Mastering PowerShell Scripting

Use PowerShell to save time and reduce the potential for human error by writing scripts that automate the execution of tasks

Key Features

• Explores PowerShell as a programming language
• Take advantage of the features built into the PowerShell language in day-to-day automation
• Automation of complex tasks, data manipulation, and environment security

Book Description

Mastering PowerShell Scripting, Fifth Edition, can help you overcome any fears and become proficient in navigating PowerShell’s capabilities. This edition includes new chapters on debugging, troubleshooting, and creating GUIs. You will learn about the latest features of PowerShell 7.3, including working with parameters, objects, and .NET classes. The book covers basic and advanced topics, such as asynchronous processing, desired state configuration, managing large amounts of data, interacting with other services, and working with regular expressions and Windows Management Instrument (WMI). Discover how to efficiently use PowerShell’s automation features and error-handling techniques for more complex scripts and filters.

Starting with foundational knowledge, this extensive guide progresses to advanced concepts like using complex scripts and filters, asynchronous processing, desired state configuration, debugging, and error-handling techniques. You will learn how to effectively handle large data sets and interact with external services using PowerShell 7.3. Additionally, you’ll discover how to fully utilize PowerShell’s automation capabilities, including parsing data, manipulating regular expressions, and working with WMI using various methods.

What you will learn

• Create scripts that can be run on different systems
• PowerShell is highly extensible and can integrate with other programming languages
• Discover the powerful command-line interface that enables users to perform various operations with ease
• Create reusable scripts and functions in PowerShell
• Utilize PowerShell for various purposes, including system administration, automation, and data processing
• Integrate PowerShell with other technologies such as .NET, COM, and WMI
• Work with common data formats such as XML, JSON, and CSV in PowerShell
• Create custom PowerShell modules and cmdlets to extend its functionality

Who this book is for

This book is for system administrators who want to automate and speed up their processes using PowerShell and Windows PowerShell. You’ll need to know the basics of operating systems, but beginners with no prior experience with PowerShell will have no trouble following along.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction to PowerShell

Chapter 2: Modules

Chapter 3: Variables, Arrays, and Hashtables

Chapter 4: Working with Objects in PowerShell

Chapter 5: Operators

Chapter 6: Conditional Statements and Loops

Chapter 7: Working with .NET

Chapter 10: Files, Folders, and the Registry

Chapter 11: Windows Management Instrumentation

Chapter 12: Working with HTML, XML, and JSON

Chapter 13: Web Requests and Web Services

Chapter 14: Remoting and Remote Management

Chapter 15: Asynchronous Processing

Chapter 16: Graphical User Interfaces

Chapter 17: Scripts, Functions, and Script Blocks

Chapter 18: Parameters, Validation, and Dynamic Parameters

Chapter 19: Classes and Enumerations

Chapter 21: Testing

Chapter 22: Error Handling

Chapter 23: Debugging

About the Author

Chris Dent is an automation specialist with deep expertise in the PowerShell language. Chris is often found answering questions about PowerShell in both the UK and virtual PowerShell user groups. Chris has been developing in PowerShell since 2007 and has released several modules over the years.