The Register-ArgumentCompleter command is a powerful tool for Windows PowerShell users. It enables users to register custom argument completers for specific parameters in cmdlets, functions, and scripts. Argument completers are used to provide tab completion of parameter values, which can be a great time-saver when working with complex commands. In this guide, we’ll provide an overview of the Register-ArgumentCompleter command, explain its syntax and parameters, discuss its inputs and outputs, provide examples of how to use it, and offer some tips for getting the most out of the command.
Overview of Register-ArgumentCompleter
The Register-ArgumentCompleter command is a Windows PowerShell cmdlet that enables users to register custom argument completers for specific parameters in cmdlets, functions, and scripts. Argument completers are used to provide tab completion of parameter values, which can be a great time-saver when working with complex commands. The Register-ArgumentCompleter command is available in Windows PowerShell 5.1 and later.
Syntax and Parameters of Register-ArgumentCompleter
The syntax of the Register-ArgumentCompleter command is as follows:
Register-ArgumentCompleter -CommandName <String> -ParameterName <String> -ScriptBlock <ScriptBlock> [-Default] [-Force] [-PassThru] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm]
The command has the following parameters:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| CommandName | The name of the cmdlet, function, or script for which the argument completer is being registered. |
| ParameterName | The name of the parameter for which the argument completer is being registered. |
| ScriptBlock | The script block that defines the argument completer. |
| Default | Specifies that the argument completer should be used as the default for the parameter. |
| Force | Specifies that the argument completer should be registered even if one is already registered for the parameter. |
| PassThru | Specifies that the argument completer should be returned as output. |
| WhatIf | Specifies that the command should be run without actually registering the argument completer. |
| Confirm | Specifies that the user should be prompted for confirmation before registering the argument completer. |
Inputs and Outputs of Register-ArgumentCompleter
The Register-ArgumentCompleter command takes three inputs: the name of the cmdlet, function, or script for which the argument completer is being registered; the name of the parameter for which the argument completer is being registered; and the script block that defines the argument completer. The command does not produce any output, unless the PassThru parameter is used.
Examples of Register-ArgumentCompleter
The following example shows how to register an argument completer for the Path parameter of the Get-ChildItem cmdlet:
Register-ArgumentCompleter -CommandName Get-ChildItem -ParameterName Path -ScriptBlock { Get-ChildItem -Path $args[0] }
The following example shows how to register an argument completer for the Path parameter of the Get-ChildItem cmdlet and set it as the default for the parameter:
Register-ArgumentCompleter -CommandName Get-ChildItem -ParameterName Path -ScriptBlock { Get-ChildItem -Path $args[0] } -Default
Tips for Using Register-ArgumentCompleter
Here are some tips for getting the most out of the Register-ArgumentCompleter command:
- Be sure to specify the correct name of the cmdlet, function, or script for which the argument completer is being registered.
- Be sure to specify the correct name of the parameter for which the argument completer is being registered.
- Be sure to specify a valid script block that defines the argument completer.
- If you want to set the argument completer as the default for the parameter, be sure to use the Default parameter.
- If you want to register the argument completer even if one is already registered for the parameter, be sure to use the Force parameter.
- If you want to return the argument completer as output, be sure to use the PassThru parameter.
- If you want to run the command without actually registering the argument completer, be sure to use the WhatIf parameter.
- If you want to be prompted for confirmation before registering the argument completer, be sure to use the Confirm parameter.
Conclusion
The Register-ArgumentCompleter command is a powerful tool for Windows PowerShell users. It enables users to register custom argument completers for specific parameters in cmdlets, functions, and scripts. Argument completers are used to provide tab completion of parameter values, which can be a great time-saver when working with complex commands. In this guide, we’ve provided an overview of the Register-ArgumentCompleter command, explained its syntax and parameters, discussed its inputs and outputs, provided examples of how to use it, and offered some tips for getting the most out of the command.