Microsoft has finally answered the prayers of system administrators and developers everywhere through the introduction of Windows PowerShell, a new scripting technology that enables the automation of system management tasks and the creation of system management tools. PowerShell runs on Windows XP, 2003, and Vista. Exchange Server 2007 and System Center Operations Manager 2007 will be built on Windows PowerShell. Unlike traditional Windows shell scripting, PowerShell scripting is object based and is designed to work with the .NET framework. Microsoft Windows PowerShell Programming for the Absolute Beginner teaches readers how to program using Microsoft's new PowerShell scripting language through the creation of computer games. No prior knowledge of programming in any language is required. Topics covered include the Windows PowerShell Command Line, object based scripting with .NET, writing PowerShell Scripts, working with variables, arrays and hashes, implementing conditional logic, using loops to process data, organizing scripts using functions, basic system administration, and much more.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 13 Ratings

Not for people with any programming experience - 2008-06-15
Reviewer Rating:
I admit, this review maybe a little biased, because I do have some programming experience, but I didn't have any powershell experience so I bought this and the Manning book in the amazon package deal. This book is what it says, for absolute beginners. It babies you through gaming examples more so by throwing code at you and hoping you pick it up, as opposed to explaining what is really going on. Also, half the pages are filled with charts and lists of powershell commands that our easily accessible using powershell itself. Additionally, the book does not focus on any of the more intermediate topics except for a 10 page or so focus on system administration. In all reality, if you have no programming experience at all, this is the book for you. If you have used the command line extensively and/or any scripting language (or really any language), get the Manning book and don't waste your time with this one.

Try something else - 2008-07-07
Reviewer Rating:
I was disappointed with this book. I personally dislike technical books that bring the writers family/children into it -- send those things into Family Circle. The programming style was poor -- bad for later maintenance and a bad thing to teach beginners. Possibly ok for seasoned programmers, but there are other ways to use one's time. I found too many errors for my taste. Of the first 150 pages, I think it could have been reduced to about 20, at most. In short, I will have to read another book to accomplish what this one was supposed to do.

Great for beginners! - 2009-06-17
Reviewer Rating:
I got this book a couple of weeks ago and I'm going through it a page at a time. This book has been a fantastic resource for me to learn Powershell. I would recommend it for everyone does not yet understand Powershell and has very little programming experience.

This book has helped me pick up this language and go from trying to pick my way through scripts to understand how to do something, to actually scripting my own concepts and needs. It does not cover a lot of the advanced topics in books like "Windows Powershell in Action" by Bruce Payette (which I recommend highly but only for someone with more experience) but it wasn't meant to.

This has been a great resource for me.

Hope this helps

An OK book, but not really my style. - 2009-01-08
Reviewer Rating:
I took this book up in hopes it would provide the trail of breadcrumbs needed for an absolute beginner to learn the basics of Powershell. Instead I tossed in the towel half way through chapter 4.

Jerry Lee Ford's disjointed presentation style was somewhat difficult to follow and often presented examples of things only to be partly explained several chapters later.

Additionally, there were too many times where he would introduce several new concepts in a script example only to explain one or two of them, and then only to say how it might be useful for yada, yada.

System admins considering a more comprehensive entry level Powershell book should instead consider Professional Windows PowerShell by Andrew Watt. It does a much better job of setting a foundation, but I would not call that book non-developer per se, as an aptitude for development is prerequisite for scripting.

good for beginners with no shell scripting experience - 2008-09-15
Reviewer Rating:
this is good if you want to get started quickly enough. Once you understand the syntax and stuff and concept, you can always find canned scripts from google and adjust to your needs. Thats why I give this book 5 stars since it helps you be a powershell programmer quickly.

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