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How to write better PowerShell scripts

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Most PowerShell users have had the opportunity to create complex scripts. While we are plodding along, we tend not to think about aesthetics, commenting or writing code in a timely manner. We want to finish the script in every circumstance, so we can continue with our day or night.
Most PowerShell scripters are unaware that structuring complex scripts in simple, well-organized ways and adding good comments can save a lot of time.
Let’s now discuss how to use the help command, aliases and commenting. In general, making sure everything is properly structured will allow us to create more efficient PowerShell commands in less time.
Common Ways to Write Clean Code
When writing PowerShell scripts, there are a few things you should remember.
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Training begins with thinking about the script before you actually write it. What kind of script is it? What is the script’s ultimate goal? Is this the only person who will ever use this code? Can I break this script into smaller ones?
When writing scripts, we tend not to think about the deployment method that the script will use. We need to ask ourselves if this script will be used daily, how important is the script runtime, and if this script will be given to other system administrators.
These three questions will determine how we write our script. It is crucial to know the script runtime if the script will be deployed on hundreds or thousands of systems using an automated deployment system. It will determine how long the deployment will take.
This is closely related to the question of whether the script will be run daily. If so, the script’s complexity and size are very important. This makes it much easier to troubleshoot any issue.
Am I the only one who will take care of this script? This is a crucial question, especially in Enterprise environments. Let’s say that we have multiple teams that manage automation infrastructure. All team members must share scripts and help each other.
This is the time to really think about commenting on actual code to make it more understandable by any 3rd parties who might be called upon to troubleshoot the script or improve it.
If we have a complex script that could end up with several hundred, or even thousands of lines of code, it might be worth splitting the script into multiple scripts. This will make it much easier to troubleshoot the script. We won’t look at the whole script as a whole. Instead, we will treat each function or block of script as a module or an independent script that is part of a larger solution.
It’s easier to write smaller scripts with comments and using analiases to shorten or eliminate the actual command. This will allow us to have more control over script deployment. It will be much easier to deploy a portion of a large script if it is split into multiple scripts than deploying the entire script repeatedly.
Help, Aliases, Comments
The help command is one the most powerful PowerShell commands because it provides information about any command we are trying to execute — and even some code examples! Let’s look at some examples of how the help command can be used.
You can access the help command by either using the Get-Help cmdlet, or simply typing help.
It also accepts wildcards. Even if you don’t know the exact command, you can type a portion of it and use the wildcard for help.
We will be able to access a complete list of help files if we use “Get Help about*”.

Ferdinand
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What is a WBS? Bill asked a great question about a WBS and how it can be used to plan project scope. Josh, please clarify. I am only at chapter 7, so if you have any questions, please forgive me. So far, it seems like the WBS is different than the schedule. Is this a point you’re making? Or am I misunderstanding it? I thought the WBS was the basis of the schedule. RegardsBill Bill, you are correct. The WBS is separate from the schedule. You should be able to focus only on the deliverables when creating the WBS. This is true regardless of the time. (I hesitate to recommend phase-based deliverables in general but I recognize that some programs may use this structure) I also recommend that you do not use staff roles to organize your work breakdown structure. Next, you break down the deliverables into tasks. The tasks will be what you use to create your schedule. Your schedule will most likely be influenced at least partially by the WBS structure. But not always. My version of a WBS is called a Product Breakdown Structure (PBS) in the PRINCE2 world. When I speak of task decomposition in a Base of Estimate (BOE), they use the same terminology for what they call a WBS. Although we do the same thing, the terminology can be confusing if you try to translate across the pond. I recommend that you never open a scheduling tool without first completing the necessary steps.
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What is a Project Coordinator? Scott was thinking about the role of Project Coordinator recently. He replied to one my Project Management Career Coaching questions with this: Josh, I am currently attending school for Project Management and have really enjoyed your daily emails. I am currently a Manufacturing Supervisor in a small company. After graduation, my goal is to be a full-fledged Project Manager. I was interested in your recent post about changing industries and how you were successful in landing a job as Project Coordinator. I have been looking for a company for some time, but I don’t have any way to get to know the workers. It is a different industry than mine and I don’t have any connections to the company. I discovered that they have two positions available for Project Coordinators. I am trying decide if it’s worth taking the risk and making the move now rather than after I graduate. It is difficult to gain experience in managing small projects in the position I am currently in. It’s a small company, so I have to accept the fact that I can’t advance in my career unless I leave or wait for someone else to retire. I am asking you this question: Do you think that a job as a Project Coordinator is a good starting place for an aspiring Project Manager. Or would you prefer to stay at the same place for another year and gain more experience in employee management? I know you are busy, so I appreciate any advice you can offer me. Scott, thank you for your email! What is the role of a Project Coordinator? Project coordinator roles are not the same in all organizations. This is why I don’t believe it fits into all strategic career paths. It depends on the industry and the organization, but as a general rule, a role in project coordination is a good way to get into project management. It indicates that the organization is mature in managing projects. It will also give you an opportunity to experience the ‘world of managing projects’ in that organization. If my experience is any indication, you’ll be right there. Building Relationships – I discuss how to get connected to people in the industry or company. If you approach it with respect and tact, you can use LinkedIn to reach out to these people. LinkedIn is a great networking tool that can bring you face-to-face connections and allow you to make friends and develop relationships over time. It’s not a quick process, but it’s possible to expect great results. It will take some time. It won’t take forever, but it won’t stop. It’s ongoing. Some people find themselves in small companies and want to go into a larger company. Once you have the experience and knowledge from a larger company, it is sometimes best to stay there. However, if you want to return to a smaller company, you can bring your expertise and help grow it. If I was you, I would interview for the position of Project Coordinator, even if it wasn’t something I wanted to do. This will give you valuable experience in interviewing and allow you to ask great questions about the company’s project management. It can make a huge difference in your chances of getting hired.
Project Failure: We are at It Again Serendipity happens. I replied to a student Inside pmStudent eLearning with what turned to be an article about project success and failure. Shim wrote, “Projects failure rates?” a few days later. The conventional wisdom is wrong! His blog is amazing. I began leaving comments, and it quickly became one of those comments that should be its own post. Chaos I mean the reports that various organizations have on project failure rates. Shim outlined the following in his post:
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Project Failure: We are at It Again Serendipity happens. I replied to a student Inside pmStudent eLearning with what turned to be an article about project success and failure. Shim wrote, “Projects failure rates?” a few days later. The conventional wisdom is wrong! His blog is amazing. I began leaving comments, and it quickly became one of those comments that should be its own post. Chaos I mean the reports that various organizations have on project failure rates. Shim outlined the following in his post:
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