Learning Scripting

I just got offered a new job as a Network technician/Sys Admin. One of the things the main boss really wants to focus on he said was scripting. I am assuming he meant batch and VB. I have done a little shell scripting in Linux but I guess my question is whats the best way to get into some scritpting for windows server 2003? Classes or just self learning, any good books? He said he was interested in a lot of things he thinks the only way to unlock their full power is through scripts. The only reason I am really interested is to automate and to make my job easier. Call me lazy but i love to work smart, not hard. Plus anytime i can get to a command line and do something, I am down for it.
Thanks a lot

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Comments

TechJunky

I would start messing around with some access databases or any cheap database that you can get your hands on at home. That's where I learned most of the scripting from.

SQL Express 2005 is free. I did a lot of application installation/maintanance/upgrades etc and that really got my scripting knowledge well versed. You would be suprised how quickly you learn to script when a function of the software no longer works after an upgrade and the CEO is yelling at you.

Look into basic batch script writing as well. These are very helpful.

dynamik

Search Amazon for Windows Scripting or VBScript. There's a lot of really good books.

Unless you need to stick with VBScript, you might want to just go with Powershell. You can download it for XP and Server 2003 if you're not using Vista/2008.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/technologies/management/powershell/default.mspx

HeroPsycho

dynamik wrote:

Search Amazon for Windows Scripting or VBScript. There's a lot of really good books.

Unless you need to stick with VBScript, you might want to just go with Powershell. You can download it for XP and Server 2003 if you're not using Vista/2008.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/technologies/management/powershell/default.mspx

JDMurray

There's more than enough free information on the Web to get you started in any kind of scripting. Make sure that your shop standardizes on the scripting languages it will use, otherwise you'll end up needing to learn everybody's favorite script. This includes UNIX/Linux shell scripting languages and the use of batch files or PowerShell in Windows. I'd stay away from the specialty scripting languages (RubyScript, PythonScript, PerScript, etc.) unless you really need them for something specific.

Talic

PowerShell seems like its very similar to Linux/Unix's shell.

It's funny how MS goes back to something that has always been in *nix the whole time, so much for the GUI only strategy.