A cmdlet is a native PowerShell command-line utility for performing a focused operation. Cmdlets exist inside PowerShell and are typically written in a .NET language. They belong to the broader category of commands, which also includes functions and external applications. section 3.1 section 4.4
Recognize cmdlets by their consistent naming and command syntax:
- Use a standard verb, a dash, and a singular noun: Get-Process, Stop-Process, or Start-Job. section 4.4
- Treat command as the general term; functions use PowerShell’s scripting language, while applications are external executables. section 3.1 section 4.4
- Read parameters as part of the command’s full-form syntax; parameter names begin with a dash, and switch parameters need no value. section 4.3
Discover event-related cmdlets
Run Help *event* or Help *object* to search available help topics. A result such as Get-Event, Register-ObjectEvent, or Wait-Event identifies the item’s category as Cmdlet. Then run Help Register-ObjectEvent to study its usage. section 3.4
Help *event* Help *object*
Search broadly with wildcard terms when you do not yet know a cmdlet’s name. section 3.4
