TOPIC
	about_Command_Precedence

SHORT DESCRIPTION
	Describes how Windows PowerShell determines which command to run.

LONG DESCRIPTION
	This topic explains how Windows PowerShell determines which command to 
	run, especially when a session contains more than one command with the
	same name. It also explains how to run commands that do not run by 
	default, and it explains how to avoid command-name conflicts in your
	session.


  COMMAND PRECEDENCE
	When a session includes commands that have the same name, Windows 
	PowerShell uses the following rules to decide which command to run.

	These rules become very important when you add commands to your session
	from modules, snap-ins, and other sessions.


	-- If you specify the path to a command, Windows PowerShell runs the 
		 command at the location specified by the path. 

		 For example, the following command runs the FindDocs.ps1
		 script in the C:\TechDocs directory:

			 C:\TechDocs\FindDocs.ps1

		 As a security feature, Windows PowerShell does not run executable
		 (native) commands, including Windows PowerShell scripts, unless the 
		 command is located in a path that is listed in the Path environment 
		 variable ($env:path) or unless you specify the path to the script 
		 file. 

		 To run a script that is in the current directory, specify the full 
		 path, or type a dot (.) to represent the current directory.

		 For example, to run the FindDocs.ps1 file in the current directory,
		 type:

			 .\FindDocs.ps1

	
	-- If you do not specify a path, Windows PowerShell uses the following
		 precedence order when it runs commands:

			1. Alias
			2. Function
			3. Cmdlet 
			4. Native Windows commands

		Therefore, if you type "help", Windows PowerShell first looks for an
		alias named "help", then a function named "Help", and finally a 
		cmdlet named "Help". It runs the first "help" item that it finds.

		For example, assume you have a function named Get-Map. Then, you add
		or import a cmdlet named Get-Map. By default, Windows PowerShell
		runs the function when you type "Get-Map".	


	-- When the session contains items of the same type that have the same
		 name, such as two cmdlets with the same name, Windows PowerShell 
		 runs the item that was added to the session most recently.

		 For example, assume you have a cmdlet named Get-Date. Then, you import
		 another cmdlet named Get-Date. By default, Windows PowerShell runs 
		 the most-recently imported cmdlet when you type "Get-Date".


  HIDDEN and REPLACED ITEMS
	As a result of these rules, items can be replaced or hidden by items with
	the same name.  

	--  Items are "hidden" or "shadowed" if you can still access the original
		item, such as by qualifying the item name with a module or snap-in
		name. 

		For example, if you import a function that has the same name as a
		cmdlet in the session, the cmdlet is hidden (but not replaced) 
		because it was imported from a snap-in or module.
		

	--  Items are "replaced" or "overwritten" if you can no longer access
		the original item.

		For example, if you import a variable that has the same name as a 
		a variable in the session, the original variable is replaced and is
		no longer accessible. You cannot qualify a variable with a module 
		name.
		 
		Also, if you type a function at the command line and then import 
		a function with the same name, the original function is replaced and
		is no longer accessible.


  RUNNING HIDDEN COMMANDS
	You can run particular commands by specifying item properties that 
	distinguish the command from other commands that might have the same 
	name. 

	You can use this method to run any command, but it is especially useful
	for running hidden commands. 

	Use this method as a best practice when writing scripts that you intend 
	to distribute because you cannot predict which commands might be present
	in the session in which the script runs.


	QUALIFIED NAMES
	You can run commands that have been imported from a Windows PowerShell
	snap-in or module or from another session by qualifying the command 
	name with the name of the module or snap-in in which it originated.  

	You can qualify commands, but you cannot qualify variables or aliases.

	For example, if the Get-Date cmdlet from the Microsoft.PowerShell.Utility
	snap-in is hidden by an alias, function, or cmdlet with the same name, you
	can run it by using the snap-in-qualified name of the cmdlet:

		Microsoft.PowerShell.Utility\Get-Date


	To run a New-Map command that was added by the MapFunctions module, use 
	its module-qualified name:

		MapFunctions\New-Map


	To find the snap-in or module from which a command was imported, use the
	following Get-Command command format:

		get-command <command-name> | format-list -property Name, PSSnapin, Module


	For example, to find the source of the Get-Date cmdlet, type:


		get-command get-date | format-list -property Name, PSSnapin, Module

		Name	 : Get-Date
		PSSnapIn : Microsoft.PowerShell.Utility
		Module   :
	 

	CALL OPERATOR
	You can also use the Call operator (&) to run any command that you
	can get by using a Get-ChildItem (the alias is "dir"), Get-Command, or 
	Get-Module command. 

	To run a command, enclose the Get-Command command in parentheses,
	and use the Call operator (&) to run the command.

		&(get-command ...)  

	- or -

		&(dir ... )


	For example, if you have a function named Map that is hidden by an
	alias named Map, use the following command to run the function.

		&(get-command -name map -type function)  

	- or -

		&(dir function:\map)


	You can also save your hidden command in a variable to make it
	easier to run.

	For example, the following command saves the Map function in the
	$myMap variable and then uses the Call operator to run it.

		$myMap = (get-command -name map -type function)

		&($myMap)


	If a command originated in a module, you can use the following
	format to run it.

		 & <PSModuleInfo-object> <command>

	For example, to run the Add-File cmdlet in the FileCommands
	module, use the following command sequence.
		 
		 $FileCommands = get-module -name FileCommands
		 
		 & $FileCommands Add-File
	
   

  REPLACED ITEMS
	Items that have not been imported from a module or snap-in, such as 
	functions, variables, and aliases that you create in your session or
	that you add by using a profile can be replaced by commands that have
	the same name. If they are replaced, you cannot access them.

	Variables and aliases are always replaced even if they have been 
	imported from a module or snap-in because you cannot use a call operator
	or a qualified name to run them.

	For example, if you type a Get-Map function in your session, and you 
	import a function called Get-Map, the original function is replaced. 
	You cannot retrieve it in the current session.

   
  AVOIDING NAME CONFLICTS
	The best way to manage command name conflicts is to prevent them. When 
	you name your commands, use a name that is very specific or is likely to
	be unique. For example, add your initials or company name acronym to the 
	nouns in your commands.

	Also, when you import commands into your session from a Windows PowerShell
	module or from another session, use the Prefix parameter of the 
	Import-Module or Import-PSSession cmdlet to add a prefix to the nouns 
	in the names of commands.

	For example, the following command avoids any conflict with the Get-Date 
	and Set-Date cmdlets that come with Windows PowerShell when you import
	the DateFunctions module.

		import-module -name DateFunctions -prefix ZZ

	For more information, see Import-Module and Import-PSSession.  


SEE ALSO
	about_Path_Syntax
	about_Aliases
	about_Functions
	Alias (provider)
	Function (provider)
	Get-Command
	Import-Module
	Import-PSSession