Windows PowerShell

What is Windows PowerShell?

PowerShell is the command-line/scripting environment from Microsoft and was released on November 14, 2006. The overall goal for this project was to provide the best shell scripting environment possible for Microsoft Windows. The PowerShell language and runtime were designed from scratch to be an optimal environment for the modern Windows operating system.

Historically, the Windows command line has been weak. This is mainly the result of the early focus in Microsoft on computing for the average user, who is neither particularly technical nor particularly interested in computers. Most of the development effort for Windows was put into improving the graphical environment for the non- technical user, rather than creating an environment for the computer professional. Although this was certainly an enormously successful commercial strategy for Microsoft, it has left some segments of the community under-served. (Source: PowerShell In Action)

Some Useful PowerShell Resources 
• PowerShell Blog
• How to create your first Cmdlet
• Windows PowerShell SDK
• Windows PowerShell Programmer’s Guide

Windows PowerShell™ includes the following features:

• Cmdlets for performing common system administration tasks, such as managing the registry, services, processes, and event logs, and using Windows Management Instrumentation.
• A task-based scripting language and support for existing scripts and command-line tools.
• Consistent design. Because cmdlets and system data stores use common syntax and naming conventions, data can be shared easily and the output from one cmdlet can be used as the input to another cmdlet without reformatting or manipulation.
• Simplified, command-based navigation of the operating system, which lets users navigate the registry and other data stores by using the same techniques that they use to navigate the file system.
• Powerful object manipulation capabilities. Objects can be directly manipulated or sent to other tools or databases.
• Extensible interface. Independent software vendors and enterprise developers can build custom tools and utilities to administer their software.

Learning Windows PowerShell

To begin learning Windows PowerShell, start with the following resources, which are included in the tool:

• Getting Started. A brief introduction and tutorial. To open it, click Start, All Programs, Windows PowerShell 1.0, and then click Getting Started.
• User Guide. A detailed introduction, including real-world scripts and scenarios to get you started.
• Get-Help cmdlet. A Windows PowerShell™ cmdlet that you can use to quickly learn about the cmdlets and providers on your system. To begin, start Windows PowerShell™, and at the prompt, type: get-help
• To learn about the Windows PowerShell scripting language and other concepts, read the “about” topics. To see a list of “about” topics, type: get-help about (Source: Microsoft TechNet)