Standard PowerShell Verbs

Cmdlets and scripts should be named using a Verb-Noun syntax. For example, Get-ChildItem. With rare exception, cmdlets should use the standard PowerShell verbs, not any synonyms, or concepts that can be mapped to the standard. This allows administrators to quickly understand a set of cmdlets that use a new noun.

Verbs should be phrased in the present tense, and nouns should be singular.

Standard Windows PowerShell Common Verbs

Verb

Meaning

Synonyms

Add

Adds a resource to a container, or attaches an element to another element.

Append, Attach, Concatenate, Insert.

Clear

Removes all elements from a container.

Flush, Erase, Release, Unmark, Unset, Nullify.

Copy

Copies a resource to another name or container.

Duplicate, Clone, Replicate.

Get

Retrieves data.

Read, Open, Cat, Type, Dir, Obtain, Dump, Acquire, Examine, Find, Search.

Lock

Locks a resource.

Restrict, Bar.

Move

Moves a resource.

Transfer, Name, Migrate.

New

Creates a new resource.

Create, Generate, Build, Make, Allocate.

Remove

Removes a resource from a container.

Delete, Kill.

Rename

Gives a resource a new name.

Ren, Swap.

Set

Places data.

Write, Assign, Configure.

Unlock

Unlocks a resource.

Free, Unrestrict.

Standard Windows PowerShell Communication Verbs

Verb

Meaning

Synonyms

Connect

Connects a source to a destination.

Join, Telnet.

Disconnect

Disconnects a source from a destination.

Break, Logoff.

Receive

Acquires information from a source.

Read, Accept, Peek.

Send

Writes information to a destination.

Put, Broadcast, Mail.

Standard Windows PowerShell ...

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