Azure PowerShell vs Azure CLI: A Comparison of Azure Management

Azure PowerShell and Azure CLI are two popular tools for managing Azure resources. Azure PowerShell is a task-based command-line tool that allows you to automate and manage Azure resources.

Azure CLI, on the other hand, is a cross-platform command-line tool that provides a consistent and easy-to-use interface for managing Azure resources. It's designed for scripting and automation.

Both tools offer a wide range of features and capabilities, but they have different use cases and strengths. In this comparison, we'll explore the key differences between Azure PowerShell and Azure CLI.

Azure PowerShell is ideal for tasks that require complex scripting and automation, while Azure CLI is better suited for simple tasks and ad-hoc management.

Scripting solutions can be a great way to manage Azure resources, especially when combined with other tools like Azure CLI.

The actual script file, including parameters, can be kept small and focused on a single task or a small number of resources. This approach is beneficial for incremental deployments, where you don't want to redeploy the entire template.

Using PowerShell as a scripting solution offers features like error handling and reusability, making your code more robust and maintainable. This is particularly useful when working with Azure CLI, which can be used in combination with PowerShell for more functionality.

Bash and PowerShell are two popular scripting languages used in different operating systems. Bash is a Unix shell and scripting language for most Linux operating systems, while PowerShell is a command shell and scripting language for the majority of Windows operating systems.

The first version of PowerShell was introduced in 2006, while the Bash shell appeared in 1989. PowerShell treats input and output as objects, while Bash always accepts input and output as text structures.

PowerShell's user interface is a command-line interface, whereas Bash's is a text command-line interface. This difference in user interface can affect how you interact with each scripting language.

Here's a comparison of Bash and PowerShell:

PowerShell is a scripting language based on the .NET framework and C# programming language, while Bash is a scripting language based on the C programming language. This difference in underlying technology can impact how you write scripts and interact with the operating system.

Cloud Shell allows you to access Azure CLI, PowerShell, and Bash from a web browser without needing a local Windows or Linux system. This means you can work on Azure projects from anywhere.

You can launch Cloud Shell from the top bar of the Azure portal, and then choose to work with PowerShell or Bash depending on your task. This flexibility is a game-changer for Azure users.

Azure Cloud Shell is particularly useful for tasks that require a command-line interface, but don't need the full power of a local system. It's like having a virtual command prompt at your fingertips.

Here are the key features of Cloud Shell:

With Cloud Shell, you can work on Azure projects from anywhere, at any time, without needing to worry about the underlying system. This is a major advantage for Azure users who want to work efficiently and effectively.

Combining PowerShell with Azure CLI is a great approach to get more functionality out of your scripts.

You can create reusable code by adding PowerShell functions to your Azure CLI scripts, which also adds error handling.

One benefit of combining both tools is that developers can reuse their code by others, who can simply change variables in a terminal session and run the code.

This approach is especially useful if you're unsure which tool to use alone.

Here's an example of how you can combine PowerShell and Azure CLI:

By combining both tools, you can create more robust and maintainable scripts.

In the end, combining PowerShell and Azure CLI is a great way to get the best of both worlds and create more efficient scripting solutions.

PowerShell is available cross-platform, making it a great choice for developers who work on multiple operating systems.

PowerShell operates on objects, which allows for easy manipulation of data. For example, the dictionary of tags is easily passed to the Azure functions, and key values can be easily extracted from result objects.

PowerShell scripts are relatively short, typically consisting of one or a few lines per resource. This makes them easy to write and understand.

PowerShell scripts can be written and run interactively, making it easy to debug or troubleshoot. This is especially useful for complex scripts that require multiple iterations.

PowerShell scripts don't get any special handling in Azure, they are simply executed as separate commands. This means you can run them independently and see the results without affecting other scripts.

Here are some key benefits of using PowerShell:

The Azure CLI has some great strengths that make it a compelling choice for managing Azure resources. It's a single tool to install, and it takes care of the modules for you.

The Azure CLI is cross-platform, which means you can use it on any OS, including Linux distributions, MacOS, and Windows. This makes it a versatile option for IT teams.

One of the biggest advantages of the Azure CLI is its compact syntax. It's similar to PowerShell, with one line per resource, making it easy to manage resources quickly.

But, it's worth noting that manipulation, like setting variables, can be more complex with the Azure CLI.

Here are some of the key strengths of the Azure CLI at a glance:

You can create an Azure resource group using various methods. One way is to use the New-AzResourceGroup command in PowerShell, which is a scaled-back version of a PowerShell function.

This method is more likely to be used in practice, but it's worth noting that PowerShell gives you more "programmer" type options compared to Azure CLI.

With PowerShell, you can extend the cmdlet with additional functionality that you don't have with a command-line tool like Azure CLI. This is because PowerShell provides parameters, error testing, and more.

Creating a resource in PowerShell allows you to see the differences between code length, ease of use, and speed. This is a good way to compare PowerShell and Azure CLI in action.

Hybrid solutions can be a great way to deploy Azure resources, especially when you need to start from scratch.

Template solutions are best for deployments that require zero incremental changes, and they can offer benefits as they are reported in the Azure Portal.

Pre-written example templates are readily available from Microsoft, making it easier to get started.

Scripting with PowerShell can be the primary system, but the initial deployment of resources can be done as a series of templates.

Keeping the scope of each script small, either one or a small number of resources, can make it easier to manage.

Using a migrations journal, a template will only be deployed once per environment, making it a more efficient approach.

Subsequent scripts can then use direct PowerShell to manipulate the resource or deploy a new template over the top, rather than modifying the original template.