Windows PowerShell

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PowerShell (PS) is a command shell and scripting language built on the .NET Framework that uses cmdlets for Windows automation.

• similar command line capabilities as UNIX and Linux systems
• Early editions of Windows utilized the command prompt (cmd.exe)
  • still supported by new editions of Windows
• PowerShell offers far greater capability and is well suited to scripting
• syntax is different than Linux shell scripting
• uses cmdlets that utilize a Verb-Noun syntax
  • e.g.,
    • Get-Help
    • Invoke-Command
    • New-Item
    • Set-Content
• scripts use .ps1 extension
• supports redirection
• define variable: $var = value
  • uses $ in the definition
• specify variable type: [int]$var = value

 Windows provides the PowerShell ISE (Integrated Scripting Environment) which is designed to help craft scripts.

Example

New-Item MyFile.txt -ItemType File
Add-Content .\MyFile.txt 'Hello, World'
Get-Content .\MyFile.txt

Redirection Example

Get-EventLog -LogName Security -InstanceId 4625 > logonfails.txt