PowerShell is a tool that allows IT professionals to interact with a command-line interface and automate tasks. It can also function as a scripting language. Read on to learn more about the range of functionality that PowerShell offers.
PowerShell is a Microsoft tool that provides programming features for automation, configuration management, and scripting. PowerShell is also an open-source command-line interface compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can use PowerShell in a number of different ways to help programmers save time on repetitive or time-consuming tasks.
Let’s take a closer look at the four main areas of functionality that PowerShell offers: open-source command-line interface, task automation, configuration management, and scripting.
Read more: Information Technology (IT) Terms: A to Z Glossary
A command-line interface allows computer users to interact with the computer directly through text, as opposed to the graphical user interface (GUI) most people use to navigate their computer programs. PowerShell offers a command-line interface that you can use on macOS, Windows, or Linux, increasing compatibility. One advantage of using PowerShell for a command-line interface is that PowerShell can return .NET objects instead of only text, which is what most command-line interfaces are capable of.
In addition to functioning as a scripting engine, PowerShell is also a fully functional scripting language used to automate tasks for DevOps, user management, continuous integration/continuous development, and many other system administrator tasks. The substantial library of tools available in PowerShell makes it easier to start with existing scripts. However, because it’s also a scripting language, you can use it to write your own functions as well.
PowerShell offers a management framework called Desired State Configuration (DSC), which makes it easier for system administrators and other IT professionals to keep the servers working properly. DSC lets users define how a workstation should operate and allow the framework to make it happen without specifying every detail.
Command-line interface
GUI
Configuration management
Take the next step and learn more about PowerShell, command-line interface, and other topics you need to know about to start a career as an IT specialist. You can earn your Google IT Support Professional Certificate in as little as six months. This beginner-friendly series of five courses can help you prepare for a career with skills in debugging, customer service, network protocols, cloud computing, and more.
professional certificate
Launch Your Career in Salesforce. Learn the foundational skills in Salesforce needed to start a new career.
4.6
(1,657 ratings)
67,864 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 3 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Sales, Sales Operations, Salesforce, CRM, Salesforce Lightning, Opportunity Management, Lead Management, Reports and Dashboards, Customer Success, Salesforce Sales Cloud
Editorial Team
Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...
This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work.
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.