An automation solution combining a scripting language, a command-line shell, and a configuration management framework, PowerShell is cross-platform. Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X all support PowerShell.
The PowerShell command shell combines the best features of other popular command shells. PowerShell accepts and returns .NET objects in contrast to most shells that only accept and return text. Among its features are:
Scripting languages such as PowerShell are commonly used for automating system management. In CI/CD environments, it's also used for building, testing, and deploying solutions. PowerShell runs on the .NET Common Language Runtime (CLR). It uses .NET objects for input and output. There is no need to parse the output text to extract information. Among the features of PowerShell are:
Configuration as code (Configuration as Desired State Configuration (DSC)) in PowerShell is a way to manage your enterprise infrastructure. It allows you to:
Do you have no idea where to begin with PowerShell? Check out these resources.
Installing PowerShell
PowerShell 101
PowerShell Bits tutorials
PowerShell Learn modules
PowerShell in action