret any characters as escape sequences.

        Required?                    true
        Position?                    1
        Default value
        Accept pipeline input?     true (ByPropertyName)
        Accept wildcard characters? false

-Path <string[]>
Specifies the path to an item. Get-Content retrieves the content of the item. Wildcards are permitted. The parameter name (“Path” or “FilePath”) is optional.

        Required?                    true
        Position?                    1
        Default value
        Accept pipeline input?     true (ByPropertyName)
        Accept wildcard characters? false

-ReadCount <Int64>
Specifies how many lines of content are sent through the pipeline at a time. The default value is 1. A value of 0 (zero) sends all of the content at one time.

This parameter does not change the content displayed, but it does affect the time it takes to display the content. As the value of ReadCount increases, the time it takes to return the first line increases, but the total time for the operation decreases. This can make a perceptible difference in very large items.

        Required?                    false
        Position?                    named
        Default value
        Accept pipeline input?     true (ByPropertyName)
        Accept wildcard characters? false

-TotalCount <Int64>
Specifies how many lines of content are retrieved. The default is -1 (all lines).

        Required?                    false
        Position?                    named
        Default value
        Accept pipeline input?     true (ByPropertyName)
        Accept wildcard characters? false

-UseTransaction [<SwitchParameter>]
Includes the command in the active transaction. This parameter is valid only when a transaction is in progress. For more information, see about_transactions.

        Required?                    false
        Position?                    named
        Default value
        Accept pipeline input?     false
        Accept wildcard characters? false

INPUTS
None
You cannot pipe input to Get-Content.

OUTPUTS
Object
Get-Content returns objects that represent the content that it gets. The object type depends on the content type.

NOTES

You can also refer to Get-Content by its built-in Aliases, “cat”, “type” and “gc”. For more information, see about_aliases.

The Get-Content cmdlet is designed to work with the data exposed by any provider. To list the providers available in your session, type “Get-PSProvider“. For more information, see about_providers.

————————– EXAMPLE 1 ————————–

C:\PS>Get-Content -Path C:\Chapters\chapter1.txt

    Description
    ———–
    This command displays the content of the Chapter1.txt file on the console. It uses the Path parameter to specify the name of the item. Get-Content actually passes the content down the pipeline, but because there are no other pipeline elements, the content is formatted and displayed on the console.

————————– EXAMPLE 2 ————————–

C:\PS>Get-Content c:\Logs\Log060912.txt -TotalCount 50 | Set-Content sample.txt

    Description
    ———–
    This command gets the first 50 lines of the Log060912.txt file and stores them in the sample.txt file. The command uses the Get-Content cmdlet to get the text in the file. (The name of Path parameter, which is optional, is omitted.) The TotalCount parameter limits the retrieval to the first 50 lines. The pipeline operator (|) sends the result to Set-Content, which places it in the sample.txt file.

————————– EXAMPLE 3 ————————–

C:\PS>(Get-Content cmdlets.txt -TotalCount 5)[-1]

    Description
    ———–
    This command gets the fifth line of the Cmdlets.txt text file. It uses the TotalCount parameter to get the first five lines and then uses array notation to get the last line (indicated by “-1”) of the resulting set.

RELATED LINKS
    Online version: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=113310
    about_providers
    Add-Content
    Set-Content
    Clear-Content