Is it possible to include standalone functions into cmdlet?

PowerShell Help
1

Hello,

I have written cmdlet with several functions inside. Problem is that it’s very difficult to debug and deploy. Is it possible to have some sort of placeholder for cmdlet and just specify where separate PS1 files are which will included in cmdlet, so during runtime when cmdlet is compiled it will pull those resources in. And I still would be able to debug/troubleshoot individual pieces as functions and deploy them separate from main cmdlet placeholder. Kind of what ASP include files are.

G

2

If you have common functions that you use over and over again, you should consider making them a Module.. Once you’ve converted them to a module, you can install the module as required and reference it in your scripts and\or import it with your Powershell profile.

The functions would not need to inside the script or function cluttering it up, however, keep in mind that your script(s) won’t work without the reference module. Make sure the Module is stored centrally and documented in your script where to actually get the Module.

3

So I create one module placeholder and use import-module for all my small ones inside it or how it’s going to work?
For example I have module and defined 2 functions there CleanFiles and ResetIIS. I want to debug/develop CleanFiles and ResetIIS separately.
How would I structure such deployment?

4

If your company was Tech Corp. You have functions you’ve created (which should be named using approved Powershell verbs). For instance, you have Reset-TcIIS and you create a module TCAdmin and place all of the functions that you use for administering of Tech Corp in this module (or a certain product\vendor\etc.). When you write scripts, you can then do:

function Do-Something {
    Reset-TcIIS -Param
    Start-TcFileClean -Force

}

Import-Module TCAdmin
Do-Something

If the functions are specific to a particular product or support administration of a particular product, you can create separate modules.

5

I have a little the other way around requirement. I have TCAdmin module with 2 functions defined there like you mentioned called Reset-TCIIS and Start-TCFileClean.
I’d like those 2 functions to be in separate files as functions (like PS1 files) so I can edit them and debug them like normal powershell scripts. Is it possible?

6

You would have a TCAdmin.PSM1 file. You could open this file in ISE and update\debug the file as required. You can also use a central file share for the module:

http://blogs.technet.com/b/heyscriptingguy/archive/2012/11/08/powertip-import-a-powershell-module-from-a-shared-location.aspx

7

Yes, that’s what I have now (central file share and module being load in default profile).
Issue is that not editing but debugging module. I did now find effective way to debug modules the same way it’s easily can be done with PS1 files. For example in IDE of PowerGUI I can specify which parameters I want to pass to function I’m currently debugging in PS1 file but there is no such way for a module. Can I dot source PS1 file in module or something which will allow me to utilize PS1 files with functions inside them as part of the module. Something to the tune of :

  1. I will have Reset-TCiis.ps1 file and function inside that file to be part of TCAdman.psm1 file. So whenever I do Import-Module TCAdmin it will pull Reset-TCiis.ps1 and export function inside it like an available cmdlet?
8

GS, you can have one psm1 file and several /ps1 files on your module
in psm you import all soirce files like this
# dot-source all function files
Get-ChildItem -Path $PSScriptRoot*.ps1 | Foreach-Object{ . $_.FullName }
Export-ModuleMember –Function Reset-TcIIS, Start-TcFileClean
and of course you can debug each of it separately dot sourcing it one by one

or you cn debug it this way:
you write

Reset-TcIIS.ps1 as
function Reset-TcIIS {
[…]
}

run function code with all needed parameters

ResetTcIIS -force -computername host1

after debugging you just remove or comment out last line and move file to module folder