Create a subdirectory/subfolder

YetAnotherRandomUser picture YetAnotherRandomUser · Jan 7, 2014 · Viewed 27.5k times · Source

I'm creating a PowerShell script to "compile" a bunch of documentation spread across my notes. I'd like to create the directory structure first, then copy files into the newly created directories. I know how to do this manually, but I'm not sure how to approach it in PowerShell. I'm new to scripting in general, though I do understand programming in several different languages.

Should I change the current directory, then just make some more directories? Or is there a different approach?

This is what I have so far:

#Variables
$containerFolder = "F:\FSG\Packet.Fusion for IT and AV Professionals"
$rootFolder = "Fusion for IT and AV pros $(Get-Date -format “MM-dd-yyyy”)"


#create the directory structure
md -Path $containerFolder -Name $rootFolder

I'd like to make several directories within $rootFolder, and 1 or 2 of them will have their own subdirectories. If I were doing this at the command line, I would cd to the new directory and then md some more. Is that how to do it with scripting?

EDIT This is what I wound up starting with:

# Compiles the Fusion packet for distribution

###############################
###########Variables###########
###############################

#folder structure
$FSG = "F:\FSG"
$containerFolder = "Packet.Fusion for IT and AV Professionals"
$rootFolder      = "Fusion for IT and AV pros $(Get-Date -format “MM-dd-yyyy”)"
$subRoot1        = "Fusion Server"
$subRoot2        = "Scheduling Enhancement and Panels"
$subRoot2sub1    = "Scheduling Panels"
$subRoot3        = "SQL Server"

#source folders
$HW      = "0.Hardware"
$3SMDoc  = "0.Hardware\TPMC-3SM.Documentation"
$4SMDoc  = "0.Hardware\TPMC-4SM.Documentation"
$4SMDDoc = "0.Hardware\TPMC-4SM-FD.Documentation"
$730Doc  = "0.Hardware\TSW-730.Documentation"
$730OLH  = "0.Hardware\TSW-730.OLH"
$CENRVS  = "0.Hardware\CEN-RVS.Notes"

$ProjMgmt = "0.Project Management"

$SW            = "0.Software"
$RVLicensing   = "0.Software\0.RoomView.License"
$RVNotes       = "0.Software\0.RoomView.Notes"
$SQLLicensing  = "0.Software\database.SQL.Licensing"
$SQLNotes      = "0.Software\database.SQL.Notes"
$FRVMarketing  = "0.Software\Fusion RV.Marketing"
$FRVNetworking = "0.Software\Fusion RV.Networking"
$FRVNotes      = "0.Software\Fusion RV.Notes"


###############################
#create the directory structure
###############################

md -Path $containerFolder -Name $rootFolder

cd $FSG\$containerFolder\$rootFolder
md "eControl and xPanels"
md "Fusion Server" #$subRoot1
md "Getting Started as a User"
md "Project Management"
md "RoomView Connected Displays"
md "Scheduling Enhancement and Panels" #$subRoot2
md "SQL Server" #$subRoot3

cd $FSG\$containerFolder\$rootFolder\$subRoot1
md "CEN-RVS"
md "Licenseing Information"
md "Networking"
md "Official Documentation"
md "Prerequisites, including powerShell script"
md "Product Info"
md "Requirements"
md "Tech Info"
md "Windows Authentication to Fusion RV"

cd $FSG\$containerFolder\$rootFolder\$subRoot2
md "Outlook Add-in"
md "Scheduling Panels" #$subRoot2sub1

cd $FSG\$containerFolder\$rootFolder\$subRoot2\$subRoot2sub1
md "TPMC-3SM"
md "TPMC-4SM"
md "TPMC-4SM-FD"
md "TSW-730"

cd $FSG\$containerFolder\$rootFolder\$subRoot3
md "Multi-database model only"
md "SQL Licensing"

Is there any benefits to creating the leafiest most subdirectories and by implication making PowerShell create the middle ones?

Are there any drawbacks to doing it this way?

Answer

KevinD picture KevinD · Jan 8, 2014
New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path C:\NewPath\NewSubPath\AnotherSubDir\WowThisIsReallyNested -Force

That will create the full path, including all of the subdirectories.