Chapter 15. The PowerShell ISE and debugger

Big Julie: “I had the numbers taken off for luck, but I remember where the spots formerly were.”

Guys and Dolls, words and music by Frank Loesser

In the previous chapter, you learned how PowerShell deals with errors and how those features help you find bugs in your scripts. In this chapter, we’re going to look at more tools that help you create correct, reliable scripts. We’ll cover the graphical Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE) as well as the debugger, both of which were introduced with PowerShell v2. First, we’ll begin by covering the basic operation and usage patterns of the ISE. Next, we’ll look at customizing and extending the ISE using the object model provided for that purpose. Then, we’ll review how the debugger works within the ISE and from the command line.

15.1. The PowerShell ISE

PowerShell v2 significantly improved the PowerShell scripting experience with the introduction of the ISE. This new PowerShell host application adds many of the features expected in a modern scripting environment:

15.2. Using Multiple PowerShell Tabs

15.3. Extending the ISE

15.4. PowerShell Script Debugging Features

15.5. The PowerShell V2 Debugger

15.6. Command-Line Debugging

15.7. Summary