Learn PowerShell Scripting in a Month of Lunches 150637

Summary

Discover how scripting is different from command-line PowerShell, as you explore concrete hands-on examples in this handy guide. The book includes and expands on many of the techniques presented in Learn PowerShell Toolmaking in a Month of Lunches.

About the Technology

Automate it! With Microsoft's PowerShell language, you can write scripts to control nearly every aspect of Windows. Just master a few straightforward scripting skills, and you'll be able to eliminate repetitive manual tasks, create custom reusable tools, and build effective pipelines and workflows. Once you start scripting in PowerShell, you'll be amazed at how many opportunities you'll find to save time and effort.

About the Book

Learn PowerShell Scripting in a Month of Lunches teaches you how to expand your command-line PowerShell skills into effective scripts and tools. In 27 bite-size lessons, you'll discover instantly useful techniques for writing efficient code, finding and squashing bugs, organizing your scripts into libraries, and much more. Advanced scripters will even learn to access the .NET Framework, store data long term, and create nice user interfaces.

What's Inside

• Designing functions and scripts
• Effective pipeline usage
• Dealing with errors and bugs
• Professional-grade scripting practices

About the Reader

Written for devs and IT pros comfortable with PowerShell and Windows.

About the Authors

Don Jones is a PowerShell MVP, speaker, and trainer who has written dozens of books on information technology topics. Jeffery Hicks is a PowerShell MVP and an independent consultant, trainer, and author. Don and Jeff coauthored Manning's Learn Windows PowerShell in a Month of Lunches, Learn PowerShell Toolmaking in a Month of Lunches, and PowerShell in Depth.

About the Author

Don Jones is a Microsoft MVP, speaker, and trainer. He developed the Microsoft PowerShell courseware and has taught SQL Server, PowerShell, and other practical technologies to more than 20,000 IT pros. Don writes for TechNet Magazine and blogs for WindowsITPro.com. He is the creator of the Month of Lunches series that covers PowerShell, IIS, Active Directory, SCCM, SQL Server, and more.

Jeffery Hicks is a PowerShell MVP with 20 years of IT experience. Jeff works as an independent consultant, trainer, and author and he has taught PowerShell to IT Professionals all over the world. He writes the popular Prof.PowerShell column for MCPMag.com and is a weekly contributor to the Petri IT Knowledgebase. Jeff blogs frequently on PowerShell related topics at http://jdhitsolutions.com/blog.

Table of Contents

PART 1 - INTRODUCTION TO SCRIPTING

Before you begin

Setting up your scripting environment

WWPD: what would PowerShell do?

Review: parameter binding and the PowerShell pipeline

Scripting language crash course

The many forms of scripting (and which to use)

Scripts and security

PART 2 - BUILDING A POWERSHELL SCRIPT

Always design first

Avoiding bugs: start with a command

Building a basic function and script module

Going advanced with your function

Objects: the best kind of output

Using all the pipelines

Simple help: making a comment

Dealing with errors

Filling out a manifest

PART 3 - GROWN-UP SCRIPTING

Changing your brain when it comes to scripting

Professional-grade scripting

An introduction to source control with git

Pestering your script

Signing your script

Publishing your script

PART 4 - ADVANCED TECHNIQUES

Squashing bugs

Making script output prettier

Wrapping up the .NET Framework

Storing data-not in Excel!

Never the end