This module explains how to start the scripting process by beginning in the interactive shell console.

Lessons

• Why start with a command?
• Discovery and experimentation

Lab 1: Designing a Tool

• Start with a command

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the benefits of discovery and experimentation in the console
• Discover and experiment with existing commands in the console

This module explains how to build a basic function and module, using commands already experimented with in the shell.

Lessons

• Start with a basic function
• Create a script module
• Check prerequisites
• Run the new command

Lab 1: Designing a Tool

• Build a basic function and module

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Build a basic function
• Create a script module
• Run a command from a script module

This module explains how to extend the functionality of a tool, parameterize input values, and use CmdletBinding.

Lessons

• About CmdletBinding and common parameters
• Accepting pipeline input
• Mandatory-ness
• Parameter validation
• Parmeter aliases

Lab 1: Designing a Tool

• Adding CmdletBinding and Parameterizing

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the purpose of CmdletBinding and list common parameters
• Parameterize a script’s input
• Define parameters as mandatory
• Define parameters as accepting pipeline input
• Define parameter validation

This module explains how to create tools that produce custom objects as output.

Lessons

• Assembling information
• Constructing and emitting output
• Quick tests

Lab 1: Designing a Tool

• Emitting objects as output

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the purpose of object-based output
• Create and output custom objects from a function

This module explains how to re-think tool design, using concrete examples of how it’s often done wrong.

Lessons

• Examining a script
• Critiquing a script
• Revising the script

Lab 1: No lab

• Click here to enter text.

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the native patterns that a good tool design should exhibit
• Redesign a script to meet business requirements and conform to native patterns

This module explains how to use additional output pipelines for better script behaviors.

Lessons

• Knowing the six channels
• Adding verbose and warning output
• Doing more with verbose output
• Informational output

Lab 1: Designing a Tool

• Using Verbose, Warning, and Informational Output

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the six output channels in the shell
• Write commands that use verbose, warning, and informational output
• Run commands with extra output enabled

This module explains how to add comment-based help to tools.

Lessons

• Where to put your help
• Getting started
• Going further with comment-based help
• Broken help

Lab 1: Designing a Tool

• Comment-based help

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the purpose and construction of comment-based help
• Add comment-based help to a function
• Identify causes of broken comment-based help

This module explains how to create tools that deal with anticipated errors.

Lessons

• Understanding errors and exceptions
• Bad handling
• Two reasons for exception handling
• Handling exceptions in our tool
• Capturing the actual exception
• Handling exceptions for non-commands
• Going further with exception handling
• Deprecated exception handling

Lab 1: Designing a Tool

• Handling errors

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the native patterns for handling errors in a command
• Add error handling to a command
• Run a command and observe error handling behaviors

This module explains how to use native PowerShell script debugging tools.

Lessons

• Two kinds of bugs
• The ultimate goal of debugging
• Developing assumptions
• Write-Debug
• Set-PSBreakpoint
• The PowerShell ISE

Lab 1: Designing a Tool

• Basic debugging

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the tools used for debugging in PowerShell
• Debug a broken script

This module explains how to further define parameter attributes in a PowerShell command.

Lessons

• Parameter positions
• Validation
• Multiple parameter sets
• Value from remaining arguments
• Help messages
• Aliases
• More CmdletBinding

Lab 1: No Lab

• Click here to enter text.

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the use of positional parameters
• Describe additional parameter validation methods
• Describe how to define multiple parameter sets
• Describe other parameter definition options

This module explains how to create external help for a command.

Lessons

• External help
• Using PlatyPs
• Supporting online help
• “About” topics
• Making your help updatable

Lab 1: Designing a Tool

• Writing full help

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the advantages of external help
• Create external help using PlatyPS and Markdown

This module explains how to use Pester to perform basic unit testing.

Lessons

• Sketching out the test
• Making something to test
• Expanding the test
• Going further with Pester

Lab 1: Designing a Tool

• Unit testing your code

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the purpose of unit testing
• Write basic unit tests for PowerShell functions

This module explains how to extend objects with additional capabilities.

Lessons

• Understanding types
• The Extensible Type System
• Extending an object
• Using Update-TypeData

Lab 1: No Lab

• Click here to enter text.

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the purpose of the ETS
• Extend an existing object type

This module explains how to use Script Analyzer to support best practices and prevent common problems.

Lessons

• Performing a basic analysis
• Analyzing the analysis

Lab 1: Designing a Tool

• Analyzing your script

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the use of Script Analyzer
• Perform a basic script analysis

This module explains how to publish tools to public and private repositories.

Lessons

• Begin with a manifest
• Publishing to PowerShell Gallery
• Publishing to private repositories

Lab 1: Designing a Tool

• Publishing your tools

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the tool publishing process and requirements
• Publish a tool to a repository

This module explains how to create controller scripts that put tools to use.

Lessons

• Building a menu
• Using UIChoice
• Writing a process controller

Lab 1: Designing a Tool

• Basic controllers

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the purpose of basic controller scripts
• Write a simple controller script

This module explains how to create and use proxy functions.

Lessons

• A proxy example
• Creating the proxy base
• Modifying the proxy
• Adding or removing parameters

Lab 1: Designing a Tool

• Proxy functions

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the purpose of proxy functions
• Create a simple proxy function

This module explains how to work with XML data in PowerShell.

Lessons

• Simple: CliXML
• Importing native XML
• ConvertTo-XML
• Creating native XML from scratch

Lab 1: Designing a Tool

• Working with XML

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the use of XML within PowerShell
• Use XML data within a PowerShell function

This module explains how to using JSON data in PowerShell.

Lessons

• Converting to JSON
• Converting from JSON

Lab 1: Designing a Tool

• Working with JSON data

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the use of JSON data within PowerShell
• Use JSON data within a PowerShell function

This module explains how to use SQL Server from within a PowerShell script.

Lessons

• SQL Server terminology and facts
• Connecting to the server and database
• Writing a query
• Running a query
• Invoke-SqlCmd
• Thinking about tool design patterns

Lab 1: No Lab

• Click here to enter text.

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the use of SQL Server from within PowerShell
• Write and run SQL Server queries
• Design tools that use SQL Server for data storage

This module provides a chance for students to use everything they have learned in this course within a practical example.

Lessons

• Lab problem
• Break down the problem
• Do the design
• Test the commands
• Code the tool

Lab 1: Final Exam

• Lab one

Lab 2: Final Exam

• Lab two

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Create PowerShell tools, using native design patterns, from business requirements.

A. This training is ideal for IT professionals, system administrators, network administrators, and anyone interested in automating repetitive tasks and building custom tools using PowerShell. Basic knowledge of Windows operating system and command-line interface will be beneficial but not mandatory.

A. While there are no strict prerequisites, a fundamental understanding of Windows operating system and basic command-line usage will be helpful. Familiarity with scripting concepts or any programming language will also be advantageous.

A. The training covers a wide range of topics, including:

• PowerShell scripting fundamentals
• Working with variables, loops, and conditional statements
• Scripting best practices and error handling
• PowerShell remoting and background jobs
• Automating Active Directory tasks
• Managing Windows services and processes
• PowerShell modules and module development
• Building GUI-based tools using Windows Forms
• Script debugging and troubleshooting techniques

A. By the end of this training, you will have a solid understanding of PowerShell scripting and tool development concepts. You will be able to write scripts to automate administrative tasks, create custom tools with graphical user interfaces, and troubleshoot PowerShell scripts effectively.

A. Yes, the training includes numerous hands-on exercises and lab sessions to reinforce the concepts taught during the course. These exercises will allow you to practice writing PowerShell scripts, building tools, and solving real-world scenarios.

A. The duration of the training may vary depending on the format and delivery method. Typically, this training spans multiple days, with each day consisting of several hours of instruction, hands-on exercises, and discussions.

A. Yes, participants will receive comprehensive course materials, including slides, code samples, and additional reference materials to support their learning during and after the training.

A. No, this training does not include an exam or certification. However, it provides valuable knowledge and practical skills that can be applied in real-world scenarios and enhance your professional capabilities.

A. Yes, this training can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your organization. Customization options may include focusing on particular PowerShell modules, integrating specific tools, or addressing industry-specific use cases. To discuss customization options, you can reach out to us.

A. The training is delivered by experienced instructors who have expertise in PowerShell scripting and tool development. These instructors possess practical knowledge and industry experience, ensuring that the training is relevant and valuable to participants.

A. While the training itself provides comprehensive coverage of the subject matter, post-training support is provided for up to 180 days.