Get started with Powershell ~ Recommend a book

[BrendonHiggins]

Can anyone recommend a book to get started with powershell?  I have limited programing skills and would like something with both examples and exercise to learn from.

Amazon lists over a 100 titles to choose from.

Thanks

Bren

[fjohn]

Microsoft Windows PowerShell Step by Step

By Ed Wilson, AKA the Microsoft Scripting Guys

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/book.aspx?ID=10329&locale=en-us

Happy Scripting

J

[marco_shaw]

Windows PowerShell 2.0 For Absolute Beginners

It is based on a v2 preview (CTP #3), so there are a few minor errors.

I'm an advanced user, but still leafed through it because I was curious.

[dirkpietersmits · Accepted solution]

I had the same problem finding some info to get started. Then I found this website http://www.powershellpro.com/ with some usefull tutorials. The site also has some book reviews, documents and downloads but I don't know how up to date they are 'cause I did not see anything new after june 2009...

Good luck!

Dirk-Pieter

[marco_shaw]

OK, we are now on PowerShell v2, as of October 2009.  Anything from v1, released October 2006, remains 99.99% relevant with v2.

V2 just builds on v1 in a general sense...

[martin_fisher]

Could always go back to basics and start with this:

Monad:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Monad-AKA-PowerShell-Introducing-Administrators/dp/0596100094

[marco_shaw]

Yes, do notice the smiley face!  Much has changed since it was "Monad"...  I have it for "sentimental reasons", but never refer to it.

[egrigson1]

Another option, although obviously more relevant if you're also scripting against VMWare.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Managing-VMware-Infrastructure-Windows-Powershell/dp/0982131402/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277478838&sr=8-1

There's loads of examples and an easy to read style.

Regards,

Ed.

[halr9000_]

1. Thanks Ed!

2. I actually have a PowerShell primer as one of the first chapters of my book, so that may be a good general resource for some as well.

Other resources:

• PowerShell: TFM. 1st edition is available as a free ebook, 2nd edition covers PowerShell v2
• PowerShell Cookbook by Lee Holmes (2nd edition due out soon, wait for that one)
• The PowerScripting Podcast - we link to resources and interview knowledgeable folks, some of whom are in this forum, apparently. I'm currently trying to get a Netapp guy on as a guest as well.

-hal

PowerShell MVP, podcast co-host, author, speaker, etc.

[marco_shaw]

Technically, the Sapien TFM book that covers the final v2 release is the 3rd edition.

The 2nd edition was a release based on v2 preview (CTP) code.

[fjohn]

I guess my bias is showing.  I've known Ed Wilson for a LONG time, since my days at Microsoft, and he's always been there for me.  He's a prolific author, with many books to his name, and the current Microsoft Scripting Guy.  I'd highly recommend any title by Ed, but that's just me I suppose.  Take it with a grain of salt.

Happy Scripting

J

[marco_shaw]

I agree that Ed's books are great.  He puts a lot of work into them and it shows.

[BrendonHiggins]

Thanks everyone for your recommendations.  I am sure this thread will continue to grow and I will be sure to post back what I find works for me.

Bren

[david_wallis]

Brendon,

Hope your well,

What is it your trying to do with powershell? drop me a mail if you get stuck or need a hand.

I tried learning it from a book and then realised that it wasnt going to work for me so I shelved the Idea. I now use powershell for most new scripts, especially vmware stuff. For me writing the scripts for our exchange migration taught me the most. So my advice is pick a task that you need to script and force yourself to learn that way.

Also a good editor helps, Quest have one iirc, I use notepad++ with the powershell syntax highlighting most of the time.

FWIW I have Windows Powershell Scripting Guide - Wilson and Windows Powershell for Exchange Server 2007 on my desk, but you cant beat google and poshcode

Cheers

David.

[ernest_brant]

Hi All

I too am starting to learn powershell, read some basic stuff , get the general idea etc. However I am not a scripter at heart. Books are helpful, but I was woundering if anyone here would be interested in WebXing into my lab, for a hour weeek or so (evening, weekends etc) for a fee (paypal) to teach me hand on?

Please let me know, if you are interested, thanks

Ernie

ErnestBrant@hotmail.co.uk

[sizemore]

Hands down the best book for a true beginer is the latest Don Jones book... http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Windows-PowerShell-Month-Lunches/dp/1617290211

All the other references are still valid, and you can never have too many good sources, but if you've never scripted at all I would start with the month of lunches.

~Glenn

[bsti]

I also recommend Windows Powershell in Action by Bruce Payette.  It's *very* thorough.

[ernest_brant]

Thanks Glenn and bsti I will check them out