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PowerShell Introduction - Screen-reader friendly (JAWS/NVDA)

Estimated time: 20-30 minutes

Target audience: Users who are new to the command line and use screen readers.

Learning Goals

  • Open and identify the PowerShell prompt
  • Run basic commands: pwd, ls -n, cd, ni, cat, echo
  • Redirect and page through long outputs for screen readers
  • Use Get-Help and Get-Command to learn more

Starting PowerShell

Windows

  1. Press Windows, type PowerShell, then press Enter.
  2. If you need elevated rights, press Windows+X then choose Windows PowerShell (Admin).

macOS / Linux

  1. Open Terminal.app (macOS) or your preferred terminal (Linux).
  2. Type pwsh and press Enter (PowerShell Core / pwsh must be installed).

When PowerShell starts you will hear the prompt and usually your current path. The default prompt often includes PS followed by the path, e.g., PS C:\Users\YourName>.

Essential commands - short list

  • pwd - print working directory (where you are now)
  • ls -n - list file and folder names only (recommended for screen readers)
  • cd <path> - change directory
  • ni <filename> - create a file (alias for New-Item)
  • cat <file> - show file contents
  • echo <text> - print text

Quick examples:

pwd
ls -n
cd Documents
ni notes.txt
echo "hello" > notes.txt
cat notes.txt

Paging long outputs for screen readers

  • If an output is long, redirect to a file and open it in an editor: some-command > output.txt ; notepad.exe output.txt.
  • Or pipe to more: some-command | more (press Space to advance pages, Q to quit).
  • For very long listings prefer ls -n | Out-File -FilePath list.txt -Encoding utf8 then open list.txt.

Help and discovery

  • Get-Help <command> shows help: Get-Help ls or Get-Help Get-ChildItem.
  • Get-Command <name> locates a program or cmdlet: Get-Command openscad.

Tip: Redirect Get-Help into a file for easier reading: Get-Help Get-Command | Out-File help.txt ; notepad.exe help.txt.

Running scripts and executables

  • Use the call operator & to run files with spaces or when PowerShell might treat them differently: & "./script.ps1".
  • To run an executable by path: & 'C:\Program Files\OpenSCAD\openscad.exe'.

Screen reader specific tips (JAWS, NVDA)

  • Use ls -n to avoid cluttered, multi-column listings.
  • Redirect large outputs to a text file and open it in an editor that your screen reader handles well.
  • If output stops being announced, try moving focus with Alt+Tab and back, or briefly pressing Ctrl or Shift to force announcement.

Suggested learning path

  1. Open PowerShell, run pwd, ls -n, cd into Documents.
  2. Create a file with ni test.txt, add a line with echo "hi" > test.txt, and read it with cat test.txt.
  3. Use Get-Help ls and redirect output to a file to read comfortably.

Hands-on: Explore the terminal (Beginner)

  1. Run pwd and speak or note the output.
  2. Run ls -n in your home directory. If the list is long, save it: ls -n > listing.txt ; notepad.exe listing.txt.
  3. Create a folder and file: mkdir PS_Practice ; cd PS_Practice ; ni notes.txt.
  4. Add a line: echo "My first note" > notes.txt ; cat notes.txt.

Extension Exercises

  1. Use wildcards to list only .scad files: ls -n *.scad. Proceed to search for other types of files.
  2. Save a long command’s output and search it with Select-String.
  3. Create a small script that prints a timestamp and test it with &.
  4. Build a project template generator: write a script that creates a folder structure for a new 3D printing project.
  5. Create a personalized PowerShell profile with aliases for frequently used commands; test it after restart.
  6. Write a PowerShell script that combines multiple concepts: navigates folders, creates files, and performs file operations.
  7. Create a screen-reader navigation guide for PowerShell ISE; test with actual screen reader if available.
  8. Build a data analysis script: read a CSV file, filter and process data, and generate a report.
  9. Develop a troubleshooting aide: common PowerShell error messages, their causes, and solutions.
  10. Design a comprehensive PowerShell learning portfolio: document skills developed, commands mastered, scripts created, and practical applications.

Quick Quiz (10 questions)

  1. What command shows your current directory?
  2. How do you list names only for screen readers?
  3. How do you create an empty file?
  4. What operator runs a script or executable by path?
  5. How do you page through long output?
  6. True or False: PowerShell only runs on Windows.
  7. What does the ~ symbol represent in a PowerShell path?
  8. Explain why redirecting output to a file (e.g., command > output.txt) is helpful for screen reader users.
  9. What is the difference between Get-Help and Get-Command?
  10. Describe a practical scenario where you would use piping (|) in PowerShell.

References

  • Microsoft. (2024). PowerShell scripting language documentation. https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/
  • Microsoft. (2024). Out-File cmdlet reference. https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.utility/out-file
  • Wadhwa, K. & others. (2024). PowerShell for DevOps and system administration. https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/scripting/learn/shell/navigate-the-filesystem