PowerShell Glossary

Term	Definition
binary module	A PowerShell module whose root module is a binary module file (.dll). A binary module may or may not include a module manifest.
common parameter	A parameter that is added to all cmdlets, advanced functions, and workflows by the PowerShell engine.
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 is added to a PowerShell cmdlet, function, or script under certain conditions. Cmdlets, functions, providers, and scripts can add dynamic parameters.
formatting 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.
global session state	The session state that contains the data that is accessible to the user of a PowerShell session.
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.
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.
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 list object when using the member-access operator (.) on the list object.
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 is not available to the user of a PowerShell session.
non-terminating error	An error that does not 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.
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 (|) (ASCII 124). 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 filename 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 is created, managed, and closed by the user.
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.
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 that contains a script that is written in the PowerShell language.
script module	A PowerShell module whose root module is a script module file (.psm1). A script module may or may not include a module manifest.
script module file	A file that contains a PowerShell script. The script defines the members that the script module exports. Script module files have the .psm1 filename extension.
shell	The command interpreter that is used to pass commands to the operating system.
switch parameter	A parameter that does not take an argument.
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.
types file	A PowerShell XML file that has the .ps1xml extension and that extends the properties of Microsoft .NET Framework types in PowerShell.
verb	The word that precedes the hyphen in a PowerShell cmdlet name. The verb describes the action that the cmdlet performs.
Windows PowerShell ISE	The Integrated Scripting Environment - 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.