en-AU/about_PSDocs_Conventions.help.txt
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about_psdocs_conventions SHORT DESCRIPTION Describes PSDocs Conventions including how to use and author them. LONG DESCRIPTION PSDocs generates documents dynamically from input. When generating multiple documents it is often necessary to name or annotate them in a structured manner. Conventions achieve this by hooking into the pipeline to trigger custom actions defined in a script block. USING CONVENTIONS A convention once defined can be included by using the `-Convention` parameter of `Invoke-PSDocument`. To use a convention specify the name of the convention by name. For example: Invoke-PSDocument -Convention 'ExampleConvention'; If multiple conventions are specified in an array, all are executed in they are specified. As a result, the convention specified last may override state set by earlier conventions. DEFINING CONVENTIONS To define a convention, add a `Export-PSDocumentConvention` block within a `.Doc.ps1` file. When executed the `.Doc.ps1` must be in an included path or module with `-Path` or `-Module`. The `Export-PSDocumentConvention` block works similar to the `Document` block. Each convention must have a unique name. For example: # Synopsis: An example convention. Export-PSDocumentConvention 'ExampleConvention' { # Add code here } BEGIN PROCESS END BLOCKS Conventions define three executable blocks `Begin`, `Process`, `End` similar to a PowerShell function. Each block is injected in a different part of the pipeline as follows: - `Begin` occurs before the document definition is called. - `Process` occurs directly after the document definition is called. - `End` occurs after all documents have been generated. Convention block limitations: - `Begin` can not use document specific variables such as `$Document`. - `End` can not use automatic variables except `$PSDocs.Output`. By default, the `Process` block used. For example: # Synopsis: The default { } executes the process block Export-PSDocumentConvention 'ExampleConvention' { # Process block } # Synopsis: With optional -Process parameter name Export-PSDocumentConvention 'ExampleConvention' -Process { # Process block } To use `Begin` or `End` explicitly add these blocks. For example: Export-PSDocumentConvention 'ExampleConvention' -Process { # Process block } -Begin { # Begin block } -End { # End block } NAMING DOCUMENTS Generated document output files are named based on InstanceName. To alter the InstanceName of a document use the `InstanceName` property. Syntax: $PSDocs.Document.InstanceName = value; For example: # Synopsis: An example naming convention. Export-PSDocumentConvention 'TestNamingConvention1' { $PSDocs.Document.InstanceName = 'NewName'; } SETTING OUTPUT PATH Generated document output files are named based on OutputPath. To alter the OutputPath of a document use the `OutputPath` property. Syntax: $PSDocs.Document.OutputPath = value; For example: # Synopsis: An example naming convention. Export-PSDocumentConvention 'TestNamingConvention1' { $newPath = Join-Path -Path $PSDocs.Document.OutputPath -ChildPath 'new'; $PSDocs.Document.OutputPath = $newPath; } NOTE An online version of this document is available at https://github.com/Microsoft/PSDocs/blob/main/docs/concepts/PSDocs/en-US/about_PSDocs_Conventions.md. SEE ALSO - Invoke-PSDocument KEYWORDS - Conventions - PSDocs |