The using keyword

The using keyword simplifies the use of namespaces and can be used to load assemblies or PowerShell modules. The using keyword was introduced with PowerShell 5.0.

You can use the using keyword in a script, a module, or the console. In a script, the using keyword can only be preceded by comments.

The using module statement is used to access PowerShell classes created within a PowerShell module. The using module statement is explored in Chapter 19, Classes and Enumerations.

In the context of working with .NET, namespaces and assemblies are of interest.

Using namespaces

The using namespace statement instructs PowerShell to look for any type names used in an additional namespace. For example, by default, attempting to use System.IO.File without a full name will result in an error:

PS> [File]
InvalidOperation: Unable to find type [File].

PowerShell looked for the type in the System namespace and did not find it.

If using namespace...