An output tool takes data from an input or action tool and renders or exports it for a specific purpose, such as a formatted display or data file. Common verb patterns include Out, Format, ConvertTo, and Export. section 6.2
Design output tools around separate, reusable tasks:
- Retrieve and select the required data with tools such as Get-AdUser. section 6.2
- Filter the data with Where-Object rather than embedding filtering in a custom reporting tool. section 6.2
- Send the resulting objects to distinct output formats, such as CSV for parsing or HTML for display. section 6.2
One dataset, two outputs
A password-age report for service accounts can export CSV data for a SIEM while also producing an HTML report for an operations video board. Retrieval, filtering, and rendering remain discrete tasks. section 6.2
Install-WindowsFeature -Name "RSAT-AD-PowerShell" ` -IncludeAllSubFeature
Install the Active Directory PowerShell tools before using Get-AdUser in this workflow. section 6.2
