The command line isn't dead--far from it. Administrators of big Windows NT networks know that the best way to accomplish a difficult task frequently involves using the console interface rather than the graphical user interface. By writing batch routines, it's relatively easy to perform fancy tasks on local computers and distant ones. In Windows NT Shell Scripting, Tim Hill has done a service by explaining how to write and use scripts under Windows NT.

He begins at the beginning, explaining what scripting is and how command lines come to exist under Windows NT. The reader gets full information on virtual DOS machines and how programs started by scripts are instantiated. There's also some useful information on redirecting script output--handy when using batch files to create HTML documents, for example.

If you think the way batch files handle subroutines, variables, and pretty much everything else involves some weird syntax, you're right. Hill decrypts it all, explaining the mechanics of the Windows NT batch-scripting language very clearly. After he explains how to script academically, he provides some examples. There's a script that automates the creation of user accounts, another script that monitors print activity, another that keeps an eye on disk usage, and one that does backups. A few more scripts round out the selection. Many of the scripts refer to a library of functions that's also listed and explained. Unfortunately, there's no companion disk, so readers have to get the samples from the Macmillan Web site.

It would be nice if this book contained some coverage of the new Windows Scripting Host, which you can use to write scripts in VBScript, JavaScript, and (in the future) other languages like Perl and Python. But that's cutting-edge stuff that hasn't yet been fully figured out, and what this book contains is great. All harried sysadmins, particularly those who came on line after the age of DOS had begun to wane, will be grateful for the guidance Hill provides. --David Wall


Book Description
Windows NT Shell Scripting is a comprehensive reference for network professionals. It is the only book available on the practical use of the Windows NT shell scripting language. The book begins with a high-level introduction to the shell language itself, then describes the shell commands that are useful for controlling or managing different components of a network, i.e. file management, etc. The second part of the book is a comprehensive reference of all the commands, organized by function, for easy reference by the reader.


Book Info
An ideal resource for system & network administrators who are working with Windows NT, but are interested in moving beyond the NT GUI. A complete reference for Windows NT scripting. Paper.


From the Back Cover
Windows NT Shell Scripting is a comprehensive reference for network professionals. It is the only book available on the practical use of the Windows NT shell scripting language. The book begins with a high-level introduction to the shell language itself, then describes the shell commands that are useful for controlling or managing different components of a network, i.e. file management, etc. The second part of the book is a comprehensive reference of all the commands, organized by function, for easy reference by the reader.

FROM OUR EDITORS

Fatbrain Review Finally, it's here, a superb book on NT shell scripting. Designed for system and network administrators who want to go beyond the NT GUI (graphical user interface), this complete reference covers Windows NT scripting language, including shell command syntax. For ease of use, the scripting commands are organized by functional group. All information is based on Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack3 and the Windows NT 4.0 Resource Kit supplement 2. The book covers the Windows NT command shell, script parameters, script variables, control flow and script nesting. It contains a complete set of ready-to-use scripting solutions. You can use them as is or modify them to suit your requirements. The book provides case studies to demonstrate how scripting solutions are being used to solve real-life problems.

ANNOTATION

Finally, it's here, a superb book on NT shell scripting. Designed for system and network administrators who want to go beyond the NT GUI (graphical user interface), this complete reference covers Windows NT scripting language, including shell command syntax. For ease of use, the scripting commands are organized by functional group. All information is based on Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack3 and the Windows NT 4.0 Resource Kit supplement 2. The book covers the Windows NT command shell, script parameters, script variables, control flow and script nesting. It contains a complete set of ready-to-use scripting solutions. You can use them as is or modify them to suit your requirements. The book provides case studies to demonstrate how scripting solutions are being used to solve real-life problems.

FROM THE PUBLISHER