The principle of automation and scripting

Automation is a term referring to the automatic execution of a task or sequence of actions without human intervention. In fact, automation has been used in industry since the 1950s, with the aim of increasing plant productivity through more efficient manufacturing.

For several years now, automation has also played an important role in IT, particularly with a view to performing repetitive and/or recurring tasks, but also to being more efficient. More generally, automation has found its way into many sectors of activity, and this is unlikely to slow down with the emergence of artificial intelligence.

In the context of PowerShell, automation refers to the use of scripts and commands to perform these tasks without manual intervention. The automation associated with the use of scripts is called "scripting", and PowerShell is a scripting language, just like other languages such as Python, Bash or Perl.

PowerShell is capable of executing tasks locally on a machine, be it a workstation or a server, but also remotely. Indeed, PowerShell supports remote task execution on multiple machines (via WinRM and SSH protocols, for example), which is essential for administering and configuring a set of systems.

When a PowerShell script is executed, it will perform every action described rigorously, without ever making a mistake and without tiring, provided the code is correct. This requires testing. Conversely, humans are prone to making mistakes, especially when they have to repeat the same task a large number of times: a typing error, an oversight, a wrong click, etc. This is all the more true when you're under pressure and short of time.

All in all, we can say that automating tasks will save time, reduce errors and increase efficiency, thus enhancing the value of your work. When a script is executed, the machine follows the instructions described in the script to complete tasks automatically and systematically.