description	ms.date	ms.topic	title
This article is an introduction to the PowerShell scripting environment and its features.	10/30/2024	overview	What is PowerShell?

What is PowerShell?

PowerShell is a cross-platform task automation solution made up of a command-line shell, a scripting language, and a configuration management framework. PowerShell runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Command-line Shell

PowerShell is a modern command shell that includes the best features of other popular shells. Unlike most shells that only accept and return text, PowerShell accepts and returns .NET objects. The shell includes the following features:

Robust command-line history
Tab completion and command prediction (See about_PSReadLine)
Supports command and parameter aliases
Pipeline for chaining commands
In-console help system, similar to Unix man pages

Scripting language

As a scripting language, PowerShell is commonly used for automating the management of systems. It's also used to build, test, and deploy solutions, often in CI/CD environments. PowerShell is built on the .NET Common Language Runtime (CLR). All inputs and outputs are .NET objects. No need to parse text output to extract information from output. The PowerShell scripting language includes the following features:

Extensible through functions, classes, scripts, and modules
Extensible formatting system for easy output
Extensible type system for creating dynamic types
Built-in support for common data formats like CSV, JSON, and XML

Automation platform

The extensible nature of PowerShell provides an ecosystem of PowerShell modules to deploy and manage almost any technology you work with. For example:

Microsoft modules

Azure
Windows
Exchange
SQL

Third-party modules

AWS
VMware
Google Cloud

Configuration management

PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC) is a management framework in PowerShell that enables you to manage your enterprise infrastructure with configuration as code. With DSC, you can:

Create declarative configurations and custom scripts for repeatable deployments
Enforce configuration settings and report on configuration drift
Deploy configuration using push or pull models

Monad Manifesto

Jeffrey Snover, the inventor of PowerShell, wrote the Monad Manifesto to explain his vision for PowerShell and how it would change the way we manage systems. Use the following link to download a copy of the Monad Manifesto.

This PDF file is a version of the original Monad Manifesto, which articulated the long-term vision and started the development effort that became PowerShell. PowerShell has delivered on many of the elements described in this document.

Next steps

Getting started

Are you new to PowerShell and don't know where to start? Take a look at these resources.

Install PowerShell
Discover PowerShell
PowerShell 101
Microsoft Virtual Academy videos
PowerShell Learn modules

PowerShell in action

Take a look at how PowerShell is being used in different scenarios and on different platforms.

PowerShell remoting over SSH
Getting started with Azure PowerShell
Building a CI/CD pipeline with DSC
Managing Microsoft Exchange

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