book

Mastering PowerShell Scripting - Fourth Edition

Name: Mastering PowerShell Scripting - Fourth Edition
Author: Chris Dent
ISBN: 9781800206540

by Chris Dent

June 2021

Beginner

788 pages

17h

English

Packt Publishing

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Preface
Who this book is forWhat this book coversTo get the most out of this bookGet in touch
Introduction to PowerShell
What is PowerShell?PowerShell editorsGetting helpUpdatable helpThe Get-Help commandSyntaxExamplesParameterDetailed and Full switchesSave-HelpUpdate-HelpAbout_* help filesCommand naming and discoveryVerbsNounsFinding commandsAliasesParameters, values, and parameter setsParametersOptional parametersOptional positional parametersMandatory parametersMandatory positional parametersSwitch parametersParameter valuesParameter setsCommon parametersConfirm and WhatIfConfirm and ConfirmPreferenceWhatIf and WhatIfPreferenceForce parameterPassThru parameterIntroduction to providersDrives and providersIntroduction to splattingSplatting to avoid long linesConditional use of parametersSplatting to avoid repetitionSplatting and positional parametersParser modesExperimental featuresSummary
Modules and Snap-Ins
Introducing modulesThe Get-Module commandThe Import-Module commandThe Remove-Module commandPSModulePath in PowerShellUsing Windows PowerShell modules in PowerShell 7Finding and installing modulesWhat is the PowerShell Gallery?The Find-Module commandThe Install-Module commandThe Update-Module commandThe Save-Module commandPowerShellGet 3.0RepositoriesVersion rangesPowerShell repositoriesCreating an SMB repositoryNuGet repositoriesAbout snap-insSummary
Working with Objects in PowerShell
PipelinesStandard outputNon-standard outputThe object pipelineMembersThe Get-Member commandAccessing object propertiesAccess modifiersUsing methodsThe Add-Member commandEnumerating and filteringThe ForEach-Object commandBegin and End parametersThe Parallel parameterThe MemberName parameterThe Where-Object commandSelecting and sortingThe Select-Object commandCalculated propertiesThe ExpandProperty parameterThe Unique parameterProperty setsThe Sort-Object commandGrouping and measuringThe Group-Object commandThe Measure-Object commandComparingImporting, exporting, and convertingThe Export-Csv commandThe Import-Csv commandExport-Clixml and Import-ClixmlThe Tee-Object commandSummary
Operators
Arithmetic operatorsOperator precedenceAddition and subtraction operatorsAddition operatorSubtraction operatorMultiplication, division, and remainder operatorsMultiplication operatorDivision operatorRemainder operatorAssignment operatorsAssign, add and assign, and subtract and assignMultiply and assign, divide and assign, and modulus and assignStatements can be assigned to a variableComparison operatorsCase sensitivityComparison operators and arraysComparisons to nullEqual to and not equal toLike and not likeGreater than and less thanContains and inRegular expression-based operatorsMatch and not matchReplaceSplitLogical operatorsAndOrExclusive orNotBinary operatorsBinary andBinary orBinary exclusive orBinary notShift left and shift right operatorsType operatorsAsis and isnotRedirection operatorsRedirection to a fileRedirecting streams to standard outputRedirection to nullOther operatorsCallCommaFormatIncrement and decrementJoinTernaryNull coalescingNull coalescing assignmentNull conditionalPipeline chainBackgroundSummary
Variables, Arrays, and Hashtables
Naming and creating variablesObjects assigned to variablesVariable commandsClear-VariableGet-VariableNew-VariableRemove-VariableSet-VariableVariable providerScopes and variablesAccessing variablesScope modifiersNumeric scopesPrivate variablesTypes and type conversionTyped numeric valuesArraysCreating an arrayArrays with a typeAdding elements to an arraySelecting elements from an arrayChanging element values in an arrayRemoving elementsRemoving elements by indexRemoving elements by valueClearing an arrayFilling variables from arraysMulti-dimensional and jagged arraysHashtablesCreating a HashtableAdding and changing Hashtable elementsSelecting elements from a HashtableEnumerating a HashtableRemoving elements from a HashtableLists, dictionaries, queues, and stacksSystem.Collections.Generic.ListCreating a listAdding elements to the listSelecting elements from the listRemoving elements from the listChanging element values in a listSystem.Collections.Generic.DictionaryCreating a dictionaryAdding and changing elements in a dictionarySelecting elements from a dictionaryEnumerating a dictionaryRemoving elements from a dictionarySystem.Collections.Generic.QueueCreating a queueEnumerating the queueAdding elements to the queueRemoving elements from the queueSystem.Collections.Generic.StackCreating a stackEnumerating the stackAdding elements to the stackRemoving elements from the stackSummary
Conditional Statements and Loops
if, else, and elseifAssignment within if statementsswitchswitch and arraysswitch and fileswildcard and regexScript block casesSwitch, break, and continueLoopsForeach loopfor loopdo until and do while loopsWhile loopLoops, break, and continueBreak and continue outside loopsLoops and labelsImplicit BooleanSummary
Working with .NET
AssembliesAbout the Global Assembly CacheTypesEnumerationsClassesNamespacesThe using keywordUsing namespacesUsing assembliesType acceleratorsMembersConstructorsPropertiesMethodsFluent interfacesStatic methodsAbout the new methodStatic propertiesReflection in PowerShellThe TypeAccelerators typeThe ArgumentTypeConverterAttribute typeSummary
Strings, Numbers, and Dates
Manipulating stringsIndexing into stringsSubstringSplitReplaceTrim, TrimStart, and TrimEndInsert and RemoveIndexOf and LastIndexOfPadLeft and PadRightToUpper, ToLower, and ToTitleCaseContains, StartsWith, and EndsWithString methods and arraysChaining methodsConverting stringsThe *-Csv commandsConvertFrom-StringDataConvert-StringConvertFrom-StringWorking with Base64Manipulating numbersLarge byte valuesPower of 10HexadecimalUsing System.MathConverting strings into numeric valuesManipulating dates and timesParsing datesChanging datesDateTime parametersComparing datesSummary
Regular Expressions
Regex basicsLiteral charactersAny character (.)Repetition with * and +The escape character (\)Optional charactersNon-printable charactersDebugging regular expressionsAnchorsQuantifiersExploring the quantifiersCharacter classesRangesNegated character classCharacter class subtractionShorthand character classesUnicode category classAlternationGroupingRepeating groupsRestricting alternationCapturing valuesNamed capture groupsNon-capturing groupsLook-ahead and look-behindThe .NET Regex typeRegex optionsExamples of regular expressionsMAC addressesIP addressesThe netstat commandFormatting certificatesSummary

Files, Folders, and the Registry
Working with providersNavigatingGetting itemsDrivesCreating providersItemsTesting for existing itemsCreating and deleting itemsInvoking itemsItem propertiesProperties and the filesystemAdding and removing file attributesRegistry valuesWindows permissionsAccess and auditRule protectionInheritance and propagation flagsRemoving ACEsCopying lists and entriesAdding ACEsFilesystem rightsRegistry rightsNumeric values in the ACLOwnershipTransactionsFile catalog commandsNew-FileCatalogTest-FileCatalogSummary
Windows Management Instrumentation
Working with WMIWMI classesWMI commandsCIM cmdletsGetting instancesGetting classesCalling methodsCreating instancesWorking with CIM sessionsAssociated classesThe WMI Query LanguageUnderstanding SELECT, WHERE, and FROMEscape sequences and wildcardsLogic operatorsComparison operatorsQuoting valuesAssociated classesWMI object pathsUsing ASSOCIATORS OFWMI Type AcceleratorsGetting instancesWorking with datesGetting classesCalling methodsCreating instancesAssociated classesPermissionsSharing permissionsCreating a shared directoryGetting a security descriptorAdding an access control entrySetting the security descriptorWMI permissionsGetting a security descriptorThe access maskWMI and SDDLSummary
Working with HTML, XML, and JSON
HTMLConvertTo-HtmlMultiple tablesAdding styleHTML and special charactersXML commandsAbout XMLElements and attributesNamespacesSchemasSelect-XmlSelect-Xml and namespacesConvertTo-XmlSystem.XmlThe XML type acceleratorXPath and XmlDocumentWorking with namespacesCreating XML documentsModifying element and attribute valuesAdding elementsRemoving elements and attributesCopying nodes between documentsSchema validationInfer a schemaSystem.Xml.LinqOpening documentsSelecting nodesCreating documentsWorking with namespacesModifying element and attribute valuesAdding nodesRemoving nodesSchema validationJSONConvertTo-JsonEnumsAsStringsAsArrayEscapeHandlingConvertFrom-JsonAsHashtableNoEnumerateSummary
Web Requests and Web Services
Technical requirementsWeb requestsHTTP methodsHTTPSBypassing SSL errors in Windows PowerShellCapturing SSL errorsWorking with RESTInvoke-RestMethodSimple requestsRequests with argumentsWorking with pagingWorking with authenticationUsing basic authenticationOAuthCreating an applicationGetting an authorization codeOAuth browser issuesRequesting an access tokenUsing a tokenWorking with SOAPFinding a SOAP serviceSOAP in Windows PowerShellNew-WebServiceProxyMethodsMethods and enumerationsMethods and SOAP objectsOverlapping servicesSOAP in PowerShell 7Getting the WSDL documentDiscovering methods and enumerationsRunning methodsSummary
Remoting and Remote Management
Technical requirementsWS-ManagementEnabling remotingGet-WSManInstanceThe WSMan driveRemoting and SSLSet-WSManQuickConfigRemoting and permissionsRemoting permissions GUIRemoting permissions by scriptUser Account ControlTrusted hostsPSSessionsNew-PSSessionGet-PSSessionInvoke-CommandLocal functions and remote sessionsUsing splatting with ArgumentListThe AsJob parameterDisconnected sessionsThe using variable scopeThe Enter-PSSession commandImport-PSSessionExport-PSSessionCopying items between sessionsRemoting on LinuxRemoting over SSHConnecting from Windows to LinuxConnecting from Linux to WindowsThe double-hop problemCredSSPPassing credentialsCIM sessionsNew-CimSessionGet-CimSessionUsing CIM sessionsJust Enough AdministrationSession configurationRole capabilitiesSummary
Asynchronous Processing
Working with jobsThe Start-Job, Get-Job, and Remove-Job commandsThe Receive-Job commandThe Wait-Job commandJobs and the using scope modifierThe background operatorThe ThreadJob moduleBatching jobsReacting to eventsThe Register-ObjectEvent and *-Event commandsThe Get-EventSubscriber and Unregister-Event commandsThe Action, Event, EventArgs, and MessageData parametersUsing runspaces and runspace poolsCreating a PowerShell instanceThe Invoke and BeginInvoke methodsThe EndInvoke method and the PSDataCollection objectRunning multiple instancesUsing the RunspacePool objectAbout the InitialSessionState objectAdding modules and snap-insAdding variablesAdding functionsUsing the InitialSessionState and RunspacePool objectsUsing Runspace-synchronized objectsSummary
Graphical User Interfaces
About Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)Designing a UIAbout XAMLDisplaying the UILayoutUsing the Grid controlUsing the StackPanel controlUsing the DockPanel controlAbout Margin and PaddingNaming and locating elementsHandling eventsButtons and the Click eventComboBox and SelectionChangedAdding elements programmaticallySorting a ListViewResponsive interfacesImport-Xaml and Runspace supportUsing the DispatcherSummary
Scripts, Functions, and Script Blocks
About styleCapabilities of scripts, functions, and script blocksScripts and using statementsScripts and RequiresNesting functionsScript blocks and closuresParameters and the param blockParameter typesDefault valuesCross-referencing parametersThe CmdletBinding attributeCommon parametersCmdletBinding propertiesShouldProcess and ShouldContinueShouldProcessShouldContinueThe Alias attributebegin, process, end, and cleanupbeginprocessendcleanupNamed blocks and returnManaging outputThe Out-Null commandAssigning to nullRedirecting to nullCasting to VoidWorking with long linesLine break after a pipeLine break after an operatorUsing the array operator to break up linesComment-based helpParameter helpExamplesSummary
Parameters, Validation, and Dynamic Parameters
The Parameter attributePosition and positional bindingThe DontShow propertyThe ValueFromRemainingArguments propertyThe HelpMessage propertyValidating inputThe PSTypeName attributeValidation attributesThe ValidateNotNull attributeThe ValidateNotNullOrEmpty attributeThe ValidateCount attributeThe ValidateDrive attributeThe ValidateUserDrive attributeThe ValidateLength attributeThe ValidatePattern attributeThe ValidateRange attributeThe ValidateScript attributeThe ValidateSet attributeThe Allow attributesThe AllowNull attributeThe AllowEmptyString attributeThe AllowEmptyCollection attributePSReference parametersPipeline inputAbout ValueFromPipelineAccepting null inputInput object typesUsing ValueFromPipeline for multiple parametersUsing PSTypeNameAbout ValueFromPipelineByPropertyNameValueFromPipelineByPropertyName and parameter aliasesDefining parameter setsArgument completersThe ArgumentCompleter attributeUsing Register-ArgumentCompleterListing registered argument completersDynamic parametersCreating a RuntimeDefinedParameter objectUsing RuntimeDefinedParameterDictionaryUsing dynamic parametersConditional parametersSummary
Classes and Enumerations
Defining an enumerationEnum and underlying typesAutomatic value assignmentEnum or ValidateSetThe Flags attributeUsing enumerations to convert a valueCreating a classPropertiesConstructorsMethodsThe Hidden modifierThe Static modifierInheritanceConstructors and inheritanceCalling methods in a parent classWorking with interfacesImplementing IComparableImplementing IEquatableSupporting castingClasses for parametersArgument-transformation attribute classesValidation attribute classesValidateArgumentsAttributeValidateEnumeratedArgumentsAttributeClasses for ValidateSetClasses and DSCImplementing GetImplementing SetImplementing TestUsing the resourceSummary
Building Modules
Technical requirementsCreating a moduleThe root moduleExport-ModuleMemberModule manifestsTest-ModuleManifestUpdate-ModuleManifestPublishing a modulePublishing and side-by-side versioningMulti-file module layoutDot sourcing module contentMerging module contentModuleBuilder and DSC resourcesModule scopeAccessing module scopeModules, classes, and enumerationsInitializing and removing modulesThe ScriptsToProcess propertyThe OnRemove eventSummary
Testing
Technical requirementsStatic analysisPSScriptAnalyzerConfigurable rulesSuppressing rulesUsing ASTVisualizing the ASTSearching the ASTTokenizerCustom script analyzer rulesCreating a custom ruleAST-based rulesToken-based rulesTesting with PesterTesting methodologiesWhat to testDescribing testsAbout the Describe and Context keywordsAbout the It keywordShould and assertionsTesting for errorsIteration with PesterUsing the TestCases parameterUsing the ForEach parameterConditional testingUsing Set-ItResultUsing SkipPester phasesBefore and After blocksMocking commandsParameter filteringOverriding mocksMocking non-local commandsMocking objectsAdding methods to PSCustomObjectDisarming .NET typesMocking CIM objectsInModuleScopePester in scriptsSummary
Error Handling
Error typesNon-terminating errorsTerminating errorsError actionsAbout Get-ErrorRaising errorsError recordsRaising non-terminating errorsUsing the WriteError methodRaising terminating errorsUsing the ThrowTerminatingError methodCatching errorsErrorVariabletry, catch, and finallyRethrowing errorsInconsistent error handlingthrow and ErrorActionNesting try, catch, and finallyAbout trapUsing traptrap, scope, and continueSummary
Debugging and Troubleshooting
Common problemsDash charactersOperator usageAssignment instead of equality-or instead of -andNegated array comparisonsUse of named blocksCode outside of a named blockPipeline without processProblems with variablesAbout strict modeVariables and typesTypes and reserved variablesDebugging in the consoleSetting a command breakpointUsing variable breakpointsSetting a line breakpointDebugging in Visual Studio CodeUsing the debuggerViewing the CALL STACKUsing launch configurationsUsing WATCHSummary
Other Books You May Enjoy
Index

Overview

Mastering PowerShell Scripting dives deep into scripting, automation, error handling, and data management using PowerShell 7.1. Offering accessible explanations and practical examples, this book takes you from fundamentals to advanced techniques like asynchronous processing and creating GUIs.

What this Book will help me do

Master PowerShell scripting to efficiently automate tasks.
Utilize advanced features for debugging and error handling.
Work with objects, operators, and regular expressions.
Implement asynchronous processing to enhance workflows.
Create and manage robust classes and modules.

Author(s)

Chris Dent is an experienced system administrator and PowerShell expert with years of hands-on expertise in automating environments. His teaching philosophy focuses on clear explanations and practical applications to enable readers to achieve their goals.

Who is it for?

This book is perfect for system administrators looking to master PowerShell scripting. Whether a beginner or an experienced user, you'll find this guide equally informative and practical for automating workflows and managing environments efficiently.

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Mastering PowerShell Scripting - Fifth Edition

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