Snippet Name: Jupyter_SQL_Automation
Tags:
Created Date: 2025-06-16 13:12:43
Last Modified Date: 2025-05-31 10:32:17
Dependencies:
DBA Notes:
Sample Output:
Title: Jupyter SQL Automation
Author: user
I am trying to build a Jupyter Notebook that will document a SQL server, and run various code in TSQL , PowerShell, and potentially other things. I have scripts on disk, that i would like to place in the same folder as the notebook, and have a step in the notebook execute the code agaisnt, say a server that was parameterized in the notebook
Author: ChatGPT
Great goal???creating a Jupyter Notebook to document a SQL Server and execute T-SQL and PowerShell code is a very powerful and portable way to blend documentation, automation, and auditing.
### Here's how you can structure your notebook project:
---
### ???? Folder Structure
```
SQL_Server_Audit/
???
????????? runbook.ipynb # Your main Jupyter Notebook
????????? config.json # (Optional) to hold server info, credentials, etc.
????????? scripts/
??? ????????? tsql/
??? ??? ????????? get_databases.sql
??? ??? ????????? check_indexes.sql
??? ????????? powershell/
??? ????????? get_services.ps1
??? ????????? check_logins.ps1
```
---
### ???? General Notebook Capabilities
In `runbook.ipynb`, you can:
- Parameterize a server name or instance
- Load SQL/PowerShell scripts from disk
- Execute them with Python
- Display results inline (DataFrames, text output, etc.)
---
### ??? Setup Steps in the Notebook
#### 1. **Parameterize the Target Server**
```python
# Set your SQL Server or PowerShell target
target_sql_server = "MyServer\\Instance"
target_ps_computer = "MyServer"
```
---
#### 2. **Run T-SQL from Disk Using pyodbc**
```python
import pyodbc
from pathlib import Path
def run_tsql_script(server, script_path):
with open(script_path, 'r') as f:
sql = f.read()
conn_str = f"DRIVER={{ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server}};SERVER={server};Trusted_Connection=yes;"
with pyodbc.connect(conn_str) as conn:
cursor = conn.cursor()
cursor.execute(sql)
try:
rows = cursor.fetchall()
for row in rows:
print(row)
except pyodbc.ProgrammingError:
print("No results to fetch.")
```
```python
run_tsql_script(target_sql_server, "scripts/tsql/get_databases.sql")
```
---
#### 3. **Run PowerShell Script from Disk Using subprocess**
```python
import subprocess
def run_powershell_script(script_path, computer_name=None):
cmd = ["powershell.exe", "-ExecutionPolicy", "Bypass", "-File", str(script_path)]
if computer_name:
cmd.append(f"-ComputerName {computer_name}")
result = subprocess.run(cmd, capture_output=True, text=True)
print(result.stdout)
if result.stderr:
print("ERROR:", result.stderr)
```
```python
run_powershell_script("scripts/powershell/get_services.ps1", computer_name=target_ps_computer)
```
---
### ???? Optional Enhancements
- Use [Papermill](https://papermill.readthedocs.io/en/latest/) for parameterizing and executing notebooks programmatically.
- Store server credentials securely using environment variables or `.env` files with `python-dotenv`.
- Save results to CSV or Excel from DataFrames (`pandas`).
---
Would you like a complete downloadable starter notebook with this structure?
Author: user
I see your steps as they are defined, and they make sense. However, unless they are all in a single code block, I don't think say, the code that parameterized the target server would be accessible to a different code block, alter int he the notebook, that is doing other steps. am i wrong?
Author: ChatGPT
You're mostly **right** to be cautious???but there's **good news**.
### ??? In Jupyter Notebooks:
Variables defined in one **executed code cell** are accessible to **any other code cell executed afterward**, as long as they???re in the same kernel session.
---
### ???? Example
If you have:
#### Cell 1:
```python
target_sql_server = "MyServer\\Instance"
```
#### Cell 2:
```python
print(f"Running against: {target_sql_server}")
```
??? It works **as long as**:
- You **run Cell 1 before Cell 2**
- You don???t restart the kernel in between
---
### ???? What to Watch Out For
- If you **restart the kernel**, all variables are lost unless you re-run the parameter cells.
- If you **run cells out of order**, you may get `NameError` exceptions because the variable hasn't been defined yet in that session.
---
### ???? Pro Tip
Add a **"Setup" section at the top** of your notebook labeled with a Markdown cell like:
```markdown
## ???? Setup and Configuration
Run this section first before anything else.
```
Then group all your important parameters and import statements in one code cell:
```python
# Imports
import pyodbc
import subprocess
from pathlib import Path
# Parameters
target_sql_server = "MyServer\\Instance"
target_ps_computer = "MyServer"
```
---
Would you like me to generate a minimal working Jupyter Notebook file (`.ipynb`) with this structure?
Author: user
yes please
Author: ChatGPT
??? Your Jupyter Notebook has been created: [Download SQL_Server_Audit_Notebook.ipynb](sandbox:/mnt/data/SQL_Server_Audit_Notebook.ipynb)
It includes:
- Parameter setup
- Functions to run T-SQL and PowerShell scripts from files
- Example usage placeholders
You can now place your `.sql` and `.ps1` scripts in a `scripts` folder alongside this notebook.
Would you like a matching folder structure or starter `.sql`/`.ps1` files to go with it?
Author: user
can you give me a brief explanation of the markdown expectations for a notebook, i see that anything starting with hash plus space gets a much larger font like a header
Author: ChatGPT
Absolutely! Jupyter Notebook Markdown cells follow standard **Markdown syntax**, which allows you to format text for documentation, explanations, and structure within the notebook.
### ???? Common Markdown Syntax in Jupyter
#### 1. **Headers**
Use `#` followed by a space to define headers. The more `#` symbols, the **smaller** the header:
```markdown
# H1 Header ??? Title
## H2 Header ??? Section
### H3 Header ??? Subsection
#### H4 Header
##### H5 Header
###### H6 Header
```
> ??? In notebooks, `# Header` becomes a large bold title, while `######` is smallest.
---
#### 2. **Bold and Italic**
```markdown
**bold text**
*italic text*
_italic text_
__bold text__
```
---
#### 3. **Code Blocks**
- **Inline code**: Use backticks
Example: ``Use `pyodbc.connect()` for database access``
- **Code block** (with triple backticks):
<pre>
```python
def hello():
print("Hello")
```
</pre>
---
#### 4. **Lists**
- **Unordered List**:
```markdown
- Item A
- Item B
- Subitem
```
- **Ordered List**:
```markdown
1. First
2. Second
1. Sub-item
```
---
#### 5. **Links and Images**
```markdown
&#91;OpenAI](https://www.openai.com)
!&#91;Alt Text](https://example.com/image.png)
```
---
#### 6. **Horizontal Rule**
```markdown
---
```
---
#### 7. **Blockquotes**
```markdown
> This is a note or quote.
```
---
Markdown cells are perfect for **documenting sections**, providing **instructions**, and making notebooks look clean and professional.
Would you like a cheat sheet included as the first cell in your notebook?
Author: user
in the notebook, how can i move an existing cell up or down
Author: ChatGPT
In a Jupyter Notebook, you can move cells **up** or **down** using either the **toolbar buttons** or **keyboard shortcuts**.
---
### ??? Method 1: Using the Toolbar Buttons (Classic & JupyterLab)
1. Click on the **cell** you want to move.
2. Use the **up/down arrow buttons** in the toolbar:
- ???? Move selected cell **up**
- ???? Move selected cell **down**
---
### ??? Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut (Command Mode) | Action |
|-------------------------|----------------------|
| `Esc` then `K` | Move **up** one cell |
| `Esc` then `J` | Move **down** one cell |
> You must be in **command mode** (gray border) for these shortcuts to work. Press `Esc` to exit edit mode if you're typing in a cell.
---
### ???? Example Workflow
1. Click outside a cell (gray border appears).
2. Press `K` to go up, or `J` to go down.
3. The cell physically moves in the notebook layout.
Would you like a quick-reference Markdown cell with common shortcuts added to your notebook?
Author: user
are your notes related to an application other than Visual Studio Code?
Author: ChatGPT
Great question. Yes ??? my previous notes apply to:
- **Jupyter Notebook (Classic)**
- **JupyterLab (web-based)**
- **Jupyter running in the browser (e.g., from Anaconda or directly via `jupyter notebook`)**
But since you're using **Visual Studio Code (VS Code)** with Jupyter, here???s how it works specifically in that environment:
---
### ??? Moving Cells in **VS Code's Jupyter Interface**
#### ??? Method 1: Toolbar Icons
Each cell in VS Code has **up/down arrows** on the **left margin** when you hover over it:
- ???? Move cell up
- ???? Move cell down
Just click them to reposition the cell.
---
#### ??? Method 2: Keyboard Shortcuts in VS Code
| Shortcut | Action |
|----------|--------|
| `Alt` + `???` | Move cell **up** |
| `Alt` + `???` | Move cell **down** |
These are the **default VS Code keyboard shortcuts**, not Jupyter-specific ones.
---
#### ???? Bonus Tip
- You can **drag cells** vertically as well by clicking and dragging the cell???s top border in the left gutter.
- You can also **split** or **merge** cells using the lightbulb (????) suggestions that appear when a cell is selected.
Would you like a VS Code???specific cheat sheet cell added to your notebook for future reference?
Author: user
so in testing the command below, i see my scripts often contain GO statements, and thus they get an error. can we add logic to the run_tsql_script function to split the file by "GO" statements and execute them in the correct order from within the file
Author: ChatGPT
Absolutely ??? that's a common and important need when executing SQL Server scripts outside of SSMS. The `GO` keyword is **not a T-SQL command**, but a batch separator used by tools like SSMS and SQLCMD. If you try to run a script with `GO` directly via `pyodbc`, you'll get an error like `('42000', '&#91;42000] &#91;Microsoft]&#91;ODBC SQL Server Driver]&#91;SQL Server]Incorrect syntax near \'GO\'')`.
We can solve this by **splitting the script manually on `GO`**, then executing each batch individually.
---
### ??? Updated `run_tsql_script` Function
This version:
- Reads the file
- Splits it on lines containing only `GO` (case-insensitive, optional whitespace)
- Executes each batch one by one
- Skips empty segments
- Handles exceptions gracefully
```python
import re
def run_tsql_script(server, script_path):
with open(script_path, 'r') as f:
script = f.read()
# Split on lines containing only GO (case-insensitive)
batches = re.split(r'^\s*GO\s*$', script, flags=re.MULTILINE | re.IGNORECASE)
conn_str = f"DRIVER={{ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server}};SERVER={server};Trusted_Connection=yes;"
with pyodbc.connect(conn_str) as conn:
cursor = conn.cursor()
for i, batch in enumerate(batches, start=1):
sql = batch.strip()
if not sql:
continue # skip empty batch
try:
print(f"\n-- Executing batch {i} --")
cursor.execute(sql)
try:
rows = cursor.fetchall()
for row in rows:
print(row)
except pyodbc.ProgrammingError:
# No result set
pass
conn.commit()
except Exception as e:
print(f"??? Error in batch {i}: {e}")
```
---
### ???? Example Script (`sample.sql`)
```sql
SELECT name FROM sys.databases;
GO
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM sys.objects;
GO
```
It would run both batches independently.
---
Would you like me to update the `.ipynb` file you downloaded earlier to include this improved function?
Author: user
when running the scripts, i get erros, but the print message is not allowing me to see which script had the error, as it is in a stack of 12 run_tsql_script calls. can we modify the print(f"\n-- Executing batch {i} --") command to include the filename
Author: ChatGPT
Yes ??? great idea. Including the filename in the batch execution message is essential when you're running multiple scripts, especially if any of them fail.
Here???s the improved line, with the filename added:
---
### ??? Updated Line
Replace:
```python
print(f"\n-- Executing batch {i} --")
```
With:
```python
print(f"\n-- Executing batch {i} in file: {Path(script_path).name} --")
```
---
### ??? Full Updated Function
```python
import re
from pathlib import Path
def run_tsql_script(server, script_path):
with open(script_path, 'r') as f:
script = f.read()
batches = re.split(r'^\s*GO\s*$', script, flags=re.MULTILINE | re.IGNORECASE)
conn_str = f"DRIVER={{ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server}};SERVER={server};Trusted_Connection=yes;"
with pyodbc.connect(conn_str) as conn:
cursor = conn.cursor()
for i, batch in enumerate(batches, start=1):
sql = batch.strip()
if not sql:
continue
try:
print(f"\n-- Executing batch {i} in file: {Path(script_path).name} --")
cursor.execute(sql)
try:
rows = cursor.fetchall()
for row in rows:
print(row)
except pyodbc.ProgrammingError:
pass
conn.commit()
except Exception as e:
print(f"??? Error in batch {i} of file {Path(script_path).name}: {e}")
```
---
Would you like me to regenerate the notebook file with this new version included?
Author: user
i need to install some modules for SQLServer and dbatools. how can i make sure it executes as administrator?
Author: ChatGPT
To ensure your PowerShell script (`sqlserver_and_dbatools_prerequisites.ps1`) runs **as Administrator**???especially for installing modules like `SqlServer` and `dbatools`???you'll want to take one of the following approaches, since **Jupyter itself doesn't elevate permissions**, and Python's `subprocess` doesn't bypass UAC prompts.
---
### ??? Option 1: Manually Run the Script as Administrator
1. Open **PowerShell as Administrator** manually:
- Press `Win`
- Type `powershell`
- Right-click ??? **Run as administrator**
2. Then run the script directly:
```powershell
Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Force
. "C:\Path\To\sqlserver_and_dbatools_prerequisites.ps1"
```
---
### ??? Option 2: Use a Self-Elevating PowerShell Stub (Advanced)
You can wrap your script in a **self-elevating bootstrap** that will relaunch itself with Admin rights.
Here???s a wrapper you can prepend or call separately:
```powershell
# elevate_and_run.ps1
$script = "C:\Path\To\sqlserver_and_dbatools_prerequisites.ps1"
if (-not (&#91;Security.Principal.WindowsPrincipal] &#91;Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent()).IsInRole(`
&#91;Security.Principal.WindowsBuiltInRole] "Administrator"))
{
Start-Process powershell.exe "-NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File `"$script`"" -Verb RunAs
exit
}
# You are now running as Administrator
& $script
```
---
### ?????? Within Jupyter Notebook
If you're trying to execute from the notebook and get errors like `Access denied` or `Install-Module requires admin rights`, it???s best to:
- **Detect elevation**, and if not elevated, print a warning
- Provide the user instructions or launch the elevation script separately
---
### ???? Jupyter Notebook Integration Snippet (Non-Elevating)
```python
import subprocess
ps_script = r"C:\Path\To\sqlserver_and_dbatools_prerequisites.ps1"
result = subprocess.run(&#91;
"powershell.exe",
"-ExecutionPolicy", "Bypass",
"-File", ps_script
], capture_output=True, text=True)
print(result.stdout)
if result.stderr:
print("ERROR:", result.stderr)
```
This will **only work** if Jupyter was launched from an **elevated terminal** (e.g., VS Code or Anaconda Prompt running as Administrator).
---
Would you like me to inject the self-elevating logic into your `.ps1` file for safety?
Author: user
yes please
Author: ChatGPT
??? Done! Your self-elevating PowerShell script is ready:
&#91;Download sqlserver_and_dbatools_prerequisites_elevated.ps1](sandbox:/mnt/data/sqlserver_and_dbatools_prerequisites_elevated.ps1)
When run, it will detect if it's **not running as Administrator**, and re-launch itself with elevated privileges.
Let me know if you???d like this logic modularized for reuse in other scripts.
Author: user
i think the script might be stuck waiting for a confirmation like yes or yes to all. can you review the script and offer the correct parameters for not prompting for that?
Author: ChatGPT
{"queries": &#91;"check for Install-Module confirmation prompts", "how to prevent confirmation prompts in Install-Module", "does Install-Module require -Force or -Confirm:$false", "how to install dbatools without prompt", "how to install SqlServer module silently"]}
Author: ChatGPT
No search results matched your queries.
Author: ChatGPT
Thanks ??? the file didn't contain any lines directly readable by the tool, but I can still help based on what commonly causes this issue.
### ??????? Problem
PowerShell's `Install-Module` often prompts for confirmation in these cases:
- Installing from an untrusted repository (e.g., PSGallery)
- Overwriting an existing module
- When `-Confirm:$false` or `-Force` is not specified
---
### ??? Recommended Parameters for Silent Installation
Use this syntax to avoid all prompts:
```powershell
Install-Module -Name SqlServer -Scope AllUsers -Force -Confirm:$false
Install-Module -Name dbatools -Scope AllUsers -Force -Confirm:$false
```
> ???? If the repository is untrusted, you also need to trust it first.
Add this line **before** `Install-Module`:
```powershell
Set-PSRepository -Name "PSGallery" -InstallationPolicy Trusted
```
---
### ??? Full Example for Your Script
```powershell
# Set PSGallery to trusted to avoid prompts
Set-PSRepository -Name "PSGallery" -InstallationPolicy Trusted
# Install modules without confirmation prompts
Install-Module -Name SqlServer -Scope AllUsers -Force -Confirm:$false
Install-Module -Name dbatools -Scope AllUsers -Force -Confirm:$false
```
---
Would you like me to inject these fixes into your elevated script and give you a cleaned-up version to download?
Author: user
so we would change this line: Install-Module -Name $ModuleName -Force -AllowClobber -SkipPublisherCheck to Install-Module -Name $ModuleName -Force -AllowClobber -SkipPublisherCheck -Confirm:$false ?
Author: ChatGPT
Yes, exactly ??? that's the correct and complete change.
---
### ??? Updated Line:
```powershell
Install-Module -Name $ModuleName -Force -AllowClobber -SkipPublisherCheck -Confirm:$false
```
---
### ???? What Each Parameter Does:
| Parameter | Purpose |
|-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `-Force` | Bypass prompts about version replacement or already-installed modules |
| `-AllowClobber` | Allows overwriting existing commands with the same name |
| `-SkipPublisherCheck`| Skips checking the module's publisher certificate |
| `-Confirm:$false` | Prevents PowerShell from prompting for confirmation |
> ?????? `-SkipPublisherCheck` is generally safe for known modules like `dbatools` or `SqlServer` from PSGallery, but use caution in untrusted environments.
---
Would you like me to inject this fix into your `sqlserver_and_dbatools_prerequisites_elevated.ps1` file and regenerate the script?
Author: user
please help me modify this script i typically execute in PowerShellISE, to be parameterized to pass the ServerName, so we can call it via the function you helped me with and pass the parameter of the run_powershell_script function
Author: ChatGPT
??? Your script has been updated to accept a `ServerName` parameter and now uses it for `-ServerInstance`.
You can &#91;download it here](sandbox:/mnt/data/Create-dbDocumentation-Param.ps1).
Now you can call it from your Jupyter notebook like this:
```python
run_powershell_script("scripts/powershell/Create-dbDocumentation-Param.ps1", computer_name="YourServerName")
```
Let me know if you want to pass other parameters like database name or output path as well.
Author: user
the powershell has a parameter of $ServerName. shouldn't the python call be something like run_powershell_script("scripts/powershell/Create-dbDocumentation-Param.ps1", ServerName "YourServerName")
Author: ChatGPT
You're absolutely right to clarify ??? and yes, **since the PowerShell script itself now expects a named parameter `$ServerName`**, the Python function should pass that as a named argument.
But the current `run_powershell_script()` function you???re using just appends one string (`-ComputerName`) and doesn't support named parameters like `-ServerName`.
---
### ??? Updated Python Function to Support Named Parameters
Here???s an updated version that lets you pass **named PowerShell parameters** as a dictionary:
```python
def run_powershell_script(script_path, ps_params=None):
cmd = &#91;"powershell.exe", "-ExecutionPolicy", "Bypass", "-File", str(script_path)]
# Append named parameters if provided
if ps_params:
for key, value in ps_params.items():
cmd.append(f"-{key}")
cmd.append(str(value))
result = subprocess.run(cmd, capture_output=True, text=True)
print(result.stdout)
if result.stderr:
print("ERROR:", result.stderr)
```
---
### ??? Then Call It Like This
```python
run_powershell_script(
"scripts/powershell/Create-dbDocumentation-Param.ps1",
ps_params={"ServerName": "MyTargetServer"}
)
```
This lets you cleanly pass any number of named parameters like `ServerName`, `Database`, `OutputFolder`, etc.
Would you like me to regenerate your notebook with this improved function?
Author: user
i don't see how "myTargetServer" is parameterized to use the variable we declared previously? should it be run_powershell_script(
"scripts/powershell/Create-dbDocumentation-Param.ps1",
ps_params={"ServerName": target_ps_computer}
)
Author: ChatGPT
Exactly ??? you're spot on. ????
If you???ve already declared the target server earlier in the notebook like this:
```python
target_ps_computer = "MyTargetServer"
```
Then the correct call to your PowerShell script should use that variable:
```python
run_powershell_script(
"scripts/powershell/Create-dbDocumentation-Param.ps1",
ps_params={"ServerName": target_ps_computer}
)
```
This ensures the value is passed dynamically from the notebook???s context, which is ideal for reusability and parameterization.
Would you like a cell added to the notebook that includes this exact pattern as a working example?
Author: user
so i modified the Create-dbDocumantetion-Param.ps1 file to not assign values within the script, and added a second parameter like this param (
&#91;string]$ServerName = "localhost",
&#91;string]$OutputDirectory = "C:\Data"
) would the python call look like this?: run_powershell_script(
"scripts/powershell/Create-dbDocumentation-Param.ps1",
ps_params={"ServerName": target_ps_computer,"OutputDirectory":target_output_directory}
)
Author: ChatGPT
Yes ??? that???s exactly right. ???
Given your updated PowerShell parameter block:
```powershell
param (
&#91;string]$ServerName = "localhost",
&#91;string]$OutputDirectory = "C:\Data"
)
```
And your Python variables:
```python
target_ps_computer = "MyServer"
target_output_directory = "C:\\Reports\\SQLDocs"
```
Then the Python call should be:
```python
run_powershell_script(
"scripts/powershell/Create-dbDocumentation-Param.ps1",
ps_params={
"ServerName": target_ps_computer,
"OutputDirectory": target_output_directory
}
)
```
???? Just remember:
- Paths should be double-escaped (`\\`) or raw strings (`r"C:\Path"`) in Python.
- The updated `run_powershell_script()` function (with `ps_params`) must be in place.
Would you like me to update and re-export the notebook to reflect all of these enhancements?
Author: user
right now, the definition for the variable is target_output_directory = "output", but i want the actual path to be calculated as a sub folder under the current scripts current location in python
Author: ChatGPT
Perfect ??? you can dynamically calculate the `output` folder path as a subdirectory of the script (or notebook) location using Python's `Path` object from `pathlib`.
Here's how you can set that up:
---
### ??? Dynamically Set `target_output_directory` Relative to the Notebook
```python
from pathlib import Path
# Get the current notebook directory
notebook_dir = Path.cwd()
# Define 'output' folder as a subdirectory
target_output_directory = str(notebook_dir / "output")
```
> ???? This gives you something like:
> `C:\Users\YourName\Documents\JupyterProjects\SQL_Server_Audit\output`
---
### ??? Use it in Your PowerShell Call
```python
run_powershell_script(
"scripts/powershell/Create-dbDocumentation-Param.ps1",
ps_params={
"ServerName": target_ps_computer,
"OutputDirectory": target_output_directory
}
)
```
---
Would you like me to update your `.ipynb` with these final changes and re-export it for you?
Author: user
my powershell scripts often have Write-Host statements in them. will those appear in the Terminal or Output windows in VSCode
Author: ChatGPT
Yes ??? `Write-Host` output **will appear in the terminal or output pane in VS Code**, but where it appears depends on **how the script is being executed**:
---
### ??? When Run in **VS Code's Terminal or PowerShell ISE Mode**
If you **run the script manually** using:
```powershell
.\your_script.ps1
```
Or use the Run button at the top of the script in the **PowerShell extension**:
- `Write-Host` will output directly in the **TERMINAL** pane.
---
### ??? When Run from **Jupyter Notebook via `subprocess`**
If you're using the notebook function like this:
```python
result = subprocess.run(&#91;...], capture_output=True, text=True)
print(result.stdout)
```
- `Write-Host` output is captured in `stdout` and **will appear in the Jupyter cell output** when printed.
- You need to explicitly print `result.stdout` like you're doing now.
---
### ?????? Caveat: `Write-Output` vs `Write-Host`
- `Write-Host` writes **directly to the host UI** (ideal for colored or formatted user messages).
- `Write-Output` writes to the pipeline ??? better if you're passing output between functions or scripts.
In `subprocess`, both `Write-Host` and `Write-Output` messages go to `stdout`, but structured output (like returning objects) is better with `Write-Output`.
---
### Summary
| Method | `Write-Host` Output Visible? | Where it Appears |
|-----------------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Manual Run in VS Code Terminal | ??? | Terminal |
| Run via Python `subprocess` | ??? | Captured in `stdout` (print) |
| Run in PowerShell ISE | ??? | Console output |
Let me know if you???d like to redirect `Write-Host` to logs or files for better debugging in Jupyter!
Author: user
ok lots of progress so far, i get a minor error: ERROR: ???????Clear-Host : The term '???????Clear-Host' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable
program. Check the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again.
At G:\My Drive\_Data\Notebooks\scripts\powershell\Create-dbDocumentation-Param.ps1:6 char:1
Author: ChatGPT
Great progress ??? and that error is a helpful catch. What you're seeing is likely due to **weird encoding artifacts** in the script file ??? particularly the `???????` prefix before `Clear-Host`.
---
### ???? Root Cause
The strange characters (`???????`) suggest that the script file was saved with:
- **Non-UTF8 encoding**, like UTF-16 LE with BOM
- Possibly copied from a Word doc or Google Drive with special formatting
PowerShell and Python will misinterpret that encoding, especially if the first few bytes aren't pure ASCII.
---
### ??? Solution: Re-save the Script with UTF-8 Encoding
Here???s how to fix it:
#### ???? In VS Code:
1. Open the `.ps1` file in VS Code.
2. Look at the bottom-right corner of the window ??? it probably says **"UTF-16 LE"** or similar.
3. Click it, then choose:
- **"Save with Encoding" ??? "UTF-8"**
4. Save the file.
#### ???? OR in PowerShell (force-rewrite):
You can rewrite it from within PowerShell like this:
```powershell
Get-Content .\Create-dbDocumentation-Param.ps1 | Set-Content -Encoding UTF8 .\Create-dbDocumentation-Param-fixed.ps1
```
Then update your Python or Jupyter call to use the `-fixed.ps1` file.
---
### ??? Optional Cleanup
After that, check line 6 and remove or retype `Clear-Host` manually if needed. Sometimes even the command gets corrupted due to the encoding.
---
Would you like me to clean up and re-encode the file for you automatically here?
Author: user
for this execution call, i don't understand how the script is determinging the full path of the powershell file. it's implied as a path to the current script, i guess? run_powershell_script(
"scripts/powershell/Create-dbDocumentation-Param.ps1",
ps_params={"ServerName": target_ps_computer,"OutputDirectory":target_output_directory}
)
Author: ChatGPT
Excellent question ??? let's break it down.
You're passing a **relative path**:
```python
"scripts/powershell/Create-dbDocumentation-Param.ps1"
```
This path is **relative to the current working directory of the Jupyter kernel**, which by default is:
```python
import os
print(os.getcwd())
```
In VS Code with a Jupyter notebook open, this is typically the **folder where the notebook itself is located**.
---
### ??? So What???s Happening Internally?
When you run:
```python
run_powershell_script(
"scripts/powershell/Create-dbDocumentation-Param.ps1",
ps_params={...}
)
```
Python translates that to something like:
```bash
powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File scripts/powershell/Create-dbDocumentation-Param.ps1 ...
```
And that works **because** `scripts/powershell/...` is resolvable **relative to the notebook directory** (i.e., where the kernel was started).
---
### ???? Best Practice: Use `Path.cwd()` to Ensure It???s Absolute
If you're worried about ambiguity or ever plan to run from another directory, use:
```python
from pathlib import Path
script_path = Path.cwd() / "scripts" / "powershell" / "Create-dbDocumentation-Param.ps1"
run_powershell_script(
str(script_path),
ps_params={"ServerName": target_ps_computer, "OutputDirectory": target_output_directory}
)
```
This ensures you're explicitly resolving the full path, making your notebook portable and less prone to working-directory issues.
---
Would you like me to modify the `run_powershell_script()` function to always convert relative paths to absolute behind the scenes?
Author: user
no thank you. i need to work through the script not working yet.
Author: ChatGPT
Got it ??? focusing on the script behavior makes sense.
Since you're debugging a PowerShell script run from Jupyter, here are a few **targeted suggestions to help identify what???s going wrong**:
---
### ??? 1. **Print the Full Command Being Run**
Modify your Python function to temporarily print the exact command sent to `subprocess`:
```python
def run_powershell_script(script_path, ps_params=None):
from subprocess import run
import shlex
cmd = &#91;"powershell.exe", "-ExecutionPolicy", "Bypass", "-File", str(script_path)]
if ps_params:
for key, value in ps_params.items():
cmd.append(f"-{key}")
cmd.append(str(value))
print("\n???? Running PowerShell command:")
print(" ".join(shlex.quote(arg) for arg in cmd)) # safer output
print()
result = run(cmd, capture_output=True, text=True)
print(result.stdout)
if result.stderr:
print("??? ERROR:", result.stderr)
```
This lets you copy/paste the exact command into a regular PowerShell window to test it interactively.
---
### ??? 2. **Check Encoding and Clean Characters**
You've already spotted the `???????Clear-Host` corruption ??? this suggests bad encoding. You should:
- **Clean and resave the `.ps1` script** in UTF-8 (as discussed above)
- Re-run the cleaned version from a regular PowerShell window first
---
### ??? 3. **Add Debug Output in the Script**
Inside your PowerShell script, temporarily add:
```powershell
Write-Host "DEBUG: ServerName = $ServerName"
Write-Host "DEBUG: OutputDirectory = $OutputDirectory"
```
So you know the values are reaching the script from Python.
---
### ??? 4. **Test Minimal Call Outside Notebook**
Try running the generated command directly in PowerShell:
```powershell
powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "scripts\powershell\Create-dbDocumentation-Param.ps1" -ServerName MyServer -OutputDirectory C:\Temp\Output
```
This helps isolate the script from Python-specific issues.
---
Once you're past the encoding and parameter issues, the rest should fall into place. Would it help if I looked inside the actual content of the script now to see where it might still be blocking or misbehaving?
Author: user
i found that our original value for the variable target_ps_computer was localhost, when i changedit to the actual computername, it is working
Author: ChatGPT
That???s excellent progress ??? great debugging! ????
Yes, when `target_ps_computer = "localhost"`:
- It may **default to the local context**, which can break things if the script internally calls out to SQL Server or remote modules that expect a fully qualified computer name or instance.
- Especially if you're working with `Invoke-Sqlcmd`, `Get-Service`, or `Get-EventLog`, the wrong `localhost` assumption can lead to silent failures or vague errors.
---
### ??? Now That It???s Working
You might consider:
1. **Auto-detecting the hostname** if none is provided:
```python
import socket
target_ps_computer = socket.gethostname()
```
2. **Explicitly logging the resolved computer name and script path** in both Python and PowerShell for transparency.
3. **Adding a validation step in PowerShell**:
```powershell
if (-not (Test-Connection -ComputerName $ServerName -Count 1 -Quiet)) {
Write-Host "??? Cannot reach $ServerName"
exit 1
}
```
---
Would you like help wrapping this all into a portable, reusable notebook template?
Author: user
how can i assign it to socket.gethostname if target_ps_computer = ""
Author: ChatGPT
You can easily assign `socket.gethostname()` **only if** `target_ps_computer` is empty (`""`) using a simple conditional.
---
### ??? Recommended Code
```python
import socket
if not target_ps_computer:
target_ps_computer = socket.gethostname()
```
---
### ???? Why This Works
- `if not target_ps_computer` covers:
- `""` (empty string)
- `None`
- Any other falsy value
- `socket.gethostname()` returns the **machine???s network name**, e.g., `"MyLaptop123"`
---
### Example Combined
```python
import socket
target_ps_computer = "" # or pull from config file
if not target_ps_computer:
target_ps_computer = socket.gethostname()
print("Using computer name:", target_ps_computer)
```
Let me know if you'd also like to resolve the **FQDN** or IP address instead.