Customer Reviews

Windows Powershell in Action

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Consider this book the Definitive Reference for PowerShell. Written by one of the designers of the PowerShell environment, the author knows all the ins and outs, back-alleys, hidden rooms, and secret handshakes the language offers - and isn't afraid to grab you by the hand and drag you along (like it or not!) for the tour of your life.

Therein, however, is the reason I can't recommend this as your first PowerShell book. The book is very logically planned out, the information very well presented in relatively easy to understand language, there is an abundance of script snippets to demonstrate what is being talked about, and the writing style itself is entertaining to read. But the author knows too much on the subject, and like any proud parent, often "too much information" is given, delving too deep into the gears and cogs of PowerShell and the underlying .NET framework for the (often basic) building block component, which might overwhelm the new PowerShell user, especially if the user does not have programming, let alone scripting, experience.

So although I say don't make this your first purchase, make it your second - and probably your last. Start with an "Introduction" style book (like Microsoft Windows Powershell Programming for the Absolute Beginner) to get used to the complex environment (even if you've only had VBS/JS experience), get comfortable with the basics of the shell, then move up to this title. You'll soon find out that every aspect you thought you knew has much more to the story than you thought, and you'll walk away from this read able to do just about everything you want.

Where's the 6 stars option? I haven't enjoyed a software engineering book to the same extent for a long time. 'PowerShell in Action' works on two levels. Firstly it delivers immediately in getting you up to speed on PowerShell and being able to use it in-anger for simple tasks (and from there on it just gets better and better as it tackles more complex scenarios).

Secondly however it's not just a 'What' and 'How' tutorial, but also guide to 'Why'. Since Bruce was the design lead for the actual PowerShell language only he can tell you why they choose to implement features the way they did. On this level the book reads like one engineer talking to another. It gives you a fantastic insight into the thought processes behind the choices (what alternatives where considered, and discarded, and why).

The text is full of Bruce's entertaining and sly asides which make it clear that here's a guy that's quite possibly used every language on the planet. As a reader you get the clear impression that nothing in PowerShell is there out of whimsy. And when you start working through the book you'll get a real impression of how every feature of it hangs together and supports the whole. Get this book.

If you are looking for a good source of information to use the new Windows Powershell, this is the book for you! What is the old saying if you want the truth go to the source? Well Bruce is the source being one of the team leads has obviously given him some insight into the internal workings and he shares this with the reader.

Whether you are a scripting novice who needs help from start to finish, or you are an advanced scripter who just wants to dive right in, this book has something for everyone. It goes from start to finish covering everything from the basics of not only what Windows Powershell is but also scripting and even dabbles into object oriented programming. This book is truly the place to go for all your Windows Powershell needs, great job Bruce!

This book is written by a self-admitted geek expressly for geeks. Being a geek myself I rate it highly for content. However, Administrators should bypass it. There are few administrators or programmers that need to know "Why" something was done. There is too much information in this world to absorb and reading this book contributes to that. Plus, practical things like profiles and snapins are not even mentioned (I didn't find them while reading it, but if they are there it emphasizes the following point).

I disagree that it can be used a a reference, except by an occaisonal geek. It would take too long to find anything related to your daily problem even though it is probably there. Few publishers know how to organize and display technical data so that after it is read it can be found again. There are silly things like showing the wrong way to do things. Who needs that in a reference book since you may copy it without checking if it works? A true reference book defines every (well at least the most useful) command/parameter nuances and tells you what you can't find in the normal documentation. Another book I own, Professional Windows PowerShell comes far closer to being a reference, and is a better book for a general programmer.

This book gives you the goods and helps you become very productive very fast. As a service ... I'm pointing out that PowerShell is installed in a somewhat crippled state which allows for interactive scripting only. You know, security, security, security.

Most of us, of course want to put the script into a file and execute it and this won't work until you set an 'execution policy'. This information can be found starting on page 205 and further directions on page 451.

Just thought you'd like to know.

Besides that a very good book that stands on it's own. If you've been around the programming track a couple of times you won't need the 'for the absolute beginner' book ... this one will do the trick!

I wish all technical books were written this well.

The last time I did any programming was using QuickBasic 4.5. (That was about 1996 for those of you who don't remember.) Every time I tried to use object oriented languages I wound up frustrated and quit trying. I bought Powershell In action on Friday, and here it is Monday, and I already have written a very nice script to monitor remote servers. Bruce Payette does a great job of explaining how to use Powershell in simple terms, with just enough humor to keep it light. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is new to scripting.

The remarkable thing here is that they got the actual inventor of the powershell language and convinced him to write a book.

It's so packed full of good stuff that I wish Microsoft would ship the book, free, with every download of Powershell.

The title 'Powershell In Action' doesn't really give you a clue about just how good this book is. The title is just so that it fits in with Manning's (very good) range of 'In Action' books. But the focus here isn't on action -- it's on really **REALLY** getting to know the language used in Powershell.

Page after page, be astounded at the versatility of this language! Gasp in awe at the wise decisions that were made which allow the language to seemingly read your mind!

There is depth here that you cannot possibly find anywhere else. No one else would know the things Bruce Payette knows.

Thsi book is a great source of information. It has many down to earth and everyday explanations for some complex concepts. It's not just full of hard to follow technobabble. This is a real asset for anyone who needs to deal with PowerShell

This is _the_ PowerShell book.

A well written technical reference with an in-depth journey into PowerShell's design.
This book reads more like good fiction than tech, which may be caused, in part, by the disbelief of the things possible with PowerShell.
Payette's style is honest, insightful, passionate and funny.

favorite quote: "Dude! Where's my code?" (chapter 1.4)

This guy maybe be a Guru at PowerShell but this book is not beginner friendly at all. If you have been scripting for years then this may well be the "definitive guide". However, if you are a Windows System Administrator who tends to script from time to time to solve basic problems then this is book is absolutely not for you. I got better examples and information from the guide that came with powershell and webcasts on powershell that are on the microsoft technet site, than I got from this book. Once again its probably great for a developer or an person with scripting experience but its of little value for a beginner Sorry Bruce :( I had high hopes for the book based on all the other stellar reviews.