PowerShell Basics

Learn how PowerShell thinks, not just what to type

PowerShell is a shell and scripting language that runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Its big idea is simple but powerful: commands pass objects to each other, not lines of text. Once that clicks, querying, filtering, reshaping and exporting data becomes a short, readable pipeline instead of a puzzle of text parsing.

This course teaches the working fundamentals. It is aimed at people who are new to PowerShell, including those who already know a little Bash and want to know what is the same and what is different. It deliberately stays away from deep Windows administration (Active Directory, the registry, remoting and so on) so you can build a solid foundation first.

What you will learn

• Find and understand commands with Get-Command, Get-Help and Get-Member
• Use the pipeline to pass objects between commands, and see why that differs from Bash
• Work with variables, strings, numbers and PowerShell's comparison operators
• Store data in arrays, hashtables and custom objects
• Query data with Where-Object, Sort-Object, Group-Object, Measure-Object and Select-Object
• Make decisions and loop, then package your work as scripts and functions with parameters
• Work with files and folders, and import and export CSV and JSON
• Handle errors with try and catch, and build a small reporting script from start to finish

How the course works

• 8 modules of short lessons, each with examples you can type and run
• A short check at the end of every module, with explanations for every answer. Score 70% to unlock the next module, and retake it as often as you like
• Bash comparisons throughout, so you can map what you already know
• A printable PowerShell and Bash cheat sheet (PDF) to keep
• A certificate of completion when you finish

The course is free.