Using C# to execute Powershell command (azureVM)

Question

I'm trying to develop a .Net form application to manage azure VMs in C# using Powershell cmdlets. I'll have to use the Azure module to get this working.

One of the cmdlet will be Add-AzureAccount

My question is how can I include this module (Azure) in C# project ?

Answer 1

We could use PowerShell cmdlets Import-module to add corresponding modules to the current session. We could use force parameter to re-import a module into the same session.
Import-module -name azure -force

The import thing is that the imported module need to be installed on the local computer or a remote computer. So if we want to execute Azure PowerShell cmdlets from C# project that we need to make sure that Azure PowerShell are installed. We can use install-module AzureRM or Azure more details please refer to the Get Started Azure PowerShell cmdlets . In the Azure VM, Azure PowerShell is installed by default. About how to call PowerShell command or PS1 file using C# please refer to Prageeth Saravanan mentioned link or another SO Thread .

Answer 2

In the comment section, @Prageeth Saravanan gave a useful link on how integrate PowerShell in C#.

https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/kebab/2014/04/28/executing-powershell-scripts-from-c/

Quick example :

First I had to include these refs :

System.Management.Automation
System.Collections.ObjectModel

Note : You need to add a NuGet package for "Management.Automation". Just type "System.Management.Automation" you'll find it.

C# code:

//The first step is to create a new instance of the PowerShell class
using (PowerShell powerShellInstance = PowerShell.Create()) //PowerShell.Create() creates an empty PowerShell pipeline for us to use for execution.
{   
 // use "AddScript" to add the contents of a script file to the end of the execution pipeline.
 // use "AddCommand" to add individual commands/cmdlets to the end of the execution pipeline.

    powerShellInstance.AddScript("param($param1) $d = get-date; $s = 'test string value'; $d; $s; $param1; get-service");

    // use "AddParameter" to add a single parameter to the last command/script on the pipeline.
    powerShellInstance.AddParameter("param1", "parameter 1 value!");

    //Result of the script with Invoke()
    Collection<PSObject> result = powerShellInstance.Invoke();

    //output example : @{yourProperty=value; yourProperty1=value1; yourProperty2=StoppedDeallocated; PowerState=Stopped; OperationStatus=OK}}

    foreach (PSObject r in result)
    {
        //access to values
        string r1 = r.Properties["yourProperty"].Value.ToString();
    }
}

Hope this helps!