Using PowerShell with .NET 3.5 runtime/libraries

Question

Is it possible to run PowerShell 1.0 (or 2.0 CTP) backed by the 3.5 runtime instead of 2.0?

We're building a .NET 3.5 solution, and I'd still like to use PowerShell as our scripting engine for scheduled tasks, etc.

I don't need LINQ syntax or anything, just the 3.5 libraries and runtime.

FOLLOWUP: thank you for the reply about dynamically loading assemblies. But let me clarify my question: is there any way to run PowerShell so that the 3.5 libraries run by default? So that if I enter New-Object System.Xml.XmlDocument, for example, I'm actually getting the 3.5 version by default?

Semi-related question: if I do have to dynamically load, say, the System.Xml library from 3.5, will it overlay the existing symbol definitions such that the next time I type New-Object System.Xml.XmlDocument, it will load the 3.5 version?

Answer 1

As long as your get your fully qualified name right, I don't see why this wouldn't work:

[System.Reflection.Assembly]::Load("System.Xml.Linq, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089")

I only used Linq as that was the first one to come to mind. At that point, the ddl is loaded, and you can create/use objects out of that.

Answer 2

PowerShell was built against 2.0, so you don't have any options but to have 2.0 present at least. But like James says, you can load 3.0 and 3.5 functionality by loading the appropriate assembly. LINQ is a good example from 3.5, but you can also do WPF (3.0) from PowerShell. Be mindful of STA and MTA for WPF though, as only PowerShell v2 has full support for WPF (full support for thread affinity).

Answer 3

3.5 is effectively an ADD-ON for 2.0. That is to say, there are no superceded classes in 3.5; it is not a replacement. The CLR (common language runtime) is still v2.0.

Answer 4

If you have 3.5 installed on your system, that is what you'll get when you run PowerShell.

PowerShell is only "requires" 2.0 but 3.0 and 3.5 are compatible and autoforward when installed. In PowerShell V2, we actually look to see what version you have and "light up" certain features (e.g. PowerShell_ISE and Out-GridView are available when you have 3.51).

Experiment! Enjoy! Engage!

Jeffrey Snover [MSFT] Windows Management Partner Architect