Architecture of PowerShell?

PowerShell is deeply integrated with .NET and relies on the .NET Common Language Runtime (CLR) for its execution. It leverages .NET objects for input and output, allowing for robust and flexible data handling. PowerShell also utilizes .NET libraries and classes to extend its functionality. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. .NET Runtime Integration:

• PowerShell is built on the .NET CLR:
• This means PowerShell relies on the .NET runtime for its core functionality, enabling it to execute .NET code and utilize its libraries.
• .NET objects:
• PowerShell treats all inputs and outputs as .NET objects, allowing for seamless interaction with .NET types and methods.
• No text parsing:
• Because it uses .NET objects, PowerShell doesn't need to parse text output from commands, making it more efficient and reliable. 

2. .NET CLR and PowerShell:

• Core component:
• The .NET CLR is the virtual machine component of .NET that manages the execution of .NET programs.
• Just-in-time compilation:
• The CLR compiles managed code into machine instructions at runtime, allowing for platform-specific execution.
• Services:
• The CLR provides various services like memory management, garbage collection, and exception handling, which PowerShell benefits from. 

3. PowerShell Editions and .NET:

• Windows PowerShell:
• The original version of PowerShell, bundled with Windows, uses the full .NET Framework, which is Windows-specific. 
• PowerShell:
• The cross-platform version of PowerShell (also known as PowerShell Core) is built on .NET Core (now simply referred to as .NET). 
• .NET compatibility:
• The .NET runtime version dictates the compatibility of PowerShell with specific .NET APIs and modules. 

4. Extending PowerShell with .NET:

• Cmdlets:
• PowerShell cmdlets, the building blocks of PowerShell scripts, are often specialized .NET classes. 
• .NET libraries:
• PowerShell can directly utilize .NET libraries and classes to perform various tasks, making it a powerful tool for system administration and automation. 
• Dynamic types:
• PowerShell's extensible type system allows for creating dynamic types based on .NET types. 

In essence, PowerShell's power and flexibility stem from its deep integration with the .NET Framework and its ability to seamlessly leverage .NET's capabilities. 

This was a Google search with your question ;-) Powershell is built on .NET Framework; the current version is 8.0.x for version 7.