What are the most advanced techniques for OS automation using scripts?

OS automation using scripts can save you time, reduce errors, and optimize performance. But how can you take your scripting skills to the next level and leverage the most advanced techniques available? In this article, we will explore some of the best practices and tools for OS scripting and automation languages, such as PowerShell, Bash, Python, and Ansible. Whether you are working on Windows, Linux, or Mac, you will find some useful tips and tricks to automate your OS tasks more efficiently and effectively.

1 PowerShell Modules

PowerShell is a powerful scripting language and shell for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. It allows you to interact with various system components, such as files, registry, services, processes, and network. One of the most advanced techniques for OS automation using PowerShell is to create and use modules. Modules are reusable collections of functions, variables, and commands that can be imported and invoked in your scripts. Modules can help you organize your code, share your functionality, and extend your capabilities. You can create your own modules or use existing ones from the PowerShell Gallery or other sources. To create a module, you need to write a script file with the .psm1 extension and save it in a folder with the same name as the module. To use a module, you need to import it with the Import-Module cmdlet and then call its functions or commands.

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Ede W.

Leader | Hands-On DevSecOps & SRE | IaC | Platform Engineering | Empowering Teams
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In my experience, I've found Puppet|Foreman to be exceptional choices for environment configuration. They excel at ensuring reliability and immutability, while seamlessly handling both on-premises and cloud provisioning. For on-demand configurations, my top recommendations are Ansible, Packer, and Terraform. This trio of tools offers a powerful combination for constructing and orchestrating environments of any scale. Their synergy empowers you to build, modify, and manage environments with remarkable efficiency. And let's not forget the timeless power of BASH scripting. It's the versatile MacGyver/Gambiarra that can come to the rescue in countless scenarios. Having a strong command of bash can be a game-changer..

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2 Bash Functions

Bash is a popular scripting language and shell for Linux and Mac OS. It allows you to execute commands, manipulate text, and control the flow of your scripts. One of the most advanced techniques for OS automation using Bash is to create and use functions. Functions are blocks of code that can be defined and called in your scripts. Functions can help you avoid repetition, simplify your logic, and modularize your code. You can create your own functions or use existing ones from the Bash library or other sources. To create a function, you need to use the function keyword or the parentheses syntax and then write the body of the function. To use a function, you need to call it by its name and pass any arguments if needed.

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Samuel Tillman

Staff Site Reliability Engineer @ NBA 🏀 | US Army Veteran | Infrastructure & Operations Guy | Professional Feather Ruffler 😏 | All opinions are my own.
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Bash functions are like your personal toolkit in the scripting world...handy for making complex scripts neater and more efficient. With functions, you can wrap up repeatable tasks into one-line commands, making your code cleaner and your work quicker. Think of them as custom-made shortcuts; once you define a block of code as a function, you can call it up with a simple command instead of rewriting the same code over and over. Whether you're automating system updates or managing files, mastering functions in Bash is a game-changer for script wizards looking to streamline their command-line magic.

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3 Python Libraries

Python is a versatile scripting language that can be used for various OS automation tasks, such as file operations, system administration, web scraping, and data analysis. One of the most advanced techniques for OS automation using Python is to use libraries. Libraries are packages of code that provide additional functionality and features for your scripts. Libraries can help you access system resources, interact with other applications, and perform complex tasks. You can use built-in libraries that come with Python or external libraries that can be installed with pip or other tools. To use a library, you need to import it with the import statement and then use its functions or classes.

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4 Ansible Playbooks

Ansible is a configuration management and orchestration tool that can be used for OS automation across multiple machines. It allows you to define the desired state of your systems and then apply it automatically using SSH or other protocols. One of the most advanced techniques for OS automation using Ansible is to create and use playbooks. Playbooks are YAML files that describe the tasks and roles that should be executed on your hosts. Playbooks can help you automate complex workflows, manage dependencies, and enforce consistency. You can create your own playbooks or use existing ones from the Ansible Galaxy or other sources. To use a playbook, you need to run it with the ansible-playbook command and specify the inventory and the variables.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Lee Hughes

DevSecOps and Nix/NixOS Technologies Enthusiast. Currently riding my bike.
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All the solutions lists on this page have a similar problem. The are not reproducible? Why is reproduciblity important within OS automation? First of all don't get reproducability confused with repeatablity. All the solutions here are repeatable, but they are not reproducable. Have you ever had a script fail on you because of some external force, maybe a library update or bizarre change? We need reproducability in our systems today. Making the whole excuse of 'it works on my machine' a thing of the past Building and deploying software from source from 10 years ago, should as easy i as it to compile this software today and in the future With reproducible systems it either works everywhere or no where Want to know more? DM's open.

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Alberto A.

Senior Site Reliability Engineer | Go, Python, AWS, Linux, etc.
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Operating systems, distributions, versions, homogeneous or heterogeneous systems can also be a key factor to determine the automation system(s) to utilize and implement

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What are the most advanced techniques for OS automation using scripts?

1

2

3

4

5

1 PowerShell Modules

2 Bash Functions

3 Python Libraries

4 Ansible Playbooks

5 Here’s what else to consider

Operating Systems

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What are the most advanced techniques for OS automation using scripts?

1

2

3

4

5

1 PowerShell Modules

2 Bash Functions

3 Python Libraries

4 Ansible Playbooks

5 Here’s what else to consider

Operating Systems

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