PowerShell

PowerShell

PowerShell is a task automation and configuration management framework from Microsoft, consisting of a command-line shell and the associated scripting language. Initially a Windows component only, known as Windows PowerShell, it was made open-source and cross-platform on 18 August 2016 with the introduction of PowerShell Core. The latest iteration, PowerShell 7, combines the best features of both Windows PowerShell and PowerShell Core.

History

PowerShell was first released in November 2006 for Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista. It was designed to automate system tasks, such as batch processing, and to create system management tools for commonly implemented processes. PowerShell is built on the .NET Framework, and later, the .NET Core.

Features

PowerShell provides full access to COM and WMI, enabling administrators to perform administrative tasks on both local and remote Windows systems. It also provides a hosting API with which the PowerShell runtime can be embedded inside other applications.

Cmdlets

PowerShell introduces the concept of a "cmdlet" (pronounced "command-let"), a lightweight command that is used in the PowerShell environment. Cmdlets are specialized .NET classes that implement a particular operation. Cmdlets can be used independently or combined with other cmdlets in a pipeline to perform complex tasks.

Scripting Language

The PowerShell scripting language is designed to be easy to use for both interactive and scripting purposes. It supports variables, arrays, and has a rich set of built-in functions. Scripts can be written to automate tasks, and they can be executed directly from the command line or saved as .ps1 files.

Modules

PowerShell modules are packages that contain cmdlets, providers, functions, workflows, variables, and aliases. Modules can be loaded and unloaded dynamically, allowing for a modular approach to scripting and automation.

Versions

• Windows PowerShell 1.0 - Released in 2006.
• Windows PowerShell 2.0 - Introduced in 2009 with Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.
• Windows PowerShell 3.0 - Released in 2012 with Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012.
• Windows PowerShell 4.0 - Released in 2013 with Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2.
• Windows PowerShell 5.0 - Released in 2016 with Windows 10.
• PowerShell Core 6.0 - Released in January 2018, the first cross-platform version.
• PowerShell 7 - Released in March 2020, it is built on .NET Core 3.1 and is cross-platform.

Cross-Platform Support

With the release of PowerShell Core, PowerShell became available on Linux and macOS in addition to Windows. This cross-platform capability allows for a consistent scripting and automation experience across different operating systems.

Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE)

The PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE) is a host application for Windows PowerShell. It enables users to write, test, and debug scripts in a graphical environment. The ISE includes features such as syntax highlighting, tab completion, and a built-in debugger.

Security

PowerShell includes several security features to prevent the execution of malicious scripts. These include script signing, execution policies, and the ability to run scripts with restricted permissions.

Applications

PowerShell is widely used in system administration, DevOps, and cloud computing. It is a powerful tool for automating tasks, managing configurations, and deploying applications.

See Also

• Command Prompt
• Bash (Unix shell)
• Windows Management Instrumentation
• Microsoft Azure
• .NET Framework
• Scripting language