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Acrolinx edit for grammar #12332

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37 changes: 17 additions & 20 deletions reference/docs-conceptual/discover-powershell.md
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Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
---
description: Learn what PowerShell is and some essential commands used to discover more about PowerShell.
ms.date: 01/31/2023
ms.date: 09/02/2025
ms.topic: overview
title: Discover PowerShell
---
Expand All @@ -11,28 +11,25 @@ PowerShell is a command-line shell and a scripting language in one. PowerShell s
Windows to help automate administrative tasks. Now, it runs cross platform and can be used for
various tasks.

The thing that makes PowerShell unique is that it accepts and returns .NET objects, rather than
text. This feature makes it easier to connect different commands in a _pipeline_.
What makes PowerShell unique is that it accepts and returns .NET objects, rather than text. This
feature makes it easier to connect different commands in a _pipeline_.

## What can PowerShell be used for?

Usage of PowerShell has grown since the days when it was Windows-only. It's still used for Windows
task automation, but today, you can use it for tasks like:
Initially, PowerShell was Windows-only. Now, it's cross-platform and can be used for various tasks
like:

- **Cloud management**. PowerShell can be used to manage cloud resources. For example, you can
retrieve information about cloud resources, as well as update or deploy new resources.
retrieve information, update, or deploy new resources.
- **CI/CD**. It can also be used as part of a Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment pipeline.
- **Automate tasks for Active Directory and Exchange**. You can use it to automate almost any task
on Windows like creating users in Active Directory and mailboxes in Exchange.

There are many more areas of usage but the preceding list gives you a hint that PowerShell has come
a long way.

## Who uses PowerShell?

PowerShell is a powerful tool that can help people working in a multitude of roles. Traditionally,
PowerShell has been used by the System Administrator role but is now being used by people calling
themselves DevOps, Cloud Ops, and even Developers.
PowerShell was used by the System Administrators. Now it's being used by people calling themselves
DevOps, Cloud Ops, and even Developers.

## PowerShell cmdlets

Expand All @@ -53,8 +50,8 @@ discover what commands are available, what they do, and what types they operate

- `Get-Verb`. Running this command returns a list of verbs that most commands adhere to. The
response includes a description of what these verbs do. Since most commands follow this naming
convention, it sets expectations on what a command does. This helps you select the appropriate
command and what to name a command, should you be creating one.
convention, it sets expectations on what a command does. This command helps you select the
appropriate verb and what to name a command when you create your own commands.
- `Get-Command`. This command retrieves a list of all commands installed on your machine.
- `Get-Member`. It operates on object based output and is able to discover what object, properties
and methods are available for a command.
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -92,8 +89,8 @@ Exit ex Common Sets the current environment or context to the m
## Find commands with Get-Command

The `Get-Command` cmdlet returns a list of all available commands installed on your system. The list
you get back is quite large. You can limit the amount of information that comes back by filtering
the response using parameters or helper cmdlets.
can be large. You can limit the amount of information that comes back by filtering the response
using parameters or helper cmdlets.

### Filter on name

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -205,9 +202,9 @@ You can also use other cmdlets to filter results.

## Explore objects with Get-Member

Once you've been able to locate the cmdlet you want, you want to know more about what output it
produces. The `Get-Member` cmdlet displays the type, properties, and methods of an object. Pipe the
output you want to inspect to `Get-Member`.
Once you locate the cmdlet you want, you want to know more about what output it produces. The
`Get-Member` cmdlet displays the type, properties, and methods of an object. Pipe the output you
want to inspect to `Get-Member`.

```powershell
Get-Process | Get-Member
Expand All @@ -233,8 +230,8 @@ Get-Process | Get-Member -MemberType Method
```

By default PowerShell only displays a few properties. The previous example displayed the `Name`,
`MemberType` and `Definition` members. You can use `Select-Object` to specify properties you want to
see. For example, you want to display only the `Name` and `Definition` properties:
`MemberType`, and `Definition` members. You can use `Select-Object` to specify properties you want
to see. For example, you want to display only the `Name` and `Definition` properties:

```powershell
Get-Process | Get-Member | Select-Object Name, Definition
Expand Down
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