Lecture 18: Scripting and Automation

Vocabulary flashcards covering key scripting and automation terms from Lecture 18.

Script

A sequence of instructions, written in a scripting language, that tells a program to perform tasks.

Scripting Language

A programming language with limited functionality and easy syntax, often interpreted and used for automation (e.g., VBScript, Python).

Client-Side Script

Script executed in a user’s browser or local environment.

Server-Side Script

Script executed on a server to generate responses for clients.

Windows Script Host (WSH)

Windows environment that lets users create and run scripts in plain text files.

WSH Core

The component that ties WSH together and integrates with the operating system or application.

Scripting Engine

Provides language support within WSH (e.g., VBScript, JScript, PerlScript).

Scripting Host

Executable that actually runs a script; in WSH these are wscript.exe and cscript.exe.

wscript.exe

GUI-based WSH host; outputs to dialog boxes and pauses until user clicks OK.

cscript.exe

Command-line WSH host; outputs to console and runs without user intervention.

Digital Signature (WSH)

Cryptographic stamp that verifies script origin and integrity before execution.

PowerShell

Microsoft’s object-based interactive shell and scripting language built on .NET.

Cmdlet

Smallest unit of functionality in PowerShell, written as verb-noun (e.g., Get-Help).

Parameter (PowerShell)

Named option passed to a cmdlet, preceded by a hyphen (e.g., -Name).

Object (PowerShell)

Digital representation containing properties and methods manipulated in PowerShell.

Property (PowerShell)

An attribute or part of a PowerShell object.

Method (PowerShell)

An action that can be performed on or by a PowerShell object.

Variable (PowerShell)

Storage location for data; always starts with $, can hold single objects or arrays.

Pipeline (|)

Passes the output (objects) of one cmdlet as input to another in PowerShell.

Comparison Operators

PowerShell operators such as -eq, -ne, -gt, -lt, -like for comparing values.

get-content

Cmdlet that reads a text file into an array, one line per element.

import-csv

Cmdlet that reads a .csv file into an array of objects with properties from the header row.

add-content

Cmdlet that appends data to an existing file.

set-content

Cmdlet that replaces the contents of a file.

export-csv

Cmdlet that writes objects to a .csv file, creating a header row.

While Loop (PowerShell)

Loop that repeats commands while a condition is true.

For Loop (PowerShell)

Loop that initializes, tests, and increments a variable to repeat commands.

For Each Loop (PowerShell)

Iterates through each item in a collection (e.g., foreach ($obj in $objs) {…}).

Flow Control (if/elseif/else)

Conditional statements that run code blocks based on logical tests.

Execution Policy

PowerShell security setting that controls whether scripts can run.

RemoteSigned

Execution policy allowing locally-created scripts and digitally signed remote scripts.

Unrestricted

Execution policy allowing all scripts to run; least secure.

PowerShell Remoting

Capability to run PowerShell commands on remote computers.

WinRM / WS-MAN

Web Services-Management protocol used by PowerShell for robust remoting.

Enable-PSRemoting

Cmdlet that configures a system for WS-MAN remoting (starts WinRM, sets firewall).

Enter-PSSession

Cmdlet that starts an interactive remote PowerShell session.

Windows Task Scheduler

Windows tool that runs executables or scripts at scheduled times or in response to events.

cron

Linux/Unix service that schedules recurring tasks (mentioned for comparison).