{"id":3636,"date":"2018-11-26T17:17:51","date_gmt":"2018-11-26T22:17:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jdhitsolutions.com\/blog\/?page_id=3636"},"modified":"2021-03-23T13:25:22","modified_gmt":"2021-03-23T17:25:22","slug":"essential-powershell-resources","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/jdhitsolutions.com\/blog\/essential-powershell-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"Essential PowerShell Learning Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When I speak at conferences or during a training class, I inevitably give attendees and students a list of resources that I feel can help them continue to learn and master Windows PowerShell. I'm assuming other beginners who haven't been to one of my conference sessions or training classes would find this useful information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Books<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I have a Books and Training<\/a> page so I won't spend too much time talking about my own books. Certainly for someone just getting started, pick up a copy of Learn Windows PowerShell in a Month of Lunches<\/a>. Once you've gone through that then go through Learn Windows PowerShell Scripting in a Month of Lunches<\/a>. Those are the 2 titles I would consider essential. At some point after completing the first Lunches book, you should get a copy of The PowerShell Practice Primer<\/a> and work through the 100 exercises.  Once you have those fundamentals I'd recommend the PowerShell Scripting and Toolmaking<\/a> book that Don Jones and I published at Leanpub.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After that, get a copy of The Windows PowerShell Cookbook<\/a> by Lee Holmes. This is a fantastic resource on all the things you can do with PowerShell. I think once you have a foundation in PowerShell you will get more out of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other reference book I would recommend as essential is PowerShell in Depth: An Administrator's Guide<\/a>. This book covers everything in PowerShell that an IT Pro would need to know in order to understand the language, syntax, and shell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you work your way through these books you will have learned a lot about PowerShell and will no longer be a beginner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are hundreds of online resources for PowerShell from sites to blogs to RSS feeds. Here are a few that I think you should be aware of if you are just getting started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PowerShell.org<\/a> is THE place for all your PowerShell needs. This site is operated by a non-profit organization devoted to promoting PowerShell. The organization runs The PowerShell +DevOps Global Summit<\/a>, events I encourage you to participate in. But most importantly are the site's forums. If you are stuck on a PowerShell problem, this is the place to go. The forum is closely monitored by PowerShell MVPs and community leaders. It is extremely rare that a question goes unanswered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You should keep up with the official Microsoft PowerShell<\/a> landing page. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For you social media types, there is a pipeline full of information on Twitter. Start by creating a filter for #PowerShell. I also hope you'll find it worthwhile to follow me<\/a>. There is also a PowerShell Facebook<\/a> page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I've created my own page with tips, tricks, and advice that I typically share with my students and conference attendees. I plan on updating it frequently so be sure to bookmark this<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blogs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is no shortage of blogs these days. While I typically rely on Twitter mentions to know what I should go read, these are some blogs that I think are worth your time subscribing to. These authors consistently put out quality content that I think you will find useful. At the very least, I encourage you to use the content aggregator at PlanetPowerShell<\/a> and definitely stay connected to the PowerShell Community Blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n