Manipulating files

In this recipe, we will take a look at different cmdlets that help you manipulate files.

How to do it...

Let's explore different ways to manage files:

1. Open PowerShell ISE as an administrator.
2. Add the following script and run it:

   #create file
   $timestamp = Get-Date -format "yyyy-MMM-dd-hhmmtt"
   $path = "C:\Temp\"
   $fileName = "$timestamp.txt"
   $fullPath = Join-Path $path $fileName
   
   New-Item -Path $path -Name $fileName -ItemType "File"
   
   #check if file exists 
   Test-Path $fullPath
   
   #copy file
   $path = "C:\Temp\"
   $newFileName = $timestamp + "_2.txt"
   $fullPath2 = Join-Path $path $newFileName
   
   Copy-Item $fullPath $fullPath2 
   
   #move file
   $newFolder = "C:\Data"
   Move-Item $fullPath2 $newFolder
   
   #append to file
   Add-Content $fullPath "Additional Item"
   
   #show contents of file
   notepad $fullPath
   
   #merge file contents
   $newContent = Get-Content "C:\Temp\processes.txt"
   Add-Content $fullPath $newContent...