Extending PowerShell DateTime Objects

I've been experimenting more with my PSTypeExtensionTools module, finding more objects to enhance.  You can check out the project on Github and install the module from the PowerShell Gallery. My current fun has been with the DateTime object – specifically converting a value into another culture.  Apparently those of us in North America don't know how to format a date properly. But now with a few script methods added to the DateTime type, I can correct that oversight.

How your dates are formatted is stored in a culture definition.

You can get information for other cultures by using the .NET Framework.

Let's reformat a date:

I can use the –f operator and specify a different pattern.

$n = Get-Date
"{0:$([cultureinfo]::GetCultureInfo("en-gb").datetimeformat.fulldatetimepattern)}" -f $n

This isn't especially difficult. But it is a lot to type. So let's make this an extension to the DateTime type with my Add-PSTypeExtension command.

$sb = { 
Param ([string]$culture)

"{0:$([cultureinfo]::GetCultureInfo("$culture").DateTimeFormat.fulldatetimepattern)}" -f $this
}

Add-PSTypeExtension -TypeName System.Datetime -MemberType ScriptMethod -MemberName ConvertCulture -Value $sb

Now this is much easier. All I need to do is invoke the script method and provide a culture.

I also added a method to convert to a short date pattern.

$sb2 = {
Param ([string]$culture)

"{0:$([cultureinfo]::GetCultureInfo("$culture").DateTimeFormat.ShortDatePattern)}" -f $this

}

Add-PSTypeExtension -TypeName System.Datetime -MemberType ScriptMethod -MemberName ConvertShortDate -Value $sb2

You use it the same way.

I'm not sure of an especially practical use for these methods, but they are fun to play with and help demonstrate the value in extending type definitions. I hope you'll give the PSTypeExtenstionTools module a spin and let me know what you think.

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