Help in learning VBScript!
Openallnight
I would like to ask all the scripting experts some advice. I've been a
network/system administrator for about 10 years now and am quite familiar
with Microsoft Server, Active Directory, etc...
I've always wanted to learn scripting and how that can save me lots of time
in doing all my tasks in a server environment.
The question is, where do I start? Should I start with VBScript? I think
thats what W2K3 works best with, especially AD.
All I know about ANY type of scripting/programming is making a simple batch
file to create a network share or something, thats it! So I am a TOTAL newbie
and have NO skills whatsoever in this field. I dont know what WMI is or VB
Script is or JAVA Script or Shell or PHP or anything in that sense or what it
even stands for or what it even does. Ive bought "beginner books" on VBScript
only to be frustrated to no end by page 3 which already is talking about
objects, variables and other scripting terms, but doesnt explain what it is
or what it means, assuming one already knows these terms. I cant even find a
dummies book on VBScript for system administration.
Can you give me some advice on how I can start learning this? I dont want to
buy a book only to find out it's way above my head or to find out I'm
starting to study something that is soon to be obsolete.
I would appreciate all your help.
Thanks alot.
Owen Gilmore
> in doing all my tasks in a server environment.
> The question is, where do I start? Should I start with VBScript? I think
> thats what W2K3 works best with, especially AD.
> All I know about ANY type of scripting/programming is making a simple batch
> file to create a network share or something, thats it! So I am a TOTAL newbie
> and have NO skills whatsoever in this field. I dont know what WMI is or VB
> Script is or JAVA Script or Shell or PHP or anything in that sense or what it
> even stands for or what it even does. Ive bought "beginner books" on VBScript
> only to be frustrated to no end by page 3 which already is talking about
> objects, variables and other scripting terms, but doesnt explain what it is
> or what it means, assuming one already knows these terms. I cant even find a
> dummies book on VBScript for system administration.
> Can you give me some advice on how I can start learning this? I dont want to
> buy a book only to find out it's way above my head or to find out I'm
> starting to study something that is soon to be obsolete.
> I would appreciate all your help.
> Thanks alot.
the scripting guys on microsoft are a great place to start...there's a
beginning section called sesame script. To find it, google scripting
guys
If you're really really a newbie, and a sysadmin, consider learning
Powershell. This is the way msft is going for administrative
scripting, it seems. Again, just google powershell, and you'll get
tons of hits.
good luck!
OG
T_Condit
Richard Mueller [MVP]
"Owen Gilmore" <aogi...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1190825146.8...@d55g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
The best resource for scripting AD Administrative tasks is:
Microsoft Windows 2000 Scripting Guide - Automating System Administration"
It covers VBScript, WSH, ADSI, ADO, and WMI. This text is available online
at:
Another book I found useful for learning VBScript (and I still refer to it)
is:
"Windows Script Host", by Tim Hill. New Rider Publishing
However it's a few years old and may no longer be available.
--
Richard Mueller
Microsoft MVP Scripting and ADSI
Hilltop Lab - http://www.rlmueller.net
--
Ruben Knudsen
little less documented as far as samples etc than vb-script, but prolly won't
take too long till it's used more, leading to more samples.
If you think the books are aiming over your head, you might just try
learning by trial and error. Though stay out of your production environment
when doing that. Try VbsEdit, a nice program if you write vb-scripts, which
also has quite a few sample scripts which you can modify to your own needs.
When doing so, try to figure out what the script does instead of focusing to
much on the details as far as what is an object, variables and so on. Then
copy the premade script line by line (by typing it out) and ask yourself for
each line, what is this line doing, and get a general knowledge of what the
scripts are doing. I've personally have learned a lot more from butchering
other's scripts rather than reading from a book. But then again, I've had
some previous experience in programing/scripting, so may not be as easy for
you...
TDM
"Openallnight" <Openal...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B63D5507-1997-47C3...@microsoft.com...
> Hello,
> I would like to ask all the scripting experts some advice. I've been a
> network/system administrator for about 10 years now and am quite familiar
> with Microsoft Server, Active Directory, etc...
I am wondering how you got by the last 10 years without scripting !
Here is a good place for a bunch of sample scripts related to system
admin. You can play with these a bit, then munge together pieces to
create your own.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/scripts/default.mspx?mfr=true
For me, I came to scripting with prior VB and VBA knowledge so it was
pretty easy to pick up. I have to agree with the others that have suggested
you start with PowerShell. Since you have not been accustomed to any
previous scripting, you may want to start with what will soon be the norm.
Good luck.
TDM