What is the best way you jump-started your Powershell adoption?
What resources, tips, scenarios got you up to speed quickly?
asked Jun 22, 2009 at 13:11
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8 Answers
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/scriptcenter/default.aspx
Massively useful for all forms of scripting. In the past I learned VBScript and WMI through the Script Center, and it now has a lot of useful stuff on Powershell scripting.
JR
answered Jun 22, 2009 at 13:21
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Good link... but a bit Nebulus as well. Anything that took you from ZERO to 60mph? Jun 22, 2009 at 13:22
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As Doug says below, I found the best approach was to choose a problem. Then search the Script Center for example code and do it. The Powershell language is very simple, it's learning all the useful scriplets and objects supplied by Powershell that takes the time. If you sit down and start coding, with the Script center to hand, you'll be surprised how quickly you pick it up. Jun 22, 2009 at 13:30
books:
I would start with this one.
These two books are more advanced.
Windows PowerShell in Action
A great source of information, the definite reference for PowerShell.Windows PowerShell Cookbook
This Cookbook provides hundreds of tested scripts that you can use right away to administer Windows systems.
Picking specific tasks at work and forcing myself to do them in PowerShell instead of in VBS or manually. No pain, no gain.
Also, the PowerScripting Podcast is a pretty good resource to help you learn even when you aren't actively coding.
answered Jun 22, 2009 at 13:25
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Agree on the specific task part. But surely you had some tidbit, tool, URL, etc that got it clicking for you. That's what I'm after... Jun 22, 2009 at 13:31
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1Not really - the closest I can come to a "specific tool" is PowerShell In Action. Jun 22, 2009 at 13:36
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And some videos of Snover that are positively inspiring. The one with Erik Meijer is great. Jun 22, 2009 at 13:38
Watch the powershell webcasts from the technet events site.
1- Introducing Windows PowerShell
2- One Cmdlet, Two Cmdlet, Three Cmdlet, Four:
3- Objects, Objects Everywhere: Working With Objects in Windows PowerShell
4- New Kid on the Scriptblock: Writing Scripts in Windows PowerShell
5- Amazing But True: Things You Never Dreamt You Could Do in Windows PowerShell
After watching those for some hands on training you can take the interactive labcast If you don't have an environment to play in you can use the virtual lab
Windows Powershell in Action gets my vote for most useful reference book and its very readable. The forums in powershellcommmunity are useful. Most of the information I've found is from blogs. Here's a partial list of Powershell blogs. I'm also a fan of user groups, but do not have one in my area, so I try to attend online. The Powerscripting Podcast and Virtual Powershell User Group are couple examples of user groups/shows.
As noted you should commit to doing your next project in Powershell to really learn it.
I worked through PowerShell.com's Master PowerShell eBook. I have a solid background in VBScript and a pretty good understanding of OO concepts, which probably helps as well.
answered Jul 9, 2009 at 20:11
Some good pieces of advice can also be found on John D Cook website.
Review (and use) other people's code.
Three excellent sites for this being:
- The above mentioned, Script Center's Repository
- PoshCode.org - a repository of PowerShell scripts that are free for public use
- The Hey Scripting Guy blog - at least a script a day answering a specific need
And as a bonus, the most complete cheat-sheet I have found. (Unfortunately, I am not sure if that posting is the original source.)
answered Sep 23, 2009 at 21:05
