What are some good resources for learning PowerShell scripting?

Question

Are there online resources or books that you would recommend as an introduction to PowerShell scripting? The resources I've found primarily focus on interactive use.

Answer 1

Book-wise, I recommend both Windows PowerShell in Action by Bruce Payette and Windows PowerShell Cookbook by Lee Holmes. Payette's book is more of a deep dive into how PowerShell works, and the "Cookbook" is all about solving specific problems.

Answer 2

I found this site:

http://www.powershellpro.com/powershell-tutorial-introduction/

which seems to have some good information (via the links on the right sidebar).

Answer 3

I was going to say the PowerShell Guy. Cannot go wrong with a MVP.

Answer 4

You might look at a couple of the free e-books available as well, such as the two listed below. Effective Windows Powershell and The eBooklet Series: An Introduction to Microsoft PowerShell

Answer 5

I liked these two books:

• Windows PowerShell in Action by Bruce Payette
• Windows PowerShell Pocket Reference by Lee Holmes

Also, check out these sites:

• MS Script Center
• Scripting with Windows PowerShell
• The PowerShell blog
• PowerGUI

Answer 6

I would recommend the following eBooks and eBooklets:

• Mastering PowerShell, a 20-chapter eBook by Dr. Tobias Weltner (PowerShell MVP). This is an English version of Scripting mit Windows PowerShell - Der Einsteiger-Workshop (656 pages)
• Effective Windows PowerShell, free 50-page eBook by Keith Hill (PowerShell MVP)
• Two Windows PowerShell Workbooks including demo files and script examples (Introduction to Windows PowerShell (44 pages) and Administrative tasks with Windows PowerShell (78 pages) by Frank Koch
• PowerShell Day 1, a 10-page eBooklet by John D. Cook
• An Introduction to Microsoft PowerShell, a 28-page eBooklet by Don Jones (PowerShell MVP)

Answer 7

PowerShellCommunity.org is a portal to all kinds of PowerShell resources.

Answer 8

Try the Scripting Guy http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/resources/qanda/sept06/hey0926.mspx

Answer 9

Ars technica has an introductory article from when Powershell was still in beta and called Monad. It covers most of the basics and was a good starting point for beginners.

I also found dzone's Powershell cheat sheet handy.

Answer 10

Take a look at www.powershell.com. They have a very good and a comprehensive free e-book called Master-Powershell

Answer 11

You can get started now with a free eBook titled 'Mastering PowerShell'. The eBook was written by long time Windows PowerShell MVP Dr. Tobias Weltner and can be found on www.powershell.com in HTML or as a downloadable .pdf.

Look for an updated version of Mastering PowerShell on www.PowerShell.com very soon. The updated eBook will include Windows PowerShell v2 information and will be free to all members of www.powershell.com (membership to the community site is also free).

Answer 12

It might be worth concentrating on Powershell 2.0 as it will be released soon.

The CTP is currently available, more information here.

Answer 13

I strongly recommend #powershell on the FreeNode IRC Network. Several of the MVPs are in regular attendance and questions tend to get quick and excellent answers that include not only how by why.

Answer 14

The PowerScripting Podcast is pretty good; polished and listenable. I second PowerShell In Action, too. Great book.

We are starting a Script Club here, too - getting together and scripting with a bunch of other geeks is a great way to bounce ideas around and learn.

The BEST way to learn is to get your hands dirty. Pick a task and work through it, Googling as necessary. As new as PowerShell is, there are TONS of great blogs and resources out there.