PowerShell vs Command Prompt
PowerShell and Command Prompt are both command-line interfaces available on Windows operating systems. While they share some similarities, there are key differences between the two. Here's a comparison:
PowerShell:
PowerShell is a more advanced command-line shell and scripting language introduced by Microsoft in 2006.
It combines the functionality of the old Command Prompt with a new scripting/cmdlet instruction set and built-in system administration capabilities 1.
PowerShell uses cmdlets (command-lets), which are small scripts with clear names, to perform tasks. One PowerShell cmdlet can replace a long sequence of commands in Command Prompt 2.
It offers a more modern and powerful command-line environment, allowing administrators to automate complex tasks more easily.
PowerShell has native integration with .NET and WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation), providing access to a wide range of system administration features.
It supports command chaining through pipelines, allowing the output of one command to be used as input for another.
PowerShell has a standard help framework for command documentation and a scripting environment with features like the Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE) and Visual Studio Code 3.
Command Prompt:
Command Prompt, also known as CMD, is the original shell for the Microsoft DOS operating system. It is a legacy environment that has been carried forward in Windows 1.
It is a simpler command-line interface compared to PowerShell and is primarily used for executing batch files or running simple utilities 4.
Command Prompt uses basic commands inherited from MS-DOS, such as cd and dir, to interact with the system 5.
It does not have the same level of system administration capabilities or scripting functionality as PowerShell 1.
Command Prompt primarily deals with text-based output, whereas PowerShell outputs objects that can be manipulated more easily.
In summary, PowerShell is a more advanced and powerful command-line shell and scripting language compared to Command Prompt. It offers greater automation capabilities, native integration with .NET and WMI, and a more modern command-line environment. However, Command Prompt is still useful for executing simple commands and running batch files.
Please note that starting from Windows 10 build 14791, PowerShell became the default option, replacing Command Prompt in certain contexts. However, users can still opt to use Command Prompt if they prefer