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PowerShell Automation Scripts

An automation script is a script that checks a condition and acts on what it finds. It inspects data first and then prints a report and a decision.

Count the log files

Create three log files, then count only the log files. The count is the data the decision uses.

Set-Content -Path "app1.log" -Value "ok"
Set-Content -Path "app2.log" -Value "ok"
Set-Content -Path "app3.log" -Value "ok"
$logs = Get-ChildItem -Filter *.log -File
"Log files: " + $logs.Count

Read a fixed status file

Create a status file with a fixed word, then read it back. The report prints that word exactly.

Set-Content -Path "status.txt" -Value "ready"
$status = Get-Content -Path "status.txt"
"Status: " + $status

Let the count choose the decision

With three log files and a threshold of three, the count reaches the threshold. The decision line prints archive.

Set-Content -Path "app1.log" -Value "ok"
Set-Content -Path "app2.log" -Value "ok"
Set-Content -Path "app3.log" -Value "ok"
$logs = Get-ChildItem -Filter *.log -File
if ($logs.Count -ge 3) { "Action: archive" } else { "Action: none" }

Example

Set-Content -Path "app1.log" -Value "ok"
Set-Content -Path "app2.log" -Value "ok"
Set-Content -Path "status.txt" -Value "ready"
$logs = Get-ChildItem -Filter *.log -File
$status = Get-Content -Path "status.txt"
"Log files: " + $logs.Count
"Status: " + $status
if ($logs.Count -ge 3) { "Action: archive" } else { "Action: none" }

Key points

  • Automation script: a script that checks a condition and acts on the result.
  • Condition: a test the script uses to choose between two actions.
  • Report: a short summary of what the script found.
  • Decision line: a final line that states the action the script will take.
  • Threshold: a fixed number the script compares a count against to make its decision.

In this example, the script creates two log files and a status file, counts the log files, reads the status, prints a short report, and prints the other decision because two log files are below the threshold of three.

Note

an automation script prints the same report for the same data, so a second run with different data can print a different decision.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated

Exercise

A script finds 4 log files and its threshold is 3. What decision does it print?