'Monad' Named Windows PowerShell

By Nate Mook | Published April 25, 2006, 3:41 PM

Microsoft's new command line shell and scripting language, known by the code-name Monad, has been given an official name: Windows PowerShell. The utility is designed to enable administrators to automate and control tasks on Windows desktops and servers.

Monad was initially slated to replace the command line in Windows with an object-oriented shell that rivals shells found on Unix systems. However, Microsoft Senior Vice President Bob Muglia said last year that it would take the company a few years to fully flesh out the technology.

Still, Microsoft has been pushing ahead with Monad and released Windows PowerShell Release Candidate 1 on Tuesday. In addition, Exchange Server 2007 and Microsoft Operations Manager version 3 -- known as System Center Operations Manager 2007 -- are being built atop the PowerShell technology.

PowerShell is a fairly complex endeavor for Microsoft, which has previously focused its attention on the graphical interface while rival server software remains primarily command line based. The idea was to build a Unix-like shell for administrators that offers advanced scripting capabilities while remaining easy to program.

Upon release, Exchange Server 2007 and MOM users will be able to do everything from the command line that can be done from the graphical interface.

Windows PowerShell features 130 built-in utilities called "cmdlets" for completing common system administration tasks; simplified navigation of the operating system including drives, startup files, and registry; support for existing scripts and command line tools; and object manipulation capabilities.

PowerShell RC1 requires the .NET Framework 2.0 and runs on Windows XP, Server 2003 and Windows Vista, with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions available.

Comments

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IT'S ABOUT TIME windows finally gets a powerful shell.

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Microsoft sucks

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Amazing. Not because it's powerful; I mean it's amazing to see a SHELL with a working set of 40MB of RAM after a few internal commands. For crying out loud...

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Well the name sucks but the product is the best thing to come out of Microsoft in a very long time. I love using MSH, it is easy, fast and amazingly powerful. They are taking security seriously and this is starting to show as we head towards a final release. For administrators and developers (as well as other IT pros) this product is a breath of fresh air. I love it.

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Damn.

Crappy name for something that will make my job 90% better.

Ah well... At least they finally got around to it.

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4NT put's this command shell into the Trash bin

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That made me laugh out loud. Have you even used this product?

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Windows Powershell? Who comes up with these names?

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Thats what I thought. I can understand not using Monad (replace the M and you have a problem ;) but PowerShell? Jesus it sounds so desperate. They should have just called it MSH or WSH, its for administrator, developers and other IT professionals, not for home users. It doesn't need a stupid, fancy name like Windows PowerShell.

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Windows PowerS hell

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My thoughts exactly. Windows Powershell.....Windows Defender. Sounds like video games from the 80s

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or Windows Power's hell

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Monad is way cool. This new name certainly sounds right for it :)

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cmdlets ????

more like DOS XP or DOS vista

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Oh how I love seeing replies from people who have never used it. So funny.

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Dude, you've read some of his posts, I'm sure. Would you *want* him using Monad?

*grin*

No offense, Das mod. ;)

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heh :)

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lol, none taken :P

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LMAO!

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