{"id":16541,"date":"2010-11-11T00:01:00","date_gmt":"2010-11-11T00:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.technet.microsoft.com\/heyscriptingguy\/2010\/11\/11\/use-powershell-to-work-with-the-net-framework-classes\/"},"modified":"2010-11-11T00:01:00","modified_gmt":"2010-11-11T00:01:00","slug":"use-powershell-to-work-with-the-net-framework-classes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/scripting\/use-powershell-to-work-with-the-net-framework-classes\/","title":{"rendered":"Use PowerShell to Work with the .NET Framework Classes"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

Summary:<\/b> Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to work with the .NET Framework classes and assemblies.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Hey,Hey, Scripting Guy! I want to be able to find information about services that are related to device drivers but I cannot find a Windows PowerShell cmdlet that provides that information. Is there something in the .NET Framework that can help me?<\/p>\n

— AG<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Hey,Hello AG, Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson here. One of the really cool things about the TechNet<\/a> Script Center is the Scripting Guys Script Repository<\/a>. It has come a long way since it debuted last year. Quarterly updates keep adding new features, such as the ability to select from multiple templates when you upload your script and the ability to go back in and edit the script after it is published. My favorite feature is the ability to upload a picture or even a video file to show and explain what is happening with the script. I decided to create a video to explain the script that is seen at the end of this post. <\/p>\n

AG, before I discuss services related to device drivers, we have to first examine .NET Framework assemblies and see whether they are loaded. When it comes to seeing whether a particular .NET Framework assembly is loaded, it is easiest to use the Add-Type<\/b> Windows PowerShell cmdlet, and try to load the assembly. Nothing will occur if the Add-Type<\/b> cmdlet tries to load an assembly multiple times, because .NET Framework assemblies only load once. As seen in the code here, I call the Add-Type<\/b> Windows PowerShell cmdlet three times, and nothing is displayed … neither a confirmation, nor an error. This is shown here.<\/p>\n

PS C:\\> Add-Type -AssemblyName System.ServiceProcess
PS C:\\> Add-Type -AssemblyName System.ServiceProcess
PS C:\\> Add-Type -AssemblyName System.ServiceProcess
PS C:\\><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Because no confirmation is supplied from the Add-Type<\/b> cmdlet, I sometimes wonder if the assembly loaded correctly. To check this, I generally put the .NET Framework class name (together with the .NET Framework namespace the class resides in) into a pair of square brackets. This command is seen here.<\/p>\n

PS C:\\> [System.ServiceProcess.ServiceController]<\/p>\n

IsPublic IsSerial Name                                     BaseType
——– ——– —-                                     ——–
True     False    ServiceController                        System.ComponentModel….<\/p>\n

PS C:\\><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Another way to make sure that a .NET Framework class is available is to use the GetAssembly<\/b> static method from the System.Reflection.Assembly<\/a><\/b> .NET Framework class. The namespace is System.Reflection<\/b>, and the class name is Assembly<\/b>. Static methods are always available from the class. The GetAssembly<\/b> static method requires an input object that is a type. One way to obtain a type is to cast a string into a type. This is seen here, where I store the type inside the $sc<\/i> variable, and then pass the $sc<\/i> variable to the GetAssembly<\/b> method<\/a>.<\/p>\n

PS C:\\> $sc = $sc = “System.ServiceProcess.ServiceController” -as [type]
PS C:\\> [reflection.assembly]::GetAssembly($sc)<\/p>\n

GAC    Version        Location
—    ——-        ——–
True   v2.0.50727     C:\\Windows\\assembly\\GAC_MSIL\\System.ServiceProcess\\2.0.0.0_…<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

The GetAssembly<\/b> method returns the loaded assembly as an instance of the System.Reflection.Assembly<\/b> class. This means that you can pass it to the Get-Member<\/b> Windows PowerShell cmdlet and see what methods, properties and events are available. This is seen here.<\/p>\n

PS C:\\> [reflection.assembly]::GetAssembly($sc) | Get-Member<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

   TypeName: System.Reflection.Assembly<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Name                      MemberType Definition<\/span><\/p>\n

—-                      ———- ———-<\/span><\/p>\n

ModuleResolve             Event      System.Reflection.ModuleResolveEventHandler …<\/span><\/p>\n

CreateInstance            Method     System.Object CreateInstance(string typeName…<\/span><\/p>\n

Equals                    Method     bool Equals(System.Object o)<\/span><\/p>\n

GetCustomAttributes       Method     System.Object[] GetCustomAttributes(bool inh…<\/span><\/p>\n

GetExportedTypes          Method     type[] GetExportedTypes()<\/span><\/p>\n

GetFile                   Method     System.IO.FileStream GetFile(string name)<\/span><\/p>\n

GetFiles                  Method     System.IO.FileStream[] GetFiles(), System.IO…<\/span><\/p>\n

GetHashCode               Method     int GetHashCode()<\/span><\/p>\n

GetLoadedModules          Method     System.Reflection.Module[] GetLoadedModules(…<\/span><\/p>\n

GetManifestResourceInfo   Method     System.Reflection.ManifestResourceInfo GetMa…<\/span><\/p>\n

GetManifestResourceNames  Method     string[] GetManifestResourceNames()<\/span><\/p>\n

GetManifestResourceStream Method     System.IO.Stream GetManifestResourceStream(t…<\/span><\/p>\n

GetModule                 Method     System.Reflection.Module GetModule(string name)<\/span><\/p>\n

GetModules                Method     System.Reflection.Module[] GetModules(), Sys…<\/span><\/p>\n

GetName                   Method     System.Reflection.AssemblyName GetName(), Sy…<\/span><\/p>\n

GetObjectData             Method     System.Void GetObjectData(System.Runtime.Ser…<\/span><\/p>\n

GetReferencedAssemblies   Method     System.Reflection.AssemblyName[] GetReferenc…<\/span><\/p>\n

GetSatelliteAssembly      Method     System.Reflection.Assembly GetSatelliteAssem…<\/span><\/p>\n

GetType                   Method     type GetType(string name), type GetType(stri…<\/span><\/p>\n

GetTypes                  Method     type[] GetTypes()<\/span><\/p>\n

IsDefined                 Method     bool IsDefined(type attributeType, bool inhe…<\/span><\/p>\n

LoadModule                Method     System.Reflection.Module LoadModule(string m…<\/span><\/p>\n

ToString                  Method     string ToString()<\/span><\/p>\n

CodeBase                  Property   System.String CodeBase {get;}<\/span><\/p>\n

EntryPoint                Property   System.Reflection.MethodInfo EntryPoint {get;}<\/span><\/p>\n

EscapedCodeBase           Property   System.String EscapedCodeBase {get;}<\/span><\/p>\n

Evidence                  Property   System.Security.Policy.Evidence Evidence {get;}<\/span><\/p>\n

FullName                  Property   System.String FullName {get;}<\/span><\/p>\n

GlobalAssemblyCache       Property   System.Boolean GlobalAssemblyCache {get;}<\/span><\/p>\n

HostContext               Property   System.Int64 HostContext {get;}<\/span><\/p>\n

ImageRuntimeVersion       Property   System.String ImageRuntimeVersion {get;}<\/span><\/p>\n

Location                  Property   System.String Location {get;}<\/span><\/p>\n

ManifestModule            Property   System.Reflection.Module ManifestModule {get;}<\/span><\/p>\n

ReflectionOnly            Property   System.Boolean ReflectionOnly {get;}<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

It is easy to see the values for the various properties that are shown by the Get-Member<\/b> cmdlet. All I have to do is to <\/span><\/span>pipeline<\/span><\/a> the object to the Format-List<\/b> cmdlet as shown here.<\/span><\/p>\n

PS C:\\> $sc = $sc = “System.ServiceProcess.ServiceController” -as [type]<\/span><\/p>\n

PS C:\\> [reflection.assembly]::GetAssembly($sc) | Format-List *<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

CodeBase            : file:\/\/\/C:\/Windows\/assembly\/GAC_MSIL\/System.ServiceProcess\/2.0<\/span><\/p>\n

                      .0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a\/System.ServiceProcess.dll<\/span><\/p>\n

EscapedCodeBase     : file:\/\/\/C:\/Windows\/assembly\/GAC_MSIL\/System.ServiceProcess\/2.0<\/span><\/p>\n

                      .0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a\/System.ServiceProcess.dll<\/span><\/p>\n

FullName            : System.ServiceProcess, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, Publi<\/span><\/p>\n

                      cKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a<\/span><\/p>\n

EntryPoint          :<\/span><\/p>\n

Evidence            : {<System.Security.Policy.Zone version=”1″><\/span><\/p>\n

                      <Zone>MyComputer<\/Zone><\/span><\/p>\n

                      <\/System.Security.Policy.Zone><\/span><\/p>\n

                      , <System.Security.Policy.Url version=”1″><\/span><\/p>\n

                      <Url>file:\/\/\/C:\/Windows\/assembly\/GAC_MSIL\/System.ServiceProces<\/span><\/p>\n

                      s\/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a\/System.ServiceProcess.dll<\/Url><\/span><\/p>\n

                      <\/System.Security.Policy.Url><\/span><\/p>\n

                      , <System.Security.Policy.GacInstalled version=”1″\/><\/span><\/p>\n

                      , <StrongName version=”1″<\/span><\/p>\n

                      Key=”002400000480000094000000060200000024000052534131000400000<\/span><\/p>\n

                      100010007D1FA57C4AED9F0A32E84AA0FAEFD0DE9E8FD6AEC8F87FB03766C8<\/span><\/p>\n

                      34C99921EB23BE79AD9D5DCC1DD9AD236132102900B723CF980957FC4E1771<\/span><\/p>\n

                      08FC607774F29E8320E92EA05ECE4E821C0A5EFE8F1645C4C0C93C1AB99285<\/span><\/p>\n

                      D622CAA652C1DFAD63D745D6F2DE5F17E5EAF0FC4963D261C8A12436518206<\/span><\/p>\n

                      DC093344D5AD293″<\/span><\/p>\n

                      Name=”System.ServiceProcess”<\/span><\/p>\n

                      Version=”2.0.0.0″\/><\/span><\/p>\n

                      …}<\/span><\/p>\n

ManifestModule      : System.ServiceProcess.dll<\/span><\/p>\n

ReflectionOnly      : False<\/span><\/p>\n

Location            : C:\\Windows\\assembly\\GAC_MSIL\\System.ServiceProcess\\2.0.0.0__b0<\/span><\/p>\n

                      3f5f7f11d50a3a\\System.ServiceProcess.dll<\/span><\/p>\n

ImageRuntimeVersion : v2.0.50727<\/span><\/p>\n

GlobalAssemblyCache : True<\/span><\/p>\n

HostContext         : 0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

PS C:\\><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Most of the time I do not actually need all this information. However, it is useful to see where the information is obtained and to have an idea of what information is available. I decided to use this information, to write the Get-DeviceDriverServices.ps1<\/b> script seen here.<\/p>\n

Get-DeviceDriverServices.ps1<\/strong><\/p>\n

#Requires -version 2.0
Function Get-DeviceDriverService
{
 Param(
   [string]$computer = “localhost”
 )
 Add-Type -AssemblyName System.ServiceProcess
 [System.ServiceProcess.ServiceController]::GetDevices($computer)
} #end Get-DeviceDriverService<\/p>\n

# *** Entry Point to Script ***
$computer = “localhost”
Get-DeviceDriverService -computer $computer |
Select-Object -Property name, displayname, servicetype, status,
  DependentServices, ServicesDependOn |
Out-GridView -Title “Device Driver Services”<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

The Get-DeviceDriverService<\/b> function follows Windows PowerShell best practices by using an approved verb for its name-Get. The noun for the function name is DeviceDriverService<\/b> and is not DeviceDriverServices<\/b> because Windows PowerShell prefers the single version of nouns (example Get-Process<\/b>). The input parameter, computer, is assigned a default value of localhost<\/b>  so that the function will operate against the local machine. The Add-Type<\/b> cmdlet loads the System.ServiceProcess<\/b> assembly to provide to the static GetDevices ServiceController<\/b> .NET Framework class. The complete name, System.ServiceProcess.ServiceController<\/b> is put inside the square brackets followed by two colons to enable calling the static method. The value in the $computer<\/i> variable is passed as an argument to the method. See yesterday’s<\/a> Hey Scripting Guy! blog for more information about namespaces and static methods.<\/p>\n

Function Get-DeviceDriverService
{
 Param(
   [string]$computer = “localhost”
 )
 Add-Type -AssemblyName System.ServiceProcess
 [System.ServiceProcess.ServiceController]::GetDevices($computer)
} #end Get-Devices<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

The entry point to the script assigns a value to the $computer<\/i> variable, and calls the Get-DeviceDriverService<\/b> function. The returning ServiceController<\/b> objects are pipelined to the Select-Object<\/b> cmdlet to enable selecting the properties to display in the Out-Grid<\/b> cmdlet. The Out-Grid<\/b> display pane will receive a title of “Device Driver Services.” The entry point code is shown here. <\/p>\n

$computer = “localhost”<\/span><\/p>\n

Get-DeviceDriverService -computer $computer | <\/span><\/p>\n

Select-Object -Property name, displayname, servicetype, status, <\/span><\/p>\n

  DependentServices, ServicesDependOn |<\/span><\/p>\n

Out-GridView -Title “Device Driver Services”<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

W<\/span>hen the script runs, the grid seen in the following figure appears.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By using the filter feature of the output grid, I can pinpoint just the information I am looking for. Here I choose running driver services that have dependencies, and are KernelDriver<\/b> service types. This is shown in the following figure.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The complete Get-DeviceDriverServices.ps1<\/b> script is uploaded to the Scripting Guys Script Repository<\/a>. I even decided to take advantage of a new feature of the Scripting Guys Script Repository by uploading a video! In the video, I discuss the Get-DeviceDriverServices.ps1<\/b> script and demonstrate working with the Out-GridView<\/b> control. If you use Silverlight to watch the video (instead of downloading and watching offline) remember there is a small multi-directional arrow in the lower-right corner that will let you make the video full-screen and enable you to see the code in the video more easily. The Get-DeviceDriverServices.ps1<\/b> script entry on the Scripting Guys Script Repository is seen in the following figure.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AG, that is all there is to using the .NET Framework ServiceController<\/b> class. This concludes .NET Framework week. Join me tomorrow for Quick Hits Friday<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I invite you to follow me on Twitter<\/a> or Facebook<\/a>. If you have any questions, send email to me at scripter@microsoft.com<\/a> or post them on the Official Scripting Guys Forum<\/a>. See you tomorrow. Until then, peace.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to work with the .NET Framework classes and assemblies.   Hey, Scripting Guy! I want to be able to find information about services that are related to device drivers but I cannot find a Windows PowerShell cmdlet that provides that information. Is there something in the .NET […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":595,"featured_media":87096,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[66,31,3,39,45],"class_list":["post-16541","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-scripting","tag-net-framework","tag-operating-system","tag-scripting-guy","tag-services","tag-windows-powershell"],"acf":[],"blog_post_summary":"

  Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to work with the .NET Framework classes and assemblies.   Hey, Scripting Guy! I want to be able to find information about services that are related to device drivers but I cannot find a Windows PowerShell cmdlet that provides that information. Is there something in the .NET […]<\/p>\n","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/scripting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16541","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/scripting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/scripting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/scripting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/595"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/scripting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16541"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/scripting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16541\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/scripting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/87096"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/scripting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16541"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/scripting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16541"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/scripting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16541"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}