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Get-Variable

As explained in Practical Automation with PowerShell: Effective scripting from the console to the cloud

Get-Variable is a PowerShell cmdlet that retrieves variables and their values from a session.

Get-Variable retrieves a session variable's value by name. In cross-platform functions, it checks IsLinux, IsMacOS, or IsWindows while preserving a seam for tests that cannot replace read-only variables directly. section 14.1.2

Select an operating-system branch

Use Get-Variable with -ValueOnly before running platform-specific commands; the function can then collect Linux system information or warn when macOS support is unavailable. section 14.1.2

How Practical Automation with PowerShell: Effective scripting from the console to the cloud covers it

How deep it goes
Explains named retrieval, -ValueOnly behavior, and test seams, but does not develop general variable-management techniques.
Examples
Demonstrates IsLinux, IsMacOS, and IsWindows checks inside a reusable system-information function.
What it assumes
Assumes familiarity with PowerShell commands, variables, functions, and conditional branches.
What you can do after
Apply Get-Variable to inspect platform state and mock variable-based decisions during tests.
How it connects
Connects PowerShell variables with mocking, read-only variables, cross-platform scripting, and operating-system detection.
Cover of Practical Automation with PowerShell: Effective scripting from the console to the cloud
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Related concepts

This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Practical Automation with PowerShell: Effective scripting from the console to the cloud. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.