When it comes to automation, both PowerShell and Python offer powerful capabilities. Let’s explore their strengths and use cases through practical examples.
File System Operations
PowerShell
Get-ChildItem -Path "C:\Logs" -Filter "*.log" |
Where-Object { $_.LastWriteTime -lt (Get-Date).AddDays(-30) } |
Remove-Item
Python
import os
from datetime import datetime, timedelta
log_dir = "C:/Logs"
threshold = datetime.now() - timedelta(days=30)
for file in os.listdir(log_dir):
if file.endswith('.log'):
path = os.path.join(log_dir, file)
if datetime.fromtimestamp(os.path.getmtime(path)) < threshold:
os.remove(path)
System Information
PowerShell
Get-CimInstance Win32_OperatingSystem |
Select-Object Caption, Version, LastBootUpTime
Python
import platform
import psutil
print(f"OS: {platform.system()} {platform.version()}")
print(f"Boot Time: {datetime.fromtimestamp(psutil.boot_time())}")
Key Differences
-
Platform Support
- PowerShell: Primarily Windows, though cross-platform with PowerShell Core
- Python: Truly cross-platform with consistent behavior
-
Integration
- PowerShell: Deep Windows and Azure integration
- Python: Extensive third-party library ecosystem
-
Learning Curve
- PowerShell: Steeper for non-Windows administrators
- Python: Generally more intuitive syntax
When to Choose Which
Choose PowerShell when:
- Working primarily with Windows systems
- Automating Azure resources
- Needing deep Windows integration
Choose Python when:
- Requiring cross-platform compatibility
- Building complex automation logic
- Needing extensive third-party libraries
Both languages have their place in modern automation, and choosing between them often depends on your specific use case and environment.