Advanced PowerShell: Scripting and Tool Building

Advanced PowerShell: Scripting and Tool Building Courseware (PWS201)

PowerShell

This Advanced PowerShell course is designed for IT professionals, system administrators, and developers who already have experience with PowerShell and want to build production-ready tools. It is especially well suited for individuals or small teams responsible for automation, systems management, or internal tooling who need to improve script quality, reliability, and maintainability.

Participants learn to design and build reusable functions and modules using CmdletBinding, parameter validation, and object-based output. The course emphasizes structured error handling, debugging, logging, documentation, and publishing to the PowerShell Gallery. Students also work with common data formats and external systems, culminating in a hands-on capstone project in which they develop a fully documented, robust PowerShell system administration toolkit. By the end of the course, attendees can create scalable, testable, and shareable PowerShell solutions suitable for enterprise environments.

Publisher: Webucator

Benefits

  • Enhance proficiency in PowerShell tool development.
  • Learn best practices for writing maintainable code.
  • Gain skills in creating reusable functions and modules.
  • Master parameterizing functions with CmdletBinding.
  • Understand generating object-based output for better utility.
  • Develop error handling strategies for robust scripting.
  • Improve debugging techniques using advanced tools.
  • Learn to document scripts for better user accessibility.
  • Acquire knowledge in publishing to the PowerShell Gallery.
  • Refine tools for enhanced functionality and performance.
  • Expand skills in working with diverse data formats.
  • Explore advanced scripting concepts and applications.
  • Increase efficiency in managing output streams and messaging.

Teaching This Course

The publisher has provided details here on how to teach this Advanced PowerShell: Scripting and Tool Building course.

PowerPoint Presentation

This course includes a PowerPoint presentation that maps to the manual and to the labs:

Full Lab Environment Add-On

Enhance and simplify your classes by providing an unparalleled learning platform that requires no setup. Your trainers and students can dive straight into a fully-prepared lab environment with just a click. This seamless integration means no time wasted on installations or configurations, allowing trainers and students to focus solely on the task at hand. The lab comes pre-loaded with all the necessary tools and resources, ensuring a smooth, hassle-free learning experience.

Skillable Lab

Outline

  1. Introduction to PowerShell Development
    1. Understanding PowerShell’s Evolution and Modern Capabilities
    2. Core Principles of PowerShell Development
    3. Best Practices for Writing Reusable and Maintainable Code
  2. Tools for Advanced PowerShell Development
    1. Why Begin in the Interactive Shell?
    2. Exploring and Discovering Commands
    3. VS Code and the PowerShell Extension
    4. Exploring and Understanding Commands (Exercise)
  3. Building PowerShell Functions and Modules
    1. Creating Reusable Functions
    2. Turning a Script into a Module
    3. Validating Inputs and Managing Dependencies
    4. PowerShell Function and Module Practice (Exercise)
  4. Parameterizing Functions with CmdletBinding
    1. Using CmdletBinding and Common Parameters
    2. Mandatory Parameters and Default Values
    3. Using CmdletBinding and Common Parameters Practice (Exercise)
    4. Working with the Pipeline
    5. Parameter Validation & Aliases
    6. Cmdlet Parameter Sets
    7. Using Pipeline Input, Validation & Parameter Sets Practice (Exercise)
  5. Generating Object-Based Output
    1. Understanding PowerShell’s Object Pipeline
    2. Designing Functions that Return Structured Objects
    3. Testing Output for Proper Formatting and Usability
    4. PowerShell Object-Based Output Practice (Exercise)
  6. Managing Output Streams and Messaging
    1. Understanding the Six PowerShell Output Streams
    2. Using Verbose, Warning, and Informational Messages
    3. Structuring Output for Logging and Debugging
    4. Explore PowerShell Output Streams (Exercise)
  7. Handling Errors and Exceptions
    1. Understanding Try-Catch-Finally in PowerShell
    2. Writing Robust Error Handling
    3. Logging and Debugging Error Outputs
    4. Error Handling Practice (Exercise)
  8. Debugging PowerShell Scripts
    1. Using Debugging Tools in VS Code
    2. Leveraging Breakpoints for Troubleshooting
    3. Testing Edge Cases and Unexpected Inputs
    4. Debugging PowerShell Scripts Practice (Exercise)
  9. Implementing Help and Documentation
    1. Writing Comprehensive Inline Documentation
    2. Understanding the Need for External Help
    3. Generating External Help Using PlatyPS
    4. Ensuring Updatable and Online Help Access
    5. Implementing Help Practice (Exercise)
  10. Publishing to the PowerShell Gallery
    1. Using ScriptAnalyzer
    2. Creating Manifests
    3. Publishing to the Gallery
    4. Practice Publishing a Module to the PowerShell Gallery (Exercise)
  11. Refining your PowerShell Tools
    1. Extended Type System
    2. Creating a Menu System
    3. Proxy Functions
    4. Building a Simple PowerShell Menu System (Exercise)
  12. Working with Data
    1. Interacting with SQL Server
    2. Importing and Exporting JSON Data
    3. Working with XML and CliXML in PowerShell
    4. Converting Between Different Data Formats
    5. Data Conversion Practice (Exercise)
  13. Project - PowerShell System Administration Toolkit
    1. Project Overview
    2. Step 1: Script to Display User Information
    3. Step 2: Convert to a Module
    4. Step 3: Add CmdletBinding and Utilize Common Parameters
    5. Step 4: Add Pipeline Support and Validation
    6. Step 5: Manage Output Streams
    7. Step 6: Add Try-Catch-Finally and Logging
    8. Step 7: Debug with VS Code
    9. Step 8: Help Documentation via PlatyPS
    10. Step 9: Add CLI Menu to Run Module

Required Prerequisites

  • Basic knowledge of scripting and programming concepts
  • Familiarity with command-line interfaces
  • Experience working with PowerShell
  • Understanding of core PowerShell commands and syntax
  • Ability to use Visual Studio Code or similar text editors
  • Knowledge of Windows OS and its features
License

Length: 5 days | $175.00 per copy
Labs: Add-on available | $42.05 per lab
View Lab Details

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What is Included?
  • Student Manual
  • Student Class Files
  • PowerPoint Presentation
  • Labs (optional add-on)