Course Description

This course provides students with the advanced knowledge and skills to create production-quality scripts by using Windows PowerShell. It teaches students how to automate administrative tasks by using Windows PowerShell.

Students learn core scripting skills, such as creating advanced functions, writing controller scripts, and handling script errors. Students learn how to work with Windows PowerShell workflows, the REST API, XML-formatted data files, and JavaScript Object Notation (JSON)-formatted data files. Students also learn how to use new administration tools, such as Desired State Configuration (DSC) and Just Enough Administration (JEA), to configure and help secure servers.

The course outline is as follows

Module 1, “Creating advanced functions”

Learn how to parameter a command and create an advanced function, convert a script and function into a script module, define parameter attributes and input validation for a function, enumerate objects by using scripting constructs, modify a function to accept pipeline input, produce complex pipeline output in a function, document a function by using comment-based Help, and create functions that support -WhatIf and -Confirm to parameter a command into an advanced function.

Module 2, “Using Microsoft .NET Framework and REST API in Windows PowerShell”

This module explains how to use Microsoft .NET Framework and REST API to supplement functionality that Windows PowerShell commands provide.

Module 3, “Writing controller scripts”

Learn how to describe the difference between tools and controller scripts, write controller scripts that present a user interface, and write controller scripts that automate a business process.

Module 4, “Handling script errors”

Learn how to perform basic error handling in scripts. The module focuses on adding error handling to existing tools, primarily as a time-saving mechanism (as opposed to having students write new tools). A side benefit of this approach is that it helps build the skills needed to analyze and reuse existing code written by someone else. Topics include describing the shell’s default error response

mechanisms and adding error handling code to existing tools.

Module 5, “Using XML, JSON, and custom-formatted data”

Learn how to read, manipulate, and write data in the XML and JSON formats.

Module 6, “Enhancing server management with Desired State Configuration and Just Enough Administration”

Explains how to write Desired State Configuration (DSC) configuration files, deploy those files to servers, and monitor servers’ configurations. This module also explains how to restrict administrative access by using Just Enough Administration (JEA).

Module 7, “Analyzing and debugging scripts”

Learn how to use native Windows PowerShell features to analyse and debug existing scripts. Additionally, students analyse and debug an existing script.

Module 8, "Understanding Windows PowerShell Workflow”

Learn about the features of the Windows PowerShell Workflow technology.