Differences Between PowerShell and PowerShell Core

PowerShell and PowerShell Core are two versions of the popular command-line shell and scripting language developed by Microsoft. While they share many similarities, there are several key differences between the two that are worth exploring in more detail. 🤔

Platform Support 🌎

One of the most significant differences between PowerShell and PowerShell Core is platform support. PowerShell is designed to run on Windows operating systems only, while PowerShell Core is a cross-platform version of PowerShell that can run on Windows, Linux, and macOS. This means that if you need to manage systems running on multiple platforms, PowerShell Core is the better choice. 🌐

Performance 🚀

PowerShell Core was designed with performance in mind. It is faster and more efficient than PowerShell because it uses .NET Core instead of the full .NET Framework. .NET Core is a lightweight and modular version of .NET that is optimized for cross-platform development. This means that PowerShell Core can run faster on any platform and consume fewer system resources than PowerShell. In fact, Microsoft claims that PowerShell Core is up to six times faster than PowerShell. 💻

Compatibility 🤝

PowerShell Core is not fully compatible with PowerShell. This means that some PowerShell scripts and modules may not work in PowerShell Core. However, Microsoft has made efforts to ensure that most PowerShell scripts will work in PowerShell Core. The majority of the PowerShell modules will also work in PowerShell Core, but some may need to be updated to work correctly. PowerShell Core also includes a PowerShell compatibility layer that allows users to access PowerShell modules that are not included in PowerShell Core. 👨‍💻

Built-in Modules 🧩

PowerShell Core has a smaller set of built-in modules than PowerShell. This is because PowerShell Core is designed to be more lightweight and modular than PowerShell. However, PowerShell Core can still access PowerShell modules by using the PowerShell compatibility layer. This means that you can still use the same PowerShell modules in PowerShell Core, but you may need to install them first. 🛠️

Security 🔒

PowerShell Core has improved security features compared to PowerShell. One of the most significant security improvements in PowerShell Core is the introduction of Just Enough Administration (JEA). JEA is a feature that allows you to restrict user access to PowerShell commands and functions. JEA can help you limit the potential damage caused by malicious PowerShell scripts and prevent unauthorized access to your systems. PowerShell Core also includes other security enhancements, such as support for Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.2 encryption. 🔐

Conclusion 🎉

In summary, PowerShell and PowerShell Core are both powerful tools that can help system administrators and IT professionals manage their systems effectively. However, they differ in terms of platform support, performance, compatibility, built-in modules, and security features. The choice between PowerShell and PowerShell Core depends on your specific needs and requirements. If you need to manage systems running on multiple platforms, PowerShell Core is the better choice. If you need to run complex PowerShell scripts or modules, PowerShell may be the better choice. 😊