Cookbooks
PowerShell
Chapter 1. Getting Started
Starting a new project

PowerShell:
Starting a new project

How to:

PowerShell makes spinning up a new project straightforward. You might want to create a directory for your project and set up a git repository. Here’s how:

# Create a new directory for your project
New-Item -Path 'C:\MyProjects\NewCoolApp' -ItemType Directory

# Navigate to your new directory
Set-Location -Path 'C:\MyProjects\NewCoolApp'

# Initialize a new git repository if you're using version control
git init

Sample output:

    Directory: C:\MyProjects

Mode                 LastWriteTime         Length Name
----                 -------------         ------ ----
d-----          1/1/2023   12:00 AM                NewCoolApp
Initialized empty Git repository in C:/MyProjects/NewCoolApp/.git/

Deep Dive

PowerShell has been the go-to scripting language for Windows automation since its debut in 2006. Creating a new project with PowerShell isn’t just about making directories; it’s a ritual for setting project scopes, defining scripts, or prepping automated tasks.

While PowerShell is a favorite in the Windows world, Unix-like users often rely on ‘bash’ or ‘zsh’ for similar tasks. Still, with the advent of PowerShell Core, PowerShell has stepped into the multiplatform ring, allowing for cross-platform scripting and automation.

Deep-rooted in PowerShell’s design is its object-oriented nature, using cmdlets (pronounced command-lets) that output objects. Cmdlets like New-Item aren’t just creating files or folders; they’re constructing objects that your scripts can interact with. A new project setup might include establishing a folder structure, creating a README, setting up a .gitignore file, or even templating out initial code files.

Implementing a project setup routine in PowerShell might leverage numerous cmdlets, from file manipulation (New-Item) to environment configuration (Set-Location). Combining these with PowerShell’s scripting capabilities can create powerful setup scripts that act as project starters, stamping out your project’s scaffolding with minimal fuss.

See Also