Is there a difference between scripting and automation. According to Dan http://blogs.msdn.com/dtjones/archive/2008/11/23/scripting-dba-actions.aspx the answer is yes. Scripting means you perform a task programmatically using a scripting language (PowerShell I hope). Automation means that the script is automatically initiated as a scheduled task or a SQL Server job etc.
A quick search shows a number of definitions for automation:
"The replacement of manual operations by computerized methods."
"The automatic operation or control of equipment, a process, or a system."
"a system in which a workplace or process has been converted to one that replaces or minimizes human labor with mechanical or electronic equipment"
I would argue that there is a spectrum of activity ranging over:
- perform task manually (GUI or command line)
- script task
- run script automatically
Creating 7000 users and mailboxes in AD\Exchange is something you would do with a script. Would you have that script automatically initiated – I don’t think so. But I would argue that you are still automating that task. The machine is doing the work – quicker and potentially (hopefully) more accurately.
My stance is that scripting is automation and whether you run the script manually or automatically in response to a task you are still automating.
There are some useful guidelines on scripting in the post that are applicable to any language.

