POWER400: Advanced PowerShell – Studio
This course is a continuation of MOC 10961 or AZ-040, Automating Administration with Windows PowerShell. We will be taking a deep dive into the development of PowerShell cmdlets and modules. Time will be spent on the theory of how to design your cmdlets as well as the proper structure of the programming code to facility cmdlets that work with the PowerShell piping in keeping with community standards. We will also be exploring how to place a graphical user interface on top of our PowerShell code so we can build tools that are available to everybody. This course will feature both hands on labs and challenged exercises to help you practice and the skills presented in class and develop you coding skills as we work with both Windows PowerShell and PowerShell 7 utilizing VSCode as our development environment.
** NOTE ** There are references to challenges, labs, a lab computer and lab files in this video. Disregard the references. There are “Lab Answer Keys” in the appropriate spots in the video and can be watched.
Module 1 – Getting to Know Objects
This module builds the foundation of how PowerShell represents information. We will be creating our own object as the output of or code, keeping in line with PowerShell best practices.
Lessons:
- Properties
- Methods
- Events
Labs:
- Lab 1 – Discovering Objects
Module 2 – PowerShell Functions
We will discover how functions can be use to modularize your code to hep making testing and development easier, but also advancing your functions to become PowerShell cmdlets that can accept information inside of the PowerShell Pipeline.
Lessons:
- Building a basic function
- Passing data
- How to use functions
- Advanced parameterization
Labs:
- Lab 2A – Using private functions
- Lab 2B – Working with Parameters
- Lab 2C – Working with switch parameters
- Lab 2D – PowerShell Pipeline ByValue
- Lab 2E – PowerShell Pipeline ByPropertyName
- Lab 2F – Write code to Accept Input ByProperyName
Module 3 – Creating Output
Now that we have the ability to create PowerShell cmdlets, we need to be able to create output that is accepted by other cmdlets. We will be creating customize objects.
Lessons:
- Why create custom objects?
- Ways to create objects
- Naming your objects
- Accepting your objects in the pipeline
Labs:
- Lab 3A – Creating custom objects
- Lab 3B – Accepting your objects in the pipeline
Module 4 – Advanced PowerShell Modules
This lesson is about polishing your PowerShell models to a professional level. We will take control of the output system to control what is displayed as well as ensure you code follows community standards.
Lesson:
- How to create a module
- Module manifest
- Formatting file
- Reviewing your code
Labs:
- Lab 4A – Complete the formatting file
Module 5 – Advanced debugging and error handling
Code never works the first time. We will focus on techniques to help you discover why your code is not working correctly and how to handle errors properly when they occur.
Lessons:
- VSCode debugging
- Try / Catch / Finally
- How PowerShell handles errors
- Handling specific errors
Labs:
- Module 5 Lab A – Custom Error Handling
Module 6 – Final coding project
In this exercise, you will create cmdlets that work together to parse data from a threat intelligence provider to recover data that you need to investigate a security incident. You will use the cumulative knowledge they you learned in the proceeding lessons to complete this assignment.
Module 7 – Graphical Interfaces
PowerShell has great potential not only for the technical users, but for the non-technical users as well. This module is about how to put a graphical interface on top of your PowerShell code to make it usable by all. We will cover the more popular graphical control elements and sharpen our skills through a series of challenges.
Lessons:
- Installing the support software
- Events
- Forms
- Label
- Textboxes
- Buttons
- Radio buttons
- Check boxes
- Data grid views
- Scopes of memory
- Form projects
- Deploying GUIs.
