PowerShell 101 for DBAs

SQL Server MVP and Infoworld Editor Sean McCown demonstrates how to utilize PowerShell from a Database Administrator perspective with the goal of providing you the foundational knowledge to construct your own PowerShell scripts, not just cut-and-paste existing scripts on the internet. He will show you how PowerShell is a time saver for the DBA, reducing large tasks to a few simple lines of code, and ultimately how to "think" in PowerShell.

Series Author: Sean McCown

Total Time: 2 Hour 23 Minutes              Total Videos: 12

  • Lesson 1

    • Video 1: Series Introduction
      (Running Time: 4:00)

      SQL Server MVP Sean McCown introduces this series and explains why the DBA needs to know PowerShell when administering their databases. He also explains his approach to this topic and the void he hopes to fill with this series.


    • Video 2: Time Saving Capabilities of PowerShell
      (Running Time: 19:39)

      This tutorial demonstrates how few lines of code are required to perform various tasks in PowerShell when compared to vbScript or other techniques.


    • Video 3: Installing and Configuring PowerShell
      (Running Time: 9:02)

      In this video Sean demonstrates how to download and install PowerShell, how to test the success of your install, and how to uninstall PowerShell if you ever need to (which is not exactly straight forward).


  • Lesson 2

    • Video 1: Introduction to Cmdlets
      (Running Time: 11:20)

      Sean introduces you to cmdlets, which are lightweight commands that are used to interact with .NET Objects in the Powershell Enviroment.


    • Video 2: Using PSDrive
      (Running Time: 19:23)

      In this video, Sean explains how to work with the PSDrive Cmdlet to map drives in your PowerShell environment.


    • Video 3: Working with Aliases
      (Running Time: 7:16)

      A PowerShell alias is another name assigned to a cmdlet, function or scripts with the PowerShell environment. Learn how to create and use aliases in this video.


    • Video 4: Introduction to Variables
      (Running Time: 8:51)

      In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to work with and use PowerShell variables within the command shell prompt.


    • Video 5: Controlling Output
      (Running Time: 15:38)

      Learn more about controlling output by understanding the PowerShell pipeline. The pipeline enables you to pipe the output of one cmdlet as input to another cmdlet.


  • Lesson 3

    • Video 1: Using the Help Feature
      (Running Time: 7:47)

      PowerShell offers an extensive help system. In this tutorial video Sean will demonstrate how to use help and what information is available.


    • Video 2: Using the Get-Member Command
      (Running Time: 13:16)

      This tutorial will show you how to the Get-Member command in Powershell. Get-Member is used to discover information about other PowerShell objects.


    • Video 3: Working with Cursors and the For-Each Loop
      (Running Time: 7:40)

      In this tutorial, Sean will explain how to work with the For-Each loop in Powershell and examine the use of cursors.


    • Video 4: Filtering and Sorting
      (Running Time: 20:08)

      This video tutorial explains Filtering and Sorting with PowerShell.