How is this any different than a Linux setup where you can just ssh into a box and edit your scripts in the shell using something like nano or vim if you're into that sort of thing?
Put pwsh on linux (I do, in all of them) and I will use ssh and vim no problem.
But you are missing a point here. It's about the language, ecosystem and practicality. In shell, you need correct abstraction that lets you work in fast and efficient way and lets you interact fast when debug is needed. What is done using c# in 10 lines can be done in a single line in pwsh. In my book, lower amount of code, ideally no code, is the most important aspect of the development. Majority of things are not constrained by the performance, so pwsh is usually a good fit.
People used ruby, python etc. for infrastructure development long time ago and it was/is akward.
Mostly, yes. The problem is that the moment I need something more than what a single cmdlet or bash utility can provide, now I have to use an awkward looking scripting language (bash is the worst offender here). Almost every time I found myself having to write a somewhat long script file, I wish I could just do it with a C like language instead.
For simpler tasks, I fully agree. It is better to use something immediately available like an OS shell utility over coding one myself.
Example: https://github.com/majkinetor/SSImport
That script made noticeable difference in speed, quality and pleasure on our recent project (production tests on payment gateway for half of the country) as before I wrote it, devs did it by hand which took 10s of minutes every day with awkward tools (if they made an error, even more) and they complained about the chore. The script literarry replaces entire feature of the Sql Server Management Studio and I did it during the weekend.
Regarding syntax, not sure why would you consider that awkward. IMO, it can't be easier to read in any language, both configuration and code.
> Regarding syntax, not sure why would you consider that awkward
This is more true with Bash than Powershell. However, this is the same with programming languages in general. There are those who look at Julia's syntax and think it's absolutely beautiful and those who consider it to be absolutely bad and prefer Visual Basic.
I love it like it is the hottest wife that have a great job, do the dishes and cooks like a grandma (I am bad at this :))