Microsoft has finally answered the prayers of system administrators and developers everywhere through the introduction of Windows PowerShell, a new scripting technology that enables the automation of system management tasks and the creation of system management tools. PowerShell runs on Windows XP, 2003, and Vista. Exchange Server 2007 and System Center Operations Manager 2007 will be built on Windows PowerShell. Unlike traditional Windows shell scripting, PowerShell scripting is object based and is designed to work with the .NET framework. Microsoft Windows PowerShell Programming for the Absolute Beginner teaches readers how to program using Microsoft's new PowerShell scripting language through the creation of computer games. No prior knowledge of programming in any language is required. Topics covered include the Windows PowerShell Command Line, object based scripting with .NET, writing PowerShell Scripts, working with variables, arrays and hashes, implementing conditional logic, using loops to process data, organizing scripts using functions, basic system administration, and much more.

Chapter 1 Introducing windows powershell
Chapter 2 Interacting with the windows powershell command line
Chapter 3 Object - based scripting with .net
Chapter 4 Working with variables, arrays, and hashes
Chapter 5 Implementing conditional logic
Chapter 6 Using loops to process data
Chapter 7 Organizing scripts using functions
Chapter 8 Working with files and folders
Chapter 9 Basic system administration
Chapter 10 Debugging powershell scripts