Learn PowerShell Toolmaking in a Month of Lunches

This is an excellent book for learning how to build PowerShell tools (and so is Learn PowerShell in a Month of Lunches). Like any book, it's impossible to cover a goldmine of experience from veteran PowerShell MVPs in one 'small' book, but the approach of the authors makes it easy to understand, and enjoyable to follow, especially that each chapter can be completed during lunch hour. Having some PowerShell experience, this book cleared up many questions and filled in a number of gaps. I strongly suggest getting this book as it will make your projects go much smoother with the correct understanding of how PowerShell really works. Then you can contribute to the PowerShell community (powershell.org). If you're an admin, there's no question whether or not you need this book. Eventually, the only way to continue managing Microsoft environments will be by becoming proficient in PowerShell. Also consider first starting with "PowerShell in a Month of Lunches", and any free eBooks from powershell.org, then jump into this book. These will definitely sharpen the saw.

Ever since first hearing about Powershell, I have been very intrigued by it, and set on a course to learn as much as I could about this great Windows (and beyond) management technology. For those that are uninitiated in the Month of Lunches series of books, you're in for a treat. This series does an amazing job at teaching you the technologies and methodologies you need to be successful. The Learn Powershell Toolmaking in a Month of Lunches is somewhat a continuation of the original Learn Powershell in a Month of Lunches. If you haven't read that yet, go do that first! I believe the second edition is the current one.Toolmaking focuses on your existing Powershell skills, and clarifies techniques for making custom functions (that behave like cmdlets), error handling, debugging, script manifests, database connectivity, WinForms with Powershell, and more. I have to say this book is a must for anyone serious and Powershell and needs a great book to teach you.

This is an easy to understand book on PS as others in the series. What I like best about the book is it is broken down into sections that build on each other chapter by chapter designed to be done in 1 hour chunks. There's a video series that goes over the same material from CBT nuggets I think which would be a good companion to the book if you like video instruction.

I powered through this book in about two weeks of heavy reading, implementing it into my own workflow and needs as I went. Even after the first couple of chapters Powershell had become instantly useful. Now that I've finished it, I feel like a guru. I've been able to do some very useful things in the workplace now.The book was easy to follow with great excercises and examples. If you want to learn PowerShell, this is the book to get.

I purchased this along with Learn PowerShell 3 in a Month of Lunches and this book gives a small introduction and picks up where the other book left off. This has been very useful for me as I've been attempting to write scripts that others in the office can utilize without modification for a while. This does an excellent job of expanding upon the knowledge that I gained from the other book and the author does an excellent job of explaining things to those such as myself who have no background in vb.

one of the best intros and follow ups I have read in a long time. This book set me forward and my powershell knowledge. The lessons include some common powershell tools that every administrator needs to learn. I recommend this book after the first two of the series.

Working in IT and was used to and more comfortable to working with CMD. However with the times changing at all and PowerShell taking over the world I needed to get caught up to speed and this book makes it incredibly easy to learn PowerShell and what its capable of. It will have a forever home on my desk at work.

Its simple, if you do powershell, no matter your experience, you need this book to establish or reinforce a foundation. Don Jones is just amazing, if you are in the Windows IT world, he is a must follow!

Need to other books in the series prior to diving into the coding line not as accessible as the other in the series.

Very useful book of course Power shell is still an emerging methodology so I am sure things will evolve

Bought this book solely because of the predecessor - and not a disappointment. IMHO, some aspects could have been covered (like further delving into the link to operation of DIY style GUI components) however, a valuable purchase.

Good Book.

Excellent book for those trying to advance their powershell knowledge.