Software (Module 5)

Scripting languages for Windows environments:

• PowerShell (.ps1)

  • Built on the .NET platform

  • Used for building, testing, and deploying solutions, and automating system management

• Batch scripts (.bat)

  • Executes simple tasks like running a set of programs when a computer boots up

• Visual Basic Script (.vbs)

  • older scripting language that has been replaced by Powershell

Scripting languages that can be used for scripting:

• JavaScript (.js): the most used programming language in the world. Used for scripting in web development, mobile and web apps, games, software development, automating web server functions, and more

• Python (.py): User-friendly programming language that can perform advanced tasks and import modules form libraries specifically designed for automation scripts

Scripting uses

• Basic automation: Python is an excellent, commonly used script for automation

• Restarting machines: PowerShell scripts (.ps1) can restart machines (Windows) or Linux using shell (.sh) scripts

• Mapping network drives: Powershell scripts map Windows environment drives and shell scripts for Linux.

• Installing applications: Batch files and shell scripts for automated software installation

• Automated backups: Windows PowerShell and Linux/Unix shell scripts

• Gathering of information and data: python

• Initiating updates: Powershell and shell scripts for Windows and Linux

Security risks of using scripts

• Unintentionally introducing malware from a script found online

• Inadvertently changing system settings using a wrong script (ex: shell script with a typo)

• Browser or system crashes due to mishandling of resources (ex: too much memory to the browser can overload the computer system)

Installing, Updating, and Removing Software on Windows

• Git is a version control system that helps keep track of changes made to files and directories like how some word processors today have a revision history feature.

• Install the program directly from a page, ensuring applications are compatible with the CPU architecture (64-bit)

• Confirm installation of applications

• Add or Remove programs → ensures application and newest versions are installed

• To remove- select application and “uninstall”

Installing, Updating, and Removing on Linux

• Use command line to install application

• Must tell computer to we are authorized

• enter y to confirm installation

• to remove, use command: sudo apt remove git and enter y to confirm