PowerShell
PowerShell is an object-oriented, cross-platform task automation and configuration management framework from Microsoft, consisting of a command-line shell and scripting language. It was initially released on November 14, 2006, for Windows, and has since evolved to support other operating systems like Linux and macOS through the open-source project PowerShell Core.
History
- 2002-2006: Development of PowerShell began under the codename "Monad". It was designed to address the limitations of existing shell environments like Command Prompt and Windows Script Host.
- 2006: PowerShell 1.0 was released with Windows XP SP2, Windows Server 2003 SP1, and later with Windows Vista.
- 2009: PowerShell 2.0 came with Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, introducing features like remoting, background jobs, and integrated scripting environment.
- 2012: PowerShell 3.0, included in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, added enhancements like workflows and improved remoting capabilities.
- 2013: PowerShell 4.0 was released with Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2, focusing on performance improvements and new management capabilities.
- 2015: PowerShell 5.0 was integrated into Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016, bringing in features like Desired State Configuration (DSC), enhanced security, and a more robust PowerShell ISE.
- 2016: Microsoft announced PowerShell Core as part of the .NET Core project, aiming for cross-platform compatibility.
- 2018: PowerShell Core 6.0 was released, marking the first major version of PowerShell available on Linux and macOS.
Key Features
- Object-Oriented Pipeline: Unlike traditional shells, PowerShell works with .NET objects rather than just strings, allowing for more powerful and flexible scripting.
- Remoting: Allows users to run commands on one or more remote machines.
- Scripting Language: Includes syntax that supports variables, loops, conditional statements, and functions, making it a full-fledged programming language.
- Integration with .NET: PowerShell can use any .NET classes, providing access to the full power of the .NET framework.
- Security: Implements execution policies to help prevent unauthorized scripts from running.
- Desired State Configuration: A declarative language used to define and enforce system configurations.
- Cross-Platform: With the advent of PowerShell Core, PowerShell can now run on Linux and macOS alongside Windows.
Usage
PowerShell is widely used for:
- System administration, particularly in managing Windows environments.
- Automating repetitive tasks.
- Configuration management with DSC.
- Cloud management, especially with services like Azure.
External Links
See Also