Monad (AKA PowerShell): Introducing the MSH Command Shell and Language (Paperback)

by Andy Oakley (Author)
Key Phrases: class library, site container, structured objects, Property System, Learn More, Where Can (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Windows PowerShell, formerly know by its codename "Monad" and available now for Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, and Windows Vista, and soon for Exchange Server 2007 and MOM, is the future of Windows administration. From setting up automated build environments to managing 20,000 Exchange email clients in an organization, any tool that reduces the number of repetitive steps an administrator must perform, is a real win. Even better, PowerShell part of a major Microsoft initiative that aims to replace a host of Windows management tools with a single, unified shell. This is the promise of PowerShell and the reason IT professionals need to start learning how to use it today

Reflecting the best of legacy tools such as bash and the Korn shell, PowerShell also breaks new ground in its command language design and its use of the object-oriented .NET Framework. And there is no better way to learn how to put PowerShell to work than to get your hands on Monad, O'Reilly's innovative, hands-on introduction to the tool. This concise 200-page book is an exciting tour of some of the new capabilities that PowerShell puts into the hands of system administrators and power users, and is the perfect complement to existing PowerShell documentation.

With more than 40 hands-on activities, the book covers every angle, from using PowerShell commands and its object-oriented pipelines to querying systems, generating reports and writing scripts that automate existing tasks. Adding to the lure is the fact that the book is written by Microsoft manager, Andy Oakley with a Foreword by PowerShell architect Jeffrey Snover-so you can be certain that it's teeming with inside information. Monad lets you see for yourself how PowerShell can significantly improve your productivity.

Because the PowerShell technology has wide appeal, so, too, does this compact guide. Developers, administrators, and power users alike can all benefit from its insight. If you're someone who habitually drifts toward the c-m-d keys, knows all of the switches to most command tools, or spends time authoring batch files to solve new challenges, this book is right up your alley. And if your organization plans to upgrade soon to Exchange 2007 or MOM V3, there's no time to waste.

Breaking News: A PowerShell RC1 Update to the book is now available at no charge from the book's catalog page on oreilly.com!

About the Author
Andy Oakley is a graduate of Jesus College, Cambridge, England with a degree in Computer Science. Currently, as a Lead Program Manager at Microsoft, he is building the new publishing system for MSDN which hosts the hundreds of thousands of pages of developer documentation published by Microsoft.

Product Details

• Paperback: 206 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc.; illustrated edition edition (December 12, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596100094
• ISBN-13: 978-0596100094
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #759,479 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, February 6, 2006

By	PC. - See all my reviews

Considering that MONAD is a new shell and not many books are available in the market this book is a great introduction to MONAD. The author introduces the functionality with examples and he gives us details on how to learn more about the new features.

The author assumes that you know the windows command line scripting and compares that with MONAD in some instances.

Over all the book is great. I recommand this to anyone who wants to jump stat MONAD scripting.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Down with the mouse, long live Monad, August 30, 2006

By	Matthew Thyer "Wonko the Sane" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The only problem I have with this book is the toad on the front cover. This is what other shell books should be, this is what other shells should be. Highly recommended for the Windows administrator.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good option to learn MSH!!!, January 31, 2006

By	Fco Airton Leal Jr. "Airton Leal (MVP)" (Sao Bernardo do Campo, SP Brazil) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Monad (http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/msh/) presents the next generation of command interpreter included in the next Microsoft Operating Systems. Andy Oakley, the Author, show new commands and resources, through clearly samples and detailed descriptions, increasing the level of complexity slowly and comfortable supporting users to learning about all topics without doubts. Complete and one excellent book to have.