SQL Server 2008 and PowerShell

SQL Server 2008 now has support for PowerShell.

SQL Server provides two PowerShell snap-ins that implement:

* A SQL Server provider, which enables a simple navigation mechanism similar to file system paths. You can build paths similar to file system paths, where the drive is associated with a SQL Server management object model, and the nodes are based on the object model classes. You can then use familiar commands such as cd and dir to navigate the paths similar to the way you navigate folders in a command prompt window. You can use other commands, such as ren or del, to perform actions on the nodes in the path.

* A set of cmdlets, which are commands used in PowerShell scripts to specify a SQL Server action. The SQL Server cmdlets support actions such as running a sqlcmd script containing Transact-SQL or XQuery statements.

Resources:
SQL Server PowerShell Overview

Pre-written Powershell scripts for SQL Server Management