Find and use the Script folder path

The script folder path can be useful to find files that are alongside the script, e.g. a json file with settings for execution. Here is a comparison of $PSScriptRoot vs $MyInvocation.MyCommand.Definition in PowerShell:

$PSScriptRoot

  • Available in: PowerShell 3.0+
  • Usage: 
    1

    Write-Host "Script is running from: $PSScriptRoot"

Pros

  • Built-in, reliable
  • Works in scripts, modules, and dot-sourced files

Cons

  • Not available in PowerShell < 3.0
  • Not defined in the interactive shell

$MyInvocation.MyCommand.Definition

  • Available in: PowerShell 2.0+
  • Usage: 
    1
2

    $scriptDir = Split-Path -Path $MyInvocation.MyCommand.Definition -Parent
Write-Host "Script is running from: $scriptDir"

Pros

  • Compatible with older PowerShell versions

Cons

  • Verbose, context-sensitive
  • May behave unexpectedly in functions or dot-sourcing