An object type identifies the kind of object PowerShell is displaying. Formatting views use the object type name to select how that object appears, connecting runtime data to a practical presentation format. section 24.2.1
In a format definition, the object type connects several pieces:
- A view can be named after an object type, although the name itself is not what selects the view. section 24.2.1
- A TypeName element identifies the object type whose output should use the view. section 24.2.1
- The view then lists properties such as error text, line, column, and error number for display. section 24.2.1
Selecting a view by type
A view targeting System.CodeDom.Compiler.CompilerError displays ErrorText, Line, Column, ErrorNumber, and LineSource as a formatted list. The object type determines which view applies; the listed properties determine what the user sees. section 24.2.1
<View> <Name>System.CodeDom.Compiler.CompilerError</Name> #1 <ViewSelectedBy> #2 <TypeName>System.CodeDom.Compiler.CompilerError</TypeName> </ViewSelectedBy> <ListControl> #3 <ListEntries> <ListEntry> <ListItems> #4 <ListItem> <PropertyName>ErrorText</PropertyName> </ListItem> <ListItem> <PropertyName>Line</PropertyName> </ListItem> <ListItem> <PropertyName>Column</PropertyName> </ListItem> <ListItem> <PropertyName>ErrorNumber</PropertyName> </ListItem> <ListItem> <PropertyName>LineSource</PropertyName> </ListItem> </ListItems> </ListEntry> </ListEntries> </ListControl> </View>
Inspect the XML definition to see the TypeName selector and the properties chosen for an object-type view. section 24.2.1
