What this book covers
Chapter 1, Variables, Arrays, and Hashes, explores the different data and object containers that you can use in PowerShell. These containers include variables, arrays, and hashes. This chapter provides examples on how to use these containers to store objects.
Chapter 2, Data Parsing and Manipulation, dives into the different data types and how to manipulate them in your scripts. These data type examples include strings, integers, dates, XML, and many more.
Chapter 3, Comparison Operators, evaluates multiple comparison operators and displays how to use each of these comparison operators. This chapter also displays how to leverage implied true and false comparison operators.
Chapter 4, Functions, Switches, and Loops Structures, displays the use of different data structures to perform repeatable actions. It provides examples on how to parse large arrays of data through looping structures and how to include overload parameters in these structures.
Chapter 5, Regular Expressions, explores PowerShell's implementation of regular expressions. It evaluates the built-in comparison operators that provide expression validation and how to create complex expressions.
Chapter 6, Error and Exception Handling and Testing Code, shows you how to create code in a robust manner to avoid exceptions during execution. This chapter explains various built-in error and exception handling techniques, as well as support for legacy systems that don't support PowerShell cmdlet triggers. It also explains the different items to be aware of during the testing cycle of your code.
Chapter 7, Session-based Remote Management, provides an insight into session-based management through PowerShell. It displays how to leverage the built-in WinRM to execute items on remote systems.
Chapter 8, Managing Files, Folders, and Registry Items, displays how to query, create, modify, and delete items in the filesystem and registry. This includes files, folders, registry keys, registry-named values, and properties.
Chapter 9, File, Folder, and Registry Attributes, ACLs, and Properties, dives deep into the interworking of files, folders, and registries. This chapter explains how to set file and folder standards and advanced attributes. It also displays how to manipulate ACLs to set permissions on files, folders, and registry items.
Chapter 10, Windows Management Instrumentation, explains how to use Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) to query local and remote systems for advanced system information and the different cmdlets that provide access to a system's WMI.
Chapter 11, XML Manipulation, explores eXtensible Markup Language (XML) and shows you how to interact with it using PowerShell. This chapter explains the different components that make up a proper XML document and how to interact with these individual components.
Chapter 12, Managing Microsoft Systems with Powershell, provides information on how to work with Windows users and groups, Windows services, Windows processes, and the manipulation of Windows features and roles.
Chapter 13, Automation of the Environment, explains how to invoke items for use with automation scripts. This chapter explains parent and child relationships because they pertain to linking scripts together. It also explores Desired Configuration Management (DCM) and configuration baselines.
Chapter 14, Script Creation Best Practices and Conclusion, provides best practice recommendations for utilizing PowerShell in your environment. This chapter concludes with some final thoughts from the author.
