Windows PowerShell Scripting and Toolmaking

Run Windows PowerShell scripts.

Use variables and operators.

Describe and use scripting constructs.

Describe the operation of Windows PowerShell scope.

This module explains how to start with an existing command and parameterize it to create a reusable tool.

Designing Parameters

Implementing Parameters

Identify changeable values

Declare parameters

Use parameters in place of changeable values

Test the script

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Evolve a command into a parameterized script.

This module explains how to turn a basic script into a script module that can be distributed, loaded, and unloaded in Windows PowerShell.

Designing Script Modules

Implementing Script Modules

Creating a Script Module

Saving the script module

Adding a module-level variable

Controlling module member visibility

Testing the script module

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Create a script module based upon an existing script or function.

This module explains how to trap and handle errors within a script module.

Designing Error Handling

Implementing Error Handling

Using the Try…Catch Construct

Handling Command Errors

Handling Non-Command Errors

Logging Errors to a File

Displaying Warning Messages

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Describe and use the Try…Catch construct.

Handle command errors.

Handle non-command errors.

Log errors to a file.

Display warning messages.

This module explains how to write commands that integrate with the Windows PowerShell pipeline. Students will create commands that produce pipeline output and that accept pipeline input.

Understanding Pipeline Parameter Binding

Implementing Pipeline Parameter Input

Implementing Pipeline Parameter Input

Adding Pipeline Input Capability to Parameters

Working with Pipeline Input

Creating Custom Output Objects

Outputting Objects to the Pipeline

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Create commands that accept pipeline input.

Create commands that consolidate multiple data sources into Windows PowerShell pipeline output.

This module explains how to create, and use, object-oriented output that includes object hierarchies.

Designing Complex Command Output

Implementing Complex Command Output

Using Object Hierarchies

Retrieving and Enumerating Data

Creating Child Objects

Creating the Parent Object

Displaying and Object Hierarchy

Persisting an Object Hierarchy

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Create hierarchical, object-oriented command output.

Use hierarchical, object—oriented command output.

This module explains Windows PowerShell techniques used to debug scripts, and provides students with opportunities to practice debugging skills.

Designing Scripts for Debugging

Implementing Script Debugging

Using Write-Debug

Using PSBreakpoints

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Debug scripts by using Write-Debug.

Debug scripts by using PSBreakpoints.

This module explain how to create a custom formatting view that can be added to a script module.

Designing Formatting

Implementing Custom Formatting

Adding a Custom Type Name to an Object

Creating a DefaultDisplayPropertySet Type Extension

Creating a Custom View

Adding Type Extensions and Views to Modules and Creating a Module Manifest

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Create custom type extensions.

Create custom views.

This module explains how to declare parameter aliases, help messages, and input validation. It also explains how to implement switch parameters, how to add support for the –WhatIf and –Confirm parameters, and how to add comment-based help to a command.

Implementing Advanced Parameter Attribtues

Implementing Help Documentation

Defining Aliases and Help Messages

Defining Parameter Validation

Adding Comment-Based Help

Writing a Command that Uses –Confirm and -WhatIf

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Add advanced parameter attributes, including aliases and validation.

Create comment-based documentation for commands.

Write commands that use –WhatIf and –Confirm parameters.

This module explains how to create scripts that implement complex business processes by running multiple tools in a specified sequence.

Designing Script Execution

Implementing a Controller Script

Creating a Controller Script

Parameterizing a Controller Script

Testing a Controller Script

Debugging a Controller Script

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Implement controller scripts by combining specified tools.

Test and debug controller scripts.

This module explains how to write controller scripts that produce HTML-based management reports.

Creating Basic HTML Reports

Creating Enhanced HTML Reports

Creating Reports by using HTML

Converting Objects into HTML Fragments

Combining HTML Fragments

Adding Basic Formatting

Creating Enhanced HTML Fragments

Applying Conditional Formatting

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Create basic and enhanced HTML reports that include specified management information.

This modules explains the key differences between Windows PowerShell functions and workflows, and shows students how to create a basic workflow.

Understanding Workflows

Implementing Workflows

Importing the PSWorkflow Module

Converting a Function to a Basic Worklfow

Parallelizing Commands

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Describe the differences between a Windows PowerShell function and a workflow

Convert a function to a workflow

Run a workflow that includes parallel execution

This module explains how Windows PowerShell interprets, represents, and manipulates XML-based data.

Understanding XML

Implementing XML Manipulation

Loading XML

Manipulating XML as an Object Hierarchy

Selecting XML Elements by using XPath

Modifying XML

Saving XML

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Load, manipulate, and save data in XML formats.

This module explains how to use advanced scripting techniques, including execution of external commands and graphical user interfaces.

Using External Functionality

Adding Graphical User Interface Elements

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Run external commands from inside Windows PowerShell

Describe the process required to create a graphical user interface in Windows PowerShell

This module explains how to create proxy functions in Windows PowerShell.

Designing Proxy Functions

Implementing Proxy Functions

Generating a Proxy Function Template

Modifying the Template

Using the Proxy Function

Bypassing a Proxy Function

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Create and modify proxy functions in Windows PowerShell

This module is a “final exam” for the course, and offers students the opportunity to build a complete tool, from scratch, using many of the techniques that they have learned in the preceding days.

Designing the Tool

Implementing the Tool

Testing the Tool

Designing the Tool

Implementing the Tool

Testing the Tool

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Design, create, and test tools in Windows PowerShell