The PowerShell Podcast

Emrys MacInally Explores PowerShell Error Handling and Module Versioning Strategies

Jul 15, 2024

Emrys MacInally, a seasoned IT expert and speaker at PSConf.EU, shares his compelling insights into PowerShell. He emphasizes the vital role of mental health in the community while discussing best practices for versioning modules and the importance of maintaining backward compatibility. Emrys also critiques the conventional 'throw' error handling, advocating for clearer error communication and introducing his ErrorRecord module for enhanced error management. Listeners can expect valuable tips and strategies for effective PowerShell usage and community support.

45:02

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Episode guests

Emrys MacInally

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Emrys MacInally emphasizes the necessity of mental health awareness in the PowerShell community, advocating for greater support among its members.

The podcast highlights the significance of effective error handling, recommending the use of throwTerminatingError for clearer error communication in scripts.

Deep dives

Managing System Restore Points with PowerShell

PowerShell can be effectively used to create, configure, and delete system restore points, utilizing tools such as VSS Admin. This allows users in charge of system maintenance to manage restore points more efficiently. By integrating scripts to automate these tasks, IT professionals can enhance their workflow and reduce manual errors. The episode emphasizes the practicality of leveraging PowerShell in administrative tasks for improved system management.

Intro

4min

Mastering PowerShell Module Versioning

9min

Navigating Conference Talks and the Power of Regex

2min

Understanding Error Handling in PowerShell: Beyond the Throw Keyword

3min

Advanced PowerShell Error Handling Techniques

3min

Reflections from the PowerShell Conference

13min

Navigating Challenges and Building Connections

9min

Exploring Essential PowerShell Modules and Community Engagement

3min

In this episode, we welcome back Emrys MacInally, following another successful year speaking at PSConf.EU. Emrys shares his experiences and highlights from the conference, shedding light on key discussions and takeaways. We dive deep into the importance of mental health within the PowerShell community, exploring how the community can support each other. Emrys provides insights into best practices for versioning PowerShell modules and delves into the nuances of error handling, explaining why developers should avoid using the 'throw' statement in scripts. Additionally, Emrys introduces his ErrorRecord module, which simplifies the process of creating error records, offering a practical solution for more efficient error management. Tune in for an enlightening conversation packed with valuable tips and expert advice for PowerShell enthusiasts.

Guest Bio and links:

Emrys MacInally has worked in the IT industry for over 19 years, focusing primarily on the delivery of back-end services on Windows. Since the release of PowerShell 2, PowerShell has become his primary automation tool. His love for PowerShell has only grown since then.

PowerShell Podcast Home page: https://www.pdq.com/resources/the-powershell-podcast/

PowerShell Pro Tips - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K95ovoMh170

https://discord.gg/pdq

https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/Configuration/1.6.0

https://4sysops.com/archives/create-configure-and-delete-system-restore-points-with-powershell-vssadminexe-and-system-properties/

https://www.powershellgallery.com/Packages/PSLinux/1.0.6

https://psweekly.dowst.dev

https://telegra.ph/PowerShell-Beyond-the-Prompt-06-27

https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/Configuration/1.6.0

https://github.com/LindnerBrewery/ErrorRecord

https://lindnerbrewery.github.io/posts/GitVersion_Mainline/