Yesterday a conversation on twitter about PowerShell learning resources lead me to realize that: The PowerShell tab on my own site could use some updating BUT: It’s grown to the point where it’s probably not all that useful for someone starting out.  To that end here are 8 key resources that I would recommend for learning PowerShell:

  • PowerScriptingListen to the PowerScripting Podcast
  • The Show Notes for the PowerScripting Podcast are freaking treasure trove of info so subscribe to that blog and go exploring what was mentioned in past shows.
  • GetScriptingSubscribe to Jonathan Medd’s PowerShell 2.0: One Cmdlet at a Time  blog series.
  • Jonathan Medd also co-hosts a podcast on PowerShell. Subscribe to both of these, load them on the mp3 player and listen to them on your way to work. You’ll learn without realizing it.
  • imageWindows PowerShell In Action (Second Edition):  An excellent book that even includes some of the “hows” and “whys” they made the tough decisions in this new language.  
  • Get yourself on the PowerShell Tip of the Day email (or RSS Feed)
  • imageWindows PowerShell™ 2.0 Best Practices: This book is really thick but it is written in a way that is very easy to read even for people that are sill learning.  Everyone should feel comfortable picking up this book.
  • ScriptingGuys Of course:  If you run into a problem just tweet the ScriptingGuys.  Also be sure to subscribe to their daily blog (including weekends & holidays) where they lay out how to solve all kinds of questions people ask of them.  And if you problem is longer than a tweet.  Scripter@Microsoft.com
  • geekSpeak and of course I can’t finish without saying:  If you need some help getting started from scratch using PowerShell with SQL Server check out my video on MSDN’s geekSpeak and blog series from SQL University.

 

I use quite a few more learning resources but this is where I started and where I would recommend for people to get started.  I hope this helps!