pwshPlaces¶
What is pwshPlaces?¶
pwshPlaces is a PowerShell module that integrates with leading mapping services like Google Maps and Bing Maps. Offering a suite of commands for interacting with maps, it enables you to perform searches, read reviews, and retrieve detailed information about locations worldwide. From discovering nearby restaurants to geocoding addresses, pwshPlaces equips you with a wealth of geographical data, accessible through simple and intuitive PowerShell commands.
Why pwshPlaces?¶
pwshPlaces streamlines your interaction with Google Maps and Bing Maps, transforming complex API requirements into simple PowerShell commands. Unlike the often overwhelming and visually dense web interfaces, pwshPlaces delivers essential information efficiently, enabling rapid decision-making based on concise and relevant data. Quickly compare restaurants, parks, or any places of interest with just a few lines of code, receiving straightforward, concise data like ratings and locations.
Getting Started¶
Prerequisites¶
To use pwshPlaces you will require a Google Maps or Bing Maps API key. To use all of the functions you will require both.
🙄 Not another module that requires an API Key!
Both of these Map API keys are easy to create and have no cost pricing tiers which should meet your needs. I have provided detailed guides on how to get your API keys:
Installation¶
Quick Start¶
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# import the pwshPlaces module
Import-Module -Name "pwshPlaces"
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
######################################################################################
# Google Maps
$googleAPIKey = 'yourGoogleAPIKey'
######################################################################################
# I want to find a specific place
Find-GMapPlace -Query "Krause's cafe" -GoogleAPIKey $googleAPIKey
Find-GMapPlace -Query '+18306252807' -GoogleAPIKey $googleAPIKey
Find-GMapPlace -Query 'cafe' -PointLatitude '29.7049806' -PointLongitude '-98.068343' -GoogleAPIKey $googleAPIKey
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# I want to search for a type of place
Search-GMapText -Query "Cupcakes" -Type bakery -AllSearchResults -GoogleAPIKey $googleAPIKey
Search-GMapText -Query "italian restaurants in New York" -MinPrice 4 -GoogleAPIKey $googleAPIKey
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# I want to search for nearby places
Search-GMapNearbyPlace -Latitude '29.7049806' -Longitude '-98.068343' -Radius 5000 -GoogleAPIKey $googleAPIKey
Search-GMapNearbyPlace -Latitude '29.7049806' -Longitude '-98.068343' -Radius 10000 -RankByProminence -Keyword 'butcher' -Type store -GoogleAPIKey $googleAPIKey
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# I want to get very detailed information about a place - place ID retrieved from other commands
Get-GMapPlaceDetail -PlaceID 'ChIJf9Yxhme9XIYRkXo-Bl62Q10' -Contact -Atmosphere -GoogleAPIKey $googleAPIKey
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# I want to GeoCode an address
Invoke-GMapGeoCode -Address '148 S Castell Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130, United States' -GoogleAPIKey $googleAPIKey
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# I want to reverse GeoCode a location
Invoke-GMapGeoCode -Latitude '29.7012853' -Longitude '-98.1250235' -GoogleAPIKey $googleAPIKey
######################################################################################
# Bing Maps
$bingAPIKey = 'yourBingAPIKey'
######################################################################################
# I want to find a specific place
Find-BingPlace -Query "Krause's cafe" -BingMapsAPIKey $bingAPIKey
Find-BingPlace -Query 'cafe' -PointLatitude '29.7049806' -PointLongitude '-98.068343' -BingMapsAPIKey $bingAPIKey
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# I want to search for nearby places
Search-BingNearbyPlace -Type Attractions -BingMapsAPIKey $bingAPIKey
Search-BingNearbyPlace -Type CafeRestaurants -PointLatitude '29.7049806' -PointLongitude '-98.068343' -BingMapsAPIKey $bingAPIKey
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# I want to GeoCode an address
Invoke-BingGeoCode -AddressLine '148 S Castell Ave' -City 'New Braunfels' -State TX -PostalCode 78130 -BingMapsAPIKey $bingAPIKey
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# I want to reverse GeoCode a location
Invoke-BingGeoCode -Latitude '29.7030' -Longitude '-98.1245' -BingMapsAPIKey $bingAPIKey
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# I want to determine the Time Zone of a specific place
Find-BingTimeZone -Query 'New Braunfels, TX' -BingMapsAPIKey $bingAPIKey
Find-BingTimeZone -PointLatitude 29.70 -PointLongitude -98.11 -BingMapsAPIKey $bingAPIKey
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How pwshPlaces Works¶
pwshPlaces acts as a PowerShell wrapper for the Google Maps and Bing Maps APIs. It translates the capabilities of these powerful mapping services into easy-to-use PowerShell commands. This means you can harness the extensive features of these APIs directly within your PowerShell environment, without needing to delve into the complexities of direct API interaction.
Features¶
Features
- Support for both Bing Maps and Google Maps
- Find Places with Ease: Use commands to locate any place, from restaurants to landmarks, using simple queries.
- Open-Text Search Capabilities: Harness the power of flexible, text-based searches. Whether it’s "coffee shops in Amsterdam" or "art galleries in New York", get targeted results swiftly.
- Discover Nearby Points of Interest: Explore what's around you, be it parks, eateries, or museums, based on your current or specified location.
- Efficient Geocoding and Reverse Geocoding: Convert addresses to coordinates and vice versa, integrating geographical context into your data.
- In-depth Place Details: Dive deeper into specific locations to access comprehensive information like contact details, ratings, reviews, and more.
- Time Zone Information: Stay informed about the time zones of different places, making scheduling and planning across time zones simpler.
- Rapid Comparison and Decision Making: Compare ratings, prices, and other key information quickly and make informed decisions without wading through dense web pages.
- Customizable Search Parameters: Tailor your searches with various parameters like radius, price level, and types to get precisely what you're looking for.