PowerShell is an object-based Microsoft scripting language that comes with its own console and GUI-based environments. PowerShell provides building blocks for automation and system integration. You can think of PowerShell as glue that can keep different Microsoft components and applications together (and make them play nicely with each other).
Knowing PowerShell can lead to power (pun intended). Treat PowerShell like a new member of your high performance team. To achieve high performance, you need to get to know PowerShell and learn its strengths before you can expect to maximize your results.
The list of topics that you will come across in this chapter is as follows:
A brief history of PowerShell
The PowerShell environment
Cmdlets
PowerShell providers
Snap-ins and modules
PowerShell Pipeline
Scripting basics
Running PowerShell scripts
Getting help