PowerShell is for infrastructure types...right.

 Apr 22, 2014

In today's post, I would like to have a little discussion about PowerShell. Now I can already hear a number of you saying "What are you doing talking about PowerShell? You're a Development and Database guy, not an infrastructure type!". Well, you're right, I am, and my focus is on development and databases, but that doesn't mean that I can afford to not know something about PowerShell. (Besides, what do infrastructure types know about cutting code...pft!) There are some that argue (sorry for the straw man argument) that Microsoft is deliberately creating a two-tier structure for administration. There will be low-level admins that will use a GUI to do their work and high-level experts that will use PowerShell. There are splits amongst Microsoft products in this way; some functionality in AD is a good example. Some of it you can do with a GUI, but there are other bits that you simply can't. Why is this important? Simple! Ask yourself whether you want to be in the low-level, second-tier, lower paid, easily replaced group of knowledge workers, or the group that really makes things go. Would you like to ensure your employability into the future, or are you really just waiting for that lottery win? You may not like PowerShell, and honestly I know quite a few people who don't (usually infrastructure types who don’t believe that anything good can come from knowing how to cut some code), but you're going to have to overcome your bias here. If your job is related to managing Windows Servers, SQL Server, Operations Manager, SharePoint, Exchange, etc., and if you want to be better at your job, do more powerful things, be more employable, and less replaceable, you need to learn PowerShell. The fabulous thing is: it’s not rocket science. If you’re a DBA you know, very well, that you don’t have time to do all those tedious and menial tasks. More to the point, who can remember? You really want a great way to automate and simplify the things you do on a daily, weekly, monthly basis. Even those things you do on a one-off basis from time to time. You would really love to be able to just run a script and it’s done. Like a BOSS! Learning PowerShell will make you WAY more efficient and give you many more opportunities to impress your boss with your sick skills. If you still don't believe you need to learn PowerShell... you're dead wrong! Get started now; open up a browser and type in the search term 'PowerShell,' you'll be surprised at what comes up (4,450,000 for me this morning)! Good luck!

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About the Author:

Adam Keats  

With over 25 years of real-world IT experience Adam is one of New Horizons' most senior Database and Software Development trainers. Starting out as a physics teacher Adam displayed exceptional mathematical and technical capabilities early on in his career. He went on to work in a variety of programming and technical management roles within several government agencies including the Department of Defence and Maritime Patrol. In 1998 Adam found his true calling, gaining MCT status and thus beginning his technical training career specialising in SQL Server administration, development, BI, and .NET development. Since then he has worked for several training organisations and found a home at New Horizons where he is now our resident Database and Development specialist. Throughout his tenure at New Horizons, Adam has assisted over 500 students in their endeavours to improve their skills, knowledge, and to achieve industry certifications.

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