Part 1 Introduction to toolmaking

1 Before you begin: 1.1 What is toolmaking?; 1.2 Is this book for you?; 1.3 Prerequisites; 1.4 How to use this book
2 PowerShell scripting overview: 2.1 What is PowerShell scripting?; 2.2 PowerShell’s execution policy; 2.3 Running scripts; 2.4 Editing scripts; 2.5 Further exploration: script editors; 2.6 Lab
3 PowerShell’s scripting language: 3.1 One script, one pipeline; 3.2 Variables; 3.3 Quotation marks; 3.4 Object members and variables; 3.6 Parentheses; 3.7 Refresher: comparisons; 3.8 Logical constructs; 3.9 Looping constructs; 3.10 Break and Continue in constructs; 3.11 Lab
4 Simple scripts and functions: 4.1 Start with a command; 4.2 Turn the command into a script; 4.3 Parameterize the command; 4.4 Turn the script into a function; 4.5 Testing the function; 4.6 Lab
5 Scope: 5.1 What is scope?; 5.2 Seeing scope in action; 5.3 Working out of scope; 5.4 Getting strict with scope; 5.5 Best practices for scope; 5.6 Lab

Part 2 Building an inventory tool

6 Tool design guidelines: 6.1 Do one thing, and do it well; 6.2 Labs
7 Advanced functions, part 1: 7.1 Advanced function template; 7.2 Designing the function; 7.3 Declaring parameters; 7.4 Testing the parameters; 7.5 Writing the main code; 7.6 Outputting custom objects; 7.7 What not to do; 7.8 Coming up next; 7.9 Labs
8 Advanced functions, part 2: 8.1 Making parameters mandatory; 8.2 Verbose output; 8.3 Parameter aliases; 8.2 Accepting pipeline input; 8.3 Parameter validation; 8.4 Adding a switch parameter; 8.5 Parameter help; 8.6 Coming up next; 8.7 Labs
9 Writing help: 9.1 Comment-based help; 9.2 XML-based help; 9.3 Coming up next; 9.4 Labs
10 Error handling: 10.1 It’s all about the action; 10.2 Setting the error action; 10.3 Saving the error; 10.4 Error handling v1: Trap; 10.5 Error Handling v2+: Try…Catch…Finally; 10.6 Providing some visuals; 10.7 Coming up next; 10.8 Labs
11 Debugging techniques: 11.1 Two types of bugs; 11.2 Solving typos; 11.3 The real trick to debugging: expectations; 11.4 Dealing with logic errors: trace code; 11.5 Dealing with logic errors: breakpoints; 11.6 Seriously, have expectations; 11.7 Coming up next; 11.8 Lab
12 Creating custom format views: 12.1 The anatomy of a view; 12.2 Adding a type name to output objects; 12.3 Making a view; 12.4 Loading and debugging the view; 12.5 Using the view; 12.6 Coming up next; 12.7 Labs
13 Script and manifest modules: 13.1 Introducing modules; 13.2 Creating a script module; 13.3 Creating a module manifest; 13.4 Creating a module-level setting variable; 13.5 Coming up next; 13.6 Lab
14 Adding database access: 14.1 Simplifying database access; 14.2 Setting up your environment; 14.3 The database functions; 14.4 About the database functions; 14.5 Using the database functions; 14.6 Lab
15 Interlude: creating a new tool: 15.1 Designing the tool; 15.2 Writing and testing the function; 15.3 Dressing up the parameters; 15.4 Adding help; 15.5 Handling errors; 15.6 Making a module; 15.7 Coming up next

Part 3 Advanced toolmaking techniques

16 Making tools that make changes: 16.1 The –Confirm and –WhatIf parameters; 16.2 Passthrough ShouldProcess; 16.3 Defining the impact level; 16.4 Implementing ShouldProcess; 16.5 Lab
17 Creating a custom type extension: 17.1 The anatomy of an extension; 17.2 Creating a script property; 17.3 Creating a script method; 17.4 Loading the extension; 17.5 Testing the extension; 17.6 Adding the extension to a manifest; 17.7 Lab
18 Creating PowerShell workflows: 18.1 Workflow overview; 18.2 General workflow design strategy; 18.3 Example workflow scenario; 18.4 Writing the workflow; 18.5 Workflows vs. functions; 18.6 Lab
19 Troubleshooting pipeline input: 19.1 Refresher: how pipeline input works; 19.2 Introducing Trace-Command; 19.3 Interpreting trace-command output; 19.4 Lab
20 Using object hierarchies for complex output: 20.1 When a hierarchy might be necessary; 20.2 Hierarchies and CSV: not a good idea; 20.3 Creating nested objects; 20.4 Working with nested objects; 20.5 Lab
21 Globalizing a function: 21.1 Introduction to globalization; 21.2 PowerShell’s data language; 21.3 Storing translated strings; 21.4 Do you need to globalize?; 21.5 Lab
22 Crossing the line: utilizing the .NET Framework: 22.1 .NET classes and instances; 22.2 Static methods of a class; 22.3 Instantiating a class; 22.4 Using Reflection; 22.5 Finding class documentation; 22.6 PowerShell vs. Visual Studio; 22.7 Lab

Part 4 Creating tools for delegated administration

23 Creating a GUI tool, part 1: the GUI: 23.1 Introduction to WinForms; 23.2 Using a GUI to create the GUI; 23.3 Manually coding the GUI; 23.4 Showing the GUI; 23.5 Lab
24 Creating a GUI tool, part 2: the code: 24.1 Addressing GUI objects; 24.2 Example: text boxes; 24.3 Example: button clicks; 24.4 Example: list boxes; 24.5 Example: radio buttons; 24.6 Example: check boxes; 24.6 Lab
25 Creating a GUI tool, part 3: the output: 25.1 Using Out-GridView; 25.2 Creating a form for output; 25.3 Populating and showing the output; 25.4 Lab
26 Creating proxy functions: 26.1 What are proxy functions?; 26.2 Creating the proxy function template; 26.3 Removing a parameter; 26.4 Adding a parameter; 26.5 Loading the proxy function; 26.6 Lab
27 Setting up constrained remoting endpoints: 27.1 Refresher: Remoting architecture; 27.2 What are constrained endpoints?; 27.3 Creating the endpoint definition; 27.4 Registering the endpoint; 27.5 Connecting to the endpoint; 27.6 Lab
28 Never the end: 28.1 Welcome to toolmaking; 28.2 Cool ideas for tools; 28.3 What’s your next step?