In section 3.3. Asking for help of “Learn PowerShell in 30 Days of Lunches” it states:
“Man and Help aren’t native cmdlets at all; they’re functions, which are wrappers around the core Get-Help cmdlet.”
I’ve seen the terminology “wrapper” before. I’ve searched online for a definition, but as of yet have never found one that makes any sense (at least to me). I’m not even sure if the usage of the term wrapper here is the same as the programmatic definition of wrapper - and it seems there are multiple definitions of wrapper ?
So a wrapper is a function. It made creating PowerShell eaiser. It makes working with PowerShell easier. As far as I can tell both are passing user input to Get-Help ?
There are wrappers (as you note, functions they focus normally on a specific thing) and then there are aliases (shorthand stuff).
Wrapper Functions
By contrast, a wrapper function typically focuses on a single cmdlet, but it can be customized to meet a specific need. For example, you might want to adjust parameters, or you might want to further process the results. Many of the tools you will build will most likely rely on wrapper functions.
Any function, can be assigned an alias.
When digging as aliases, PoSH give you this list natively. Aliases are just short name to the normal cmdlet. They are good for quickly do interactive sessions. Though they are not prudent for full blown scripts. Never assume that those you share scripts with, will ever know anything about aliases. If it is just you. Alias away. If you share, use the full cmdlet names.
# Get parameters, examples, full and Online help for a cmdlet or function
(Get-Command -Name Get-Content).Parameters
Get-help -Name Get-Content -Examples
Get-help -Name Get-Content -Full
Get-help -Name Get-Content -Online
Get-Help about_*
Get-Help about_Functions
# Find all cmdlets / functions with a target parameter
Get-Help * -Parameter Append
# All Help topics locations
explorer "$pshome\$($Host.CurrentCulture.Name)"
Get-Alias | Out-GridView -PassThru
Get-Alias -Definition '*Help*' | Format-Table -AutoSize
CommandType Name Version Source
----------- ---- ------- ------
Alias man -> help
Get-Alias -Definition 'Get-WmiObject' | Format-Table -AutoSize
CommandType Name Version Source
----------- ---- ------- ------
Alias gwmi -> Get-WmiObject
Get-Alias -Definition 'Get-ChildItem' | Format-Table -AutoSize
CommandType Name Version Source
----------- ---- ------- ------
Alias dir -> Get-ChildItem
Alias gci -> Get-ChildItem
Alias ls -> Get-ChildItem
Get-Command -Type Function
Get-Command -Type Cmdlet