PowerShell Guide to Python: Python Argparse vs PowerShell Param()

Python ‘argparse’ Module

The ‘argparse’ module in Python is the easy to make user-friendly, powerful command-line interfaces. Depending upon the arguments defined in the program, ‘argparse’ has ability to parse the arguments passed to the script from the ‘sys.argv’ attribute in the back-end.

The ‘argparse’ module can also generates help and usage messages automatically and throw issues, errors in case program was passed invalid arguments.

If you want to know more about ‘argeparse’ module, try the Python help system full detailed help information

PowerShell Param() statement

PowerShell allows users to create parameterized scripts, or in other words script files that can accept arguments using ‘param()’ statement, which is simply a list of comma separated variables prefixed by data types like ‘[int]’, ‘[string]’, ‘[bool]’ etc, these variables act as a parameter names.

If you are using ‘Param’ statement in your script, then it should be the first thing (first-line) at the top of everything command that executes in a script.

You can also define default values to these parameters using the assignment operator (‘=’)

To call such parameterized scripts in PoweShell, you have to provide the path of the script and after a space use name of parameter prefixed with a hyphen (‘-‘) like ‘-UserName <value>’ to pass arguments to the script parameter.

NOTE:

This is just a teaser content from my book in form of a blog post!

If you want to know more use cases and similarities between Python’s Argument Parser and PowerShell’s param() statement and other more advanced techniques to pass command line arguments?

Then read my book (below) which is still in progress, on lean publishing format.

Buy early, pay less, free updates!

My new book : PowerShell Scripting Guide to Python

This PowerShell Scripting guide to Python is designed to make readers familiar with syntax, semantics and core concepts of Python language, in an approach that readers can totally relate with the concepts of PowerShell already in their arsenal, to learn Python fast and effectively, such that it sticks with readers for longer time.

“Use what you know to learn what you don’t. ” also known as Associative learning.

Book follows a comparative method to jump start readers journey in Python, but who is the target audience? and who should read this book –

Any System Administrator who want to step into Development or Programming roles, and even if you don’t want to be a developer, knowledge of another scripting language will make your skill set more robust.
Python Developers who want to learn PowerShell scripting and understand its ease of user and importance to manage any platform.

Python is one of the top programming languages and in fast changing IT scenarios to DevOps and Cloudto the future – Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning Python is a must know.

But this PowerShell Scripting guide to Python would be very helpful for you if you already have some knowledge of PowerShell

NOTE! This is a Leanpub “Agile-published” book. That means the book is currently unfinished and in-progress. As I continue to complete the chapters, we will re-publish the book with the new and updated content. Readers will receive an email once a new version is published!

While the book is in progress, please review it and send any feedback or error corrections at prateek@ridicurious.com

Optical Character Recognition Follow @SinghPrateik