Useful resources for writers of admin scripts
Allen V. Rouse MCSE, MCDBA, CCNA
Published: 22 Jul 2003 14:21 BST
Web sites for admin scripters
As you might expect, Microsoft MSDN maintains a Web site for scripting. A good place to start is the Windows Script page, which can lead you into the details of both JScript and VBS. Although most of this information applies to scripting for the Web rather than network administration, you'll still find some useful information there -- such as the detailed documentation on how to use the FileSystemObject object in VBS.
In addition to Microsoft, there are several other good sites that can help you learn Windows scripting. Make sure you take a look at these four:
- Windows Scripting Solutions (hosted by Windows and .NET Magazine) -- First, I should point out that to access the full content of this site, you must subscribe to its periodical, Windows Scripting Solutions, for $129 in the US or $135 outside the US. With that caveat, this site does offer excellent content in the form of useful articles concerning all aspects of scripting. In addition, you can download code to use in your own scripts.
- LabMice.net -- This site is not strictly devoted to scripting but covers all the aspects involved in supporting and working with a Microsoft network. It's free but requests a donation if you find the site useful. The site serves as a knowledge base that indexes Microsoft, third-party articles, and white papers, and it provides links to other sites that host information you might find helpful.
- Windows & .NET Magazine Scripting 101 Series -- This four-part series was written several years ago, but it remains an excellent guide for learning the ins and outs of the Windows Script Host and VBS, along with some good code examples.
- WinGuides Scripting Guide for Windows -- This site allows you to access it for free or pay for premium access. It offers reference information for scripting concepts and techniques, including some excellent code samples.
Sticking to the script
Plenty of good information is out there to help you learn and improve scripting skills for network administration, but you need to know how to sort it out from all the information that's geared toward Web scripting. Once you do, the key will be to just roll up your sleeves and get to work on it. Dig in and write scripts and test them in a lab environment -- and don't be afraid to make mistakes.
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