---
title: "Work With SQL Server PowerShell Paths | Microsoft Docs"
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ms.date: "03/14/2017"
ms.prod: "sql-server-2016"
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author: "JennieHubbard"
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---
# Work With SQL Server PowerShell Paths
  After you have navigated to a node in a [!INCLUDE[ssDE](../../includes/ssde-md.md)] provider path, you can perform work or retrieve information by using the methods and properties from the [!INCLUDE[ssDE](../../includes/ssde-md.md)] management object associated with the node.  
  
1.  [Before You Begin](#BeforeYouBegin)  
  
2.  **To work on a path node:**  [Listing Methods and Properties](#ListPropMeth), [Using Methods and Properties](#UsePropMeth)  
  
##  <a name="BeforeYouBegin"></a> Before You Begin  
 After you have navigated to a node in a [!INCLUDE[ssDE](../../includes/ssde-md.md)] provider path, you can perform two types of actions:  
  
-   You can run Windows PowerShell cmdlets that operate on nodes, such as **Rename-Item**.  
  
-   You can call the methods from the associated [!INCLUDE[ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] management object model, such as SMO. For example, if you navigate to the Databases node in a path, you can use the methods and properties of the <xref:Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.Database> class.  
  
 The [!INCLUDE[ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] provider is used to manage the objects in an instance of the [!INCLUDE[ssDE](../../includes/ssde-md.md)]. It is not used to work with the data in databases. If you have navigated to a table or view, you cannot use the provider to select, insert, update, or delete data. Use the **Invoke-Sqlcmd** cmdlet to query or change data in tables and views from the Windows PowerShell environment. For more information, see [Invoke-Sqlcmd cmdlet](../../powershell/invoke-sqlcmd-cmdlet.md).  
  
##  <a name="ListPropMeth"></a> Listing Methods and Properties  
 **Listing Methods and Properties**  
  
 To view the methods and properties available for specific objects or object classes, use the **Get-Member** cmdlet.  
  
### Examples: Listing Methods and Properties  
 This example sets a Windows PowerShell variable to the SMO <xref:Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.Database> class and lists the methods and properties:  
  
```  
$MyDBVar = New-Object Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SMO.Database  
$MyDBVar | Get-Member –Type Methods  
$MyDBVar | Get-Member -Type Properties  
```  
  
 You can also use **Get-Member** to list the methods and properties that are associated with the end node of a Windows PowerShell path.  
  
 This example navigates to the Databases node in a SQLSERVER: path and lists the collection properties:  
  
```  
Set-Location SQLSERVER:\SQL\localhost\DEFAULT\Databases  
Get-Item . | Get-Member -Type Properties  
```  
  
 This example navigates to the AdventureWorks2012 node in a SQLSERVER: path and lists the object properties:  
  
```  
Set-Location SQLSERVER:\SQL\localhost\DEFAULT\Databases\AdventureWorks2012  
Get-Item . | Get-Member -Type Properties  
```  
  
##  <a name="UsePropMeth"></a> Using Methods and Properties  
 **Using SMO Methods and Properties**  
  
 To perform work on objects from a [!INCLUDE[ssDE](../../includes/ssde-md.md)] provider path, you can use SMO methods and properties.  
  
### Examples: Using Methods and Properties  
 This example uses the SMO **Schema** property to get a list of the tables from the Sales schema in AdventureWorks2012:  
  
```  
Set-Location SQLSERVER:\SQL\localhost\DEFAULT\Databases\AdventureWorks2012\Tables  
Get-ChildItem | where {$_.Schema -eq "Sales"}  
```  
  
 This example uses the SMO **Script** method to generate a script that contains the **CREATE VIEW** statements you must have to re-create the views in AdventureWorks2012:  
  
```  
Remove-Item C:\PowerShell\CreateViews.sql  
Set-Location SQLSERVER:\SQL\localhost\DEFAULT\Databases\AdventureWorks2012\Views  
foreach ($Item in Get-ChildItem) { $Item.Script() | Out-File -Filepath C:\PowerShell\CreateViews.sql -append }  
```  
  
 This example uses the SMO **Create** method to create a database, and then uses the **State** property to show whether the database exists:  
  
```  
Set-Location SQLSERVER:\SQL\localhost\DEFAULT\Databases  
$MyDBVar = New-Object Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SMO.Database  
$MyDBVar.Parent = (Get-Item ..)  
$MyDBVar.Name = "NewDB"  
$MyDBVar.Create()  
$MyDBVar.State  
```  
  
## See Also  
 [SQL Server PowerShell Provider](../../relational-databases/scripting/sql-server-powershell-provider.md)   
 [Navigate SQL Server PowerShell Paths](../../relational-databases/scripting/navigate-sql-server-powershell-paths.md)   
 [Convert URNs to SQL Server Provider Paths](../../relational-databases/scripting/convert-urns-to-sql-server-provider-paths.md)   
 [SQL Server PowerShell](../../relational-databases/scripting/sql-server-powershell.md)