In Microsoft PowerShell, commands are commonly referred to as 'cmdlets'. A cmdlet is a lightweight command that is used in the PowerShell environment. Although they are similar to traditional commands in Command Prompt or other shell environments, they are unique in several ways:
Structure : Cmdlets follow a verb-noun naming convention, making them easy to identify and understand. For example, Get-Process retrieves information about processes that are running on a computer.
Consistency : The consistent naming helps users understand their purpose right away. The verb part of the cmdlet indicates the action (e.g., Get, Set, Remove), while the noun indicates the resource or object being acted upon.
Functionality : Cmdlets are designed to perform a specific function and are more robust than simple command-line commands. They can take input directly from the command line, accept arguments, or receive input from pipelines, enabling users to chain cmdlets together to perform complex tasks.
Use in Scripts : PowerShell scripts often make use of cmdlets to automate tasks, manage system configurations, or extract data. This makes cmdlets essential tools for system administrators and IT professionals who manage large environments.
Overall, cmdlets are a powerful feature of PowerShell, enhancing its utility and scalability as an automation and scripting environment.