How can I use a powershell-function in multi-script? - windows

Question

My C#-program should be by opening perform a powershellfunction, looks like this:
function RunIE
{
$a = Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion -name ProgramFilesDir
$path = $a.ProgramFilesDir + "\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"
& $path "www.heise.de" -extoff
Start-Sleep 6
$shell = (New-Object -COM Shell.Application)
$ie = #($shell.Application.Windows()) | Where-Object { $_.LocationUrl -like "*heise*" }
Write-Output $ie
}
$ScriptLog.Invoke([log4net.Core.Level]::Debug, "Funktionsdurchlauf durchgeführt")
The log at the end will written in my logfile. (So I think this works.)
During the C#-program runs an other script should be conducted, like this:
...
$ie = RunIE
#here I get a mistake: "The term 'RunIE' is not recognized as the name of a
#cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program. Check the spelling of the
#name, or if a path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again."
$ie.Navigate2($path)
Start-Sleep 5
...
How can I use my function in other scripts, without new/second invocation? (I think the solution must create in powershell.)
thanks.

Answer 1

You need to dot source the script that contain the functions and script-scope variables you want to use in your script. For instance, if IEUtils.ps1 contained your RunIE function then you would dot source it into primary script like so:
. C:\Temp\IEUtils.ps1
$ie = RunIE
This assumes that IEUtils.ps1 in C:\Temp. Subtitute the appropriate dir as required. If it is in the same dir as your primary script then use:
$ScriptPath = $MyInvocation.MyCommand.Path
$ScriptDir = Split-Path -parent $ScriptPath
. $ScriptDir\IEUtils.ps1