Azure & DevOps Podcast

John Bristowe brings over 20 years of experience in technology to his role as Community Director at Octopus Deploy. His career includes time at Progress and Microsoft, where he developed his skills in management and technology. Known for a straightforward and engaging style, John often speaks at industry conferences, sharing practical tips and insights. John is a HashiCorp Ambassador and part of the Progress Champions program.   He enjoys creating content such as articles, webinars, and podcasts, aiming to help others in the tech community. In his free time, John likes to stay informed about the latest tech developments and shares his learning with an online audience. His approach is always about sharing knowledge and learning together.   Topics of Discussion: [2:47] John shares his career journey, starting at Microsoft in 2005, and his involvement in developer evangelism. [4:03] The evolution of Octopus Deploy, from an open-source project to a commercial tool. [5:47] The importance of setting up deployment pipelines and the challenges of deploying on weekends due to brittle pipelines. [6:36] Check out the Octopus Deploy roadmap for updates on new features and innovations. [9:04] The potential of AI in the deployment space and the importance of maintaining a balance between AI and human involvement. [10:46] More about Codefresh. [11:23] The integration of AI capabilities in Octopus Deploy, including the AI assistant. [15:17] Designer Experience vs. Text-Based Workflows. [24:43] Common use cases for runbooks, including server maintenance, database management, and cost management in Kubernetes. [26:22] The importance of automated health checks and runbooks for ensuring reliable and cost-effective deployments. [29:58] Platform Hub and Enterprise Scalability.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Octopus Deploy Codefresh   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Mads is a Principal Product Manager on the Visual Studio team at Microsoft, where he champions developer productivity, performance, and extensibility. With a deep passion for streamlining the development experience, Mads has created dozens of widely used Visual Studio extensions — including Web Essentials, File Nesting, and Markdown Editor v2 — and maintains the Extensibility Essentials toolkit to empower other developers to build better tools. Mads brings over a decade of experience in web development on the Microsoft platform. He is also the founder of SchemaStore.org and a home automation enthusiast. Known for his engaging presentations and hands-on insights, Mads is a frequent speaker at developer conferences worldwide. He lives in the Pacific Northwest and his mission is simple: to make Visual Studio the most delightful development environment on the planet.   Topics of Discussion: [2:38] More about Mads’ career journey at Microsoft. [5:14] The new and improved Visual Studio. [7:44] Backwards compatibility is a key feature — .NET solutions will still work across different Visual Studio versions. [8:55] How Microsoft’s strategy differentiates between Visual Studio and VS Code. [10:42] Visual Studio is the premier development environment for .NET and C# on Windows, offering the most comprehensive and optimized experience. While VS Code can handle .NET development, it’s not as feature-rich or performant as the full Visual Studio. [12:58] Visual Studio has moved to a monthly release cadence to be more competitive with VS Code’s frequent updates. [13:48] Deep AI integration in Visual Studio allows for context-aware assistance, including a new profiler agent that can help optimize code performance. [23:53] Compilation performance is improved in Visual Studio 2026. [26:35] The new profiler agent can be invoked through Copilot chat, running benchmarks and suggesting performance improvements scientifically. [30:30] Developers can create custom MCP servers to integrate private systems and databases with AI tools using a project template. [35:39] The AI coding agent in Visual Studio can work autonomously or with developer supervision, creating pull requests or working alongside the developer. [39:11] Visual Studio’s Copilot can be used as a companion to bounce ideas off, helping with architectural decisions and new feature explorations.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Mads Kristensen on LinkedIn @mkristensen on X Mads Kristensen JSON Schema Store Visual Studio   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Brad Frazer is a Boise-based attorney and partner at Hawley Troxell, Idaho’s largest law firm, where he leads the Intellectual Property & Internet practice group with a specific focus in IP Strategy, AI, Data Security, and IT. A graduate of BYU, UC Hastings, and the University of Utah, Brad has decades of experience in cybersecurity, internet law, and IP, including roles as Deputy General Counsel at major tech firms. He’s also a published novelist and a recognized expert in emerging technologies like blockchain, NFTs, and Web3.   Richard Hundhausen helps software organizations and teams deliver better products by understanding and leveraging Azure DevOps and Scrum. He is a Professional Scrum Trainer and author of Professional Scrum with Azure DevOps (MS Press). As a software developer and consultant with over 30 years of experience, he understands that software is built and delivered by people and not by processes or tools.   Topics of Discussion: [2:24] Richard and Brad share their enthusiasm for AI, and they discuss the legal implications of using AI-generated code. [4:00] Brad explains that ownership of AI-generated code is academic until legal issues arise, such as lawsuits or investment rounds. [5:29] Richard explains the process of using AI tools to create code, emphasizing the iterative nature of the process. [8:02] The nuances of copyright law, including the need for human authorship to establish ownership. [10:57] How one gets a registered copyright. [14:19] The different things that AI-driven development can mean. [19:44] Risk avoidance practices as a coder. [23:46] Brad advises software developers to be aware of the legal environment and the potential risks of using AI tools. [24:59] What is an AI output, and what is just the computer being helpful? [32:35] Brad shares a real-world example of a $20 million deal where the seller did not own the code, highlighting the potential risks. [38:38] Brad mentions the Anthropic case, where the company was sued for training its LLM on copyrighted material. [41:22] Richard and Brad discuss the importance of raising awareness and providing resources to help developers understand the legal implications of using AI tools.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Brad Frazer LinkedIn Richard Hundhausen LinkedIn Thaler vs. Perlmutter Bartz v. Anthropic Who Owns the Code?   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Tony Cardella is a seasoned software engineer based in Houston, Texas. With a robust background in enterprise development, Tony brings deep expertise in the .NET Framework (C#), Python, and cloud platforms including Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services. His technical repertoire spans both relational databases — such as SQL Server, MySQL, and PostgreSQL — and NoSQL solutions like Azure Cosmos DB.   Tony is a strong advocate for developer productivity tools, frequently leveraging JetBrains products including ReSharper, DataGrip, PyCharm, and Rider, as well as Visual Studio. Outside the world of code, Tony is equally passionate about strength training, whether he’s lifting weights himself or coaching others in the discipline.   Topics of Discussion: [1:34] Tony shares his career journey, starting with a consulting company that reached out to him while he was job hunting. [3:17] NCrunch is an automated testing tool that runs unit tests continuously, focusing on impacted tests. [5:08] Challenges and benefits of NCrunch, and why would we need to use it? [7:44] Tony shares his approach to unit testing, focusing on covering 80% of the code with minimal effort and addressing the remaining 20% as needed. [8:51] The importance of not over-investing in unit tests that may not provide significant value. [11:47] Tony explains how Ncrunch provides code coverage metrics and visual indicators of covered and uncovered code. [12:59] The tool’s ability to show exactly where unit tests are failing, without needing to dive into stack traces. [13:51] Distributed processing and integration tests. [27:44] The challenges of running integration tests with external dependencies, such as databases. [29:18] Exploratory testing and code quality. [32:34] Tony emphasizes the value of unit tests in codifying tribal knowledge and ensuring code quality.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Tony Cardella Lightning Talks! The Code Gorilla Survey: Fixing Bugs Stealing Time from Development NCrunch   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Today’s guest is Jon Peppers, Principal Software Engineer on the .NET MAUI team at Microsoft. Before building developer tools, Jonathan was a Xamarin MVP and the lead developer behind various cross-platform Maui apps. With a deep background in C#, from WPF-based self-checkout systems to home automation software featured on Extreme Home Makeover, Jonathan brings a wealth of experience in both app development and the frameworks that power them.   Topics of Discussion: [1:59] Jonathan recounts his first job after college, working on C# for self-checkout software and migrating to WPF. [4:40] How much on the continuum are we right now with Copilot agent mode? [7:11]  The process of setting up Maui development, including installing Visual Studio and the Maui workload. [12:40] Using Copilot for multi-language debugging. [18:42]  Copilot's effectiveness in deleting unnecessary files and finding errors in string localization files. [19:10] Copilot coding agent. [21:20] The process of assigning issues to Copilot, which creates a branch, opens a pull request, and updates the description with its plan. [27:36]  The availability of different models in VS Code, including Claude and GPT, and the anticipation of new models being released. [31:36] The potential for using LLMs on-device for privacy concerns, especially in healthcare. [35:01] Jonathan encourages developers to try Copilot in their IDEs and explore its code completions and suggestions. [35:17] Jonathan’s Cat Swipe dating site!   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum How the .NET Maui Team uses GitHub Copilot for Productivity Jonathan on LinkedIn Jonathan Peppers   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.  

Micah Martin is a co-founder, CEO, and Studio Director for Clean Coders. He’s a 2nd-generation coder, serial entrepreneur, family man, pilot, airplane builder, engineer, author, and just a normal guy trying to enjoy life to the fullest.   He is also a co-author of Agile Principles, Patterns, and Practices in C#, along with his father, Robert C. Martin, also known as Uncle Bob, and a contributor to the popular testing framework FitNesse, among other things.   Topics of Discussion: [1:52] Micah talks about early influences from his father, Uncle Bob, including childhood “robot” games and learning to code on a Commodore 64 and the first Macintosh. [3:47] First job working alongside industry legends like Kent Beck and Ward Cunningham, and the humbling realization that college hadn’t prepared him to build real software. [5:00] Founding Clean Coders to distribute training videos and later expanding into custom software development with Clean Coders Studio. [6:54] Why apprenticeship is key to developing strong software engineers and how Pete McBreen’s Software Craftsmanship influenced his approach. [8:20] Parallels between martial arts training under a sensei and learning software from a master craftsman. [11:23] How Clean Coders apprentices learn new languages like Clojure through Project Euler challenges and Koans, and why maintaining and extending code is essential training. [15:13] The origins and purpose of FitNesse, acceptance testing, and the need for a modern replacement. [18:43] The gap in tooling for non-programmers to write executable tests, and AI’s potential role in bridging it. [20:35] The role of bullet-point test scenarios in developer/customer collaboration. [21:07] The decline of Agile’s technical focus and the creation of the Software Craftsmanship Manifesto at a summit in Libertyville, IL. [25:29] Carrying forward the Clean Code discipline in both training and client projects. [27:11] Plans to offer a digital apprenticeship experience through CleanCoders.com. [28:17] How Micah uses AI for algorithms, test data generation, and client projects, plus its current limitations. [36:37] Lessons from aviation autopilot systems and why humans remain essential in software development.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Agile Principals, Patterns, and Practices in C# Clean Coders   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.  

Burke Holland is a Principal Developer Advocate at Microsoft who leads the Developer Tools Advocacy team. He’s done so much in developer tools, like growing VS Code from 6M to 40M+ users. He’s a frequent speaker at conferences like Microsoft Build, Ignite, GitHub Universe, QCon, and VS Code Day, which he helped create. He’s led many product launches for GitHub Copilot, Codespaces, and more. He has a very popular YouTube channel talking about developer tech.   Topics of Discussion: [3:33] Burke describes his transition from being a good developer to an evangelist, inspired by a Visual Studio evangelist he met. [6:27] The rapid pace of change in the software development world compared to other industries. [9:22] AI-driven development and the various modes available in VS Code, including ask mode, edit mode, and agent mode. [15:41] Burke describes the current moment in AI developer tooling — no one really knows yet what the end product is supposed to be. Everyone agrees AI will help developers, but exactly how is still being figured out. [16:39] What are the right questions to ask AI? [17:41] The importance of providing the AI with the right context to ensure accurate and efficient development. [25:05] AI’s unpredictability makes it difficult to rely on it for consistent development tasks, which is frustrating and foreign to most developers. [32:18] Burke explains that while local AI models can handle small, scoped tasks like generating a function’s contents, they still fall far short of the performance needed for more complex jobs compared to models like GPT-4 or Claude. [37:18] Co-Pilot’s competition. [38:23] Inspiration to people that as long as you are the software architect, you can do anything.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Programming with Palermo — New Video Podcast! Email us at programming@palermo.net. VS Code Day 2024 Youtube.com/@BurkeHolland/videos Burkeholland.github.io/resume/ Build.microsoft.com/en-US/speakers/0e476452-35ca-4750-ac78-393c0d8c4cb3 Linkedin.com/in/burkeholland/   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Ted Neward currently labors on behalf of Capital One as a Senior Distinguished Engineer, leveraging his speaking, writing, and coding experience to bring a technology-focused and -sharpened mindset to the mortgage industry. During his more code-focused years, he specialized in high-scale enterprise systems, working with clients ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to small 10-person shops. He is an authority in Java and .NET technologies, particularly in the areas of Java/.NET integration (both in-process and via integration tools like Web services), programming languages of all forms, back-end enterprise software systems, and virtual machine/execution engine plumbing.   He is the author or co-author of several books, including Professional F# 2.0, Effective Enterprise Java, C# In a Nutshell, SSCLI Essentials, Server-Based Java Programming, and a contributor to several technology journals. All told, he has written well over a hundred articles in both print and online form.   Ted has also been an “insider” of one form or another with a variety of the technology providers of the world: an IBM Champion of Cloud, a Microsoft F# MVP (having also been an Architect and C# MVP in prior years), an F# Insider, C# Insider, VB Insider, INETA speaker, DevelopMentor instructor, PluralSight course author, and a member of various Java JSRs.   Topics of Discussion: [2:44] Ted’s career journey and what keeps him motivated in the industry. [4:16] Why Ted believes the industry is overdue for a new mainstream programming language. [8:12] The evolution of case tools, UML, and why generating code has never been the real problem. [15:14] The challenge of keeping architecture simple versus embracing complexity. [22:33] The role of philosophy in software development. [38:01] Lessons from calculators, fundamentals, and why developers must still master core skills. [38:46] The impact of AI on productivity and job roles. [43:25] The Importance of Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs). [56:26] Ted and Jeffrey talk about a recent article in The Economist, “Jane Street’s sneaky retention tactic”. [1:01:54] The importance of writing as a tool for developers to structure their thoughts and improve communication. [1:04:02] A few of the upcoming places and events that you can catch Ted speaking live!   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Programming with Palermo — New Video Podcast! Email us at programming@palermo.net. Ted Neward LinkedIn Visual Studio Live! KCDC Voxxed Days, Crete Build Stuff   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Joe Cuevas Jr. is a seasoned software engineer based in San Antonio, Texas, with a strong focus on front-end development and user experience. At Southwest Research Institute, he contributes to innovative engineering solutions that span industries. With a background that blends technical precision and creative problem-solving, Joe brings a thoughtful perspective to the evolving world of software development. His passion for clean design, scalable code, and collaborative innovation makes him a standout voice in today’s tech landscape.   Topics of Discussion: [1:46] Why Joe fell in love with programming after a single VB.NET class. [5:00] What guided Joe towards the enterprise side of .NET. [6:25] Joe’s favorite foundational .NET and ASP.NET Core books. [9:06] Learning algorithms, concurrency, and testing to make up for no CS degree. [10:00] Why test automation is essential and doing testing immediately after writing the code. [12:14] Thoughts on test-driven development vs. testing right after coding. [14:18] Previewing Microsoft Semantic Kernel in Action, by Daniel Costa. [15:38] How Joe became a Manning book reviewer, and what he’s learned. [17:18] Prompt engineering and agent instructions: what’s ready now. [18:21] Codex and the moment that blew Joe’s mind. [22:26] How Joe sees software architecture evolving in the future. [24:09] Large language models vs. older code bases, and where they shine. [27:57] Dependency injections. [32:43] Joe’s advice for junior developers and why persistence beats perfection. Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Programming with Palermo — New Video Podcast! Email us at programming@palermo.net. Joe Cuevas LinkedIn ASP.NET Core in Action ASP.NET Core in Action, Third Edition Unit Testing Principles, Practice, and Patterns Unit Testing Principles, Practices, and Patterns: Effective testing styles, patterns, and reliable automation for unit testing, mocking, and integration testing with examples in C# Dependency Injection in .NET Microsoft Semantic Kernel in Action Explore — LeetCode Joe on GitHub   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

An international speaker, Microsoft MVP, ASPInsider, MCSD, PSM II, PSD, and PST, and a passionate member of the developer community, Phil has been working with .NET since the first betas, developing software for over 40 years, and has been heavily involved in the Agile community since 2005 as well as a Professional Scrum Trainer. Phil has taken over the best-selling Pro C# books (Apress Publishing), including Pro C# 10, is the President of the Cincinnati .NET Users Group (Cinnug.org), and the Cincinnati Software Architect Group, founded and runs the CincyDeliver conference (Cincydeliver.org), and volunteers for the National Ski Patrol. During the day, Phil works as the CTO & Chief Architect for Pintas & Mullins. Phil always enjoys learning new tech and is always striving to improve his craft.   Topics of Discussion: [2:53] Why Phil still loves writing software after 40-plus years.  [5:39] The difference between being a consultant and supporting code long-term. [8:27] Agile roles and user experience. [8:40] Embedding engineers in the business to avoid “telephone game” decisions. [11:30] “Move fast” vs. move efficiently — real-world cautionary tales. [13:40] Using Figma for business rule diagramming before writing a single line of code. [14:52] Releasing 4 x per week and getting rapid feedback. [16:49] NASCAR, motocross, and the connection of slow builds of how software teams avoid friction. [18:41] Measuring team efficiency, and how Phil eliminated emergency production fixes by mandating quality. [22:00] Feature flags, PBI coverage, and the team’s shared ownership of the code. [26:09] AI in legal tech: where it works, where it doesn’t. [34:56] The architectural shift created by LLMs, vector databases, and agents. [39:42] AI is not the goal — it’s just a tool for solving the right problems. [44:03] How Phil uses GitHub Copilot’s agent mode to streamline development. [46:03] Final thoughts: “It’s not about the tech. It’s about making someone’s life better.”   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Programming with Palermo — New Video Podcast! Email us at programming@palermo.net. “Clear Measure, Inc.” (Sponsor) “Philip Japikse: Professional C# in .NET - Episode 230” “Philip Japikse: Migrating from .NET Framework to .NET 8 - Episode 296”   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Today’s guest is Mark Miller, a multi-time C# MVP whose work blends software architecture with cognitive science. As the Chief Architect of the IDE Tools division at Developer Express, Mark is the visionary behind CodeRush — a toolset designed to maximize developer productivity through intelligent design. With nearly four decades of experience creating software tools, Mark’s expertise spans decoupled design, plug-in architectures, and the nuanced craft of great user interfaces. He’s a top-ranked international speaker, known for unpacking complex ideas with clarity, and he shares his thought process in real time on Twitch.tv/CodeRushed.   Topics of Discussion: [3:20] Why Mark still loves building developer tools. [6:31] Mark talks about GitHub Copilot agent technology and other AI coding tools. [8:00] The unique edge of CodeRush AI and its distinct advantages in user interface design. [8:39] The future of AI in code generation, predicting increased speed and accuracy in large language models. [9:02] The importance of managing multiple virtual developers in the future, compared to managing traditional software developers. [15:21] Demonstration of CodeRush AI features. [23:51] Mark creates a new class with properties and initializes it with realistic data. [24:40] Mark highlights AI’s ability to modify and integrate code changes automatically, reducing the need for manual copying and pasting. [36:32] AI Find. [37:09] Advantages of CodeRush AI over competitors.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Programming with Palermo — New Video Podcast! Email us at programming@palermo.net. Clear Measure, Inc. (Sponsor) “Mark Miller: The Science of Great UI in Software - Episode 212” CodeRushed - Twitch Mark Miller on LinkedIn   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Robert C. Martin, more often known as Uncle Bob, has been programming since 1970 and has served as a mentor to generations of software engineers. He’s one of the original authors of the Agile Manifesto and played a foundational role in forming the Agile Alliance, where he served as its first chairman. But beyond titles and organizations, Bob’s lasting impact comes through his writing, his lectures, and his philosophy of software craftsmanship. He has spoken at conferences around the world — QCon, Agile 20XX, IT Days, and countless other industry gatherings — always advocating for clarity, discipline, and ethical responsibility in code. And if you’ve ever read Clean Code, The Clean Coder, or Clean Architecture, you know that he doesn’t just teach how to build systems — he challenges us to become better professionals in the process. His most recent work, Functional Design, continues this legacy, distilling decades of experience into patterns and principles that are just as relevant today as they were when he first put finger to keyboard.   Topics of Discussion: [2:22] Uncle Bob’s advice for young programmers entering the field: Be cautious with AI tools, learn fundamental programming skills, and understand that AI won’t replace programmers. [4:42] Get to the basics first, and then you can move on: Master core programming skills and fundamentals before relying too heavily on AI or advanced tools. [8:19] The impact of AI on experienced developers. [15:44] Highlighting the role of programmers in managing low-level details that managers and customers don’t want to think about. [18:43] Programmers as language learners. [27:19] The state of Agile methodologies. [29:33] The original Agile goal of making small teams work efficiently together, which remains a crucial challenge. [35:37] Discussing the limitations of university computer science programs and the potential of trade school or apprenticeship models. [36:07] What’s next for Uncle Bob?   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Programming with Palermo — New Video Podcast! Email us at programming@palermo.net. Clear Measure, Inc. (Sponsor) Clean Agile: Back to Basics  Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship We, Programmers: A Chronicle of Coders from Ada to AI “Uncle Bob Martin: Clean Code and How to Do Software Well - Episode 283” Functional Design: Principles, Patterns, and Practices UncleBob on GitHub The Clean Code Blog Agile Principles, Patterns, Practices Clean Coders   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Today’s guest is a true heavyweight in the .NET open-source world — someone whose work has quietly but profoundly shaped the way countless developers build software. Jimmy Bogard is the creator and maintainer of two of the most widely used OSS libraries in the .NET ecosystem: AutoMapper and MediatR. If you've ever tried to simplify object mapping or decouple application logic, chances are you've used his tools. Based in Austin, Texas, Jimmy is an independent software consultant and a perennial recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional award every single year since 2009. That’s more than a decade and a half of consistent, community-driven excellence. AutoMapper alone has been around for 17 years and has racked up hundreds of millions of downloads. It started as a personal tool to streamline development for client projects and grew into a global standard for object mapping.   Topics of Discussion: [3:15] What keeps Jimmy passionate about coding? [5:19] The decision to commercialize both libraries. [6:33] What dual licensing means in practice. [12:11] Which version of each library will include the license change? [16:26] Current major versions of AutoMapper (v14) and MediatR (v12). [17:28] MediatR: the problem it solves and how it structures code. [20:45] Organizing code by use case. [26:00] AutoMapper: what it is and why it helps. [33:28] API design strategy and tailoring endpoints to use cases. [37:25] OpenAPI vs asyncAPI for message-based systems. [41:49] Blazor WebAssembly and remote handlers.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Programming with Palermo — New Video Podcast! Email us at programming@palermo.net. Clear Measure, Inc. (Sponsor) “Jimmy Bogard: .NET 7 and Azure Modernization - Episode 264” GitHub — Jimmy Bogard eShop GitHub — Jimmy Bogard GitHub — Automapper NuGet Gallery NuGet Gallery — MediatR Releases — J. Bogard Jimmy Bogard AutoMapper and MediatR Licensing Update   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Steven Smith, also known in the developer community as Ardalis, is an entrepreneur, author, and software architect with a deep passion for building effective, maintainable software. Through his company, NimblePros, Steve helps organizations — ranging from household names like Microsoft and Quicken Loans to growing teams across industries — maximize their development potential. His clients frequently describe him as a “force multiplier,” amplifying the productivity and impact of the teams he supports.   Steve has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for over two decades and continues to lead through education and mentorship. He’s published numerous courses on Pluralsight and Dometrain, focusing on topics like domain-driven design, software architecture, and design patterns. He also empowers developers through his mentorship platform, DevBetter.com, helping the next generation of professionals grow their careers with intention and clarity.   Topics of Discussion: [2:28] What keeps Steve excited about computer programming and software architecture? [4:42] What is software architecture? [6:18] The importance of understanding the logical components of a software system and how they interact. [7:06] Artifacts for architecture decisions. [8:52] How lightweight documentation and diagrams, like those in the C4 Model, can clarify system design without overburdening the team. [10:53] The modern architecture books that have caught Steve’s eye. [12:57] The KISS principle and keeping software architecture simple. [19:38] Clean architecture and domain-driven design principles. [22:52] Managing out-of-process dependencies and service integrations. [26:07] Adapter pattern and interface abstractions. [28:33] Decorator pattern for adding functionality. [33:14] Pipeline Architecture. [40:35] What Steve thinks the future holds for AI-driven development, what he uses it for, and the challenges of AI currently.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Programming with Palermo — New Video Podcast! Email us at programming@palermo.net. Clear Measure, Inc. (Sponsor) “Steve Smith: .NET 8 and Architecture” - Episode 276 NimblePros  Architect Modern Web Applications with ASP.NET Core and Azure  C4 Model  “Simon Brown on Architecture for Developers - Episode 96” Fundamentals of Software Architecture, by Mark Richards & Neal Ford, summarized as a platform-agnostic, principle-driven guide   .NET Rocks! “Architecture vs. Code with Steve Smith”  .NET Rocks! “Vertical Slice Architecture with Jeremy Miller”  GoF Adapter pattern .NET API interface estimate  Decorator patternBus Vs. Pipeline patterns   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Bob Ward is a Principal Architect for the Microsoft Azure Data team, which owns the development for Microsoft SQL Edge to Cloud. Bob has worked for Microsoft for 31-plus years on every version of SQL Server shipped, from OS/2 1.1 to SQL Server 2025, including Azure SQL. Bob is a well-known speaker on SQL Server, Azure SQL, AI, and Microsoft Fabric, often presenting talks on new releases, internals, and specialized topics at events such as SQLBits, Microsoft Build, Microsoft Ignite, PASS Summit, DevIntersection, and VS Live. You can also learn Azure SQL from him on the popular series https://aka.ms/azuresql4beginners. You can follow him on X at @bobwardms or linkedin.com/in/bobwardms. Bob is the author of the books Pro SQL Server on Linux, SQL Server 2019 Revealed, Azure SQL Revealed with a 2nd edition, and SQL Server 2022 Revealed available from Apress Media.   Topics of Discussion: [1:38] Bob reflects on nearly 30 years at Microsoft, growing alongside SQL Server since 1993. [4:16] Transitioning from engineering to advocacy: why Bob now focuses on helping developers unlock the power of SQL Server. [6:12] Debunking myths about SQL Server — yes, it’s cloud-ready, developer-friendly, and supports containers and Linux. [10:15] Key tools and features for developers using SQL: containers, Bicep templates, SQLCMD, and DevOps pipelines. [16:23] SQL projects and source control: how modern database DevOps practices improve reliability and testing. [19:32] Common challenges in database development: fear of breaking production, limited test data, and cultural silos. [22:55] Bob’s perspective on responsible database change management and the importance of a good rollback plan. [26:02] The evolution of developer tooling in SQL Server, and how Microsoft is making the CLI and APIs first-class citizens. [30:47] Advice for new developers: SQL isn’t going anywhere, and it’s easier than ever to get started. [34:00] Resources and community support: Bob highlights docs, GitHub samples, training courses, and his book.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Programming with Palermo — New Video Podcast! Email us at programming@palermo.net. Clear Measure, Inc. (Sponsor) Bob Ward: SQL Server - Episode 321 Bob Ward LinkedIn Bob Ward MBob Ward — Microsoft | LinkedInicrosoft Azure SQL Revealed: The Next-Generation Cloud Database with AI and Microsoft Fabric   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.  

Michael is an ASP.NET and C# programmer who has extensive knowledge in process improvement, AI and Large Language Models, and student information systems. He is also the founder of the following websites, BlazorData.net, AIStoryBuilders.com, and BlazorHelpWebsite.com — fantastic resources that help empower developers. Michael resides in Los Angeles, California, with his son Zachary and wife, Valerie.   Topics of Discussion: [2:09] Michael shares his background, starting with his first applications created for his uncle’s company using Access 2.0. [3:08] Michael mentions his new project, Personal Data Warehouse, which is an open-source, free tool for managing data. [5:20] He explains the inspiration behind the Personal Data Warehouse, focusing on the importance of data for making human decisions. [7:48] Michael’s finding: the reason we collect data is so that a human being can use that data to make decisions. [9:42] The three phases of data: collection, transformation, and reporting, and the significance of the transformation phase, where data is processed to make it useful for decision-making. [12:45] Data warehousing techniques and tools, and the use of Parquet files. [13:14] Michael talks about the use of SQL Server Reporting Services for generating reports, which can be accessed through the application. He encourages developers to explore the Personal Data Warehouse and its open-source code on GitHub. [22:33] Scenarios and use cases for Personal Data Warehouse. [32:09] AI and Language Models in Data Management. [36:17] The need to be responsible with AI and not use it to harm people. [37:07] Michael shares his experience with various AI tools, including CoPilot, OpenAI, and Google Notebooks.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Programming with Palermo — New Video Podcast! Email us at programming@palermo.net. Clear Measure, Inc. (Sponsor) .NET DevOps for Azure: A Developer’s Guide to DevOps Architecture the Right Way, by Jeffrey Palermo Ep 286 with Michael Washington Webmaster@ADefWebserver.com AI Snake Oil AIStoryBuilders Blazor — Blogs Blazor Help Website BlazorData-Net / PersonalDataWarehouse GitHub Copilot Google NotebooksLM   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

As the Vice President of Strategy at Xebia Microsoft Services, Rocky leads the vision and direction of the company’s software development solutions and services. He brings extensive expertise in framework design and implementation, distributed systems architecture, and cloud and container technologies, helping clients achieve their business goals and deliver value to their customers.   He is also the creator of CSLA .NET, an open-source development framework that enables developers to build scalable, maintainable, and secure object-oriented applications. As an accomplished author, he has written multiple books on the subject and frequently shares his insights at major conferences worldwide. He is honored to be a member of the Microsoft Regional Director and MVP programs and serves as co-chair of Visual Studio Live! as well as chair of the Cloud & Containers Live conferences. His passion lies in advancing the software industry and empowering developers to create better software.   Topics of Discussion: [3:30] Rockford shares his first job experience at an independent software vendor (ISV) building software to dispatch and manage the delivery of ready-mix concrete trucks. [8:30] The evolution of software and its connection to real-world processes. [9:53] The impact of technology advancements, such as miniaturization and material science, on modern software applications. [12:40] The influence of AI on software architecture and decision making. [19:15] Rockford about the importance of open-source libraries and personal projects in software development. [21:35] How does one become aware of what’s available these days? [23:14] Rockford suggests using RSS readers, curated feeds, and platforms like Feedly and Mastodon to stay informed about industry developments. [27:06] The upside to blogging and microblogging. [28:25] Importance of sharing knowledge and expertise. [29:19] Expertise through teaching and sharing. [32:19] Impact of Large Language Models (LLMs) on Coding. [38:22] Infrastructure challenges with AI. [40:21] Legacy software modernization. [40:52] Career advice for leaders and recognizing it as its own career path.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Programming with Palermo — New Video Podcast! Email us at programming@palermo.net. Clear Measure, Inc. (Sponsor) .NET DevOps for Azure: A Developer’s Guide to DevOps Architecture the Right Way, by Jeffrey Palermo Azure & DevOps Podcast: Rocky Lhotka: CSLA - Episode 210 CSLA.NET Rockford on LinkedIn Rockford Lhotka Rockford’s Blog Feedly Morning Dew — Alvin Ashcroft Drive by Daniel Pink  Visual Studio Live! Tunisia DevDays   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Scott is the Vice President of Product for Azure Developer Experience. He builds all the .NET tools for Azure.   Topics of Discussion: [1:49] Scott’s Microsoft journey and .NET evolution. [3:39] AI's transformative impact on software development. [6:08] Using ChatGPT and Deep Research. [8:41] Software Engineering Agent (Padawan). [11:20] Model Context Protocol (MCP). [11:51] GitHub workflow for agent-driven development. [15:53] Handling repetitive or non-fun development tasks. [19:41] How AI will bring back the tech for us. [21:15] Azure Spring Apps and modernization tools. [23:39] The Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) Agent, which helps monitor and manage cloud applications, reducing pager hits and automating common tasks. [29:02] Reducing developer toil so there’s more time to do what they want to do. [31:22] The future organizational philosophy shift that may happen, while Scott reminds us that for the time being, you are still the operator and still in control. [33:37] The development of prompt libraries in tools like Visual Studio Code and Visual Studio to help developers create detailed prompts. [38:18] Scott emphasizes the importance of continuous feedback from developers to improve AI tools and make them more effective.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Programming with Palermo — New Video Podcast! Email us at programming@palermo.net. Clear Measure, Inc. (Sponsor) .NET DevOps for Azure: A Developer’s Guide to DevOps Architecture the Right Way, by Jeffrey Palermo Scott Hunter: Microsoft’s Azure & .NET Strategy- Episode 211 Scott Hunter: .NET8 - Episode 272 scott.hunter@microsoft.com   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Scott has spent over 25 years in the IT field, working in disciplines such as systems architecture, software development, team growth, and entrepreneurship. He was a Microsoft MVP for 12 years in ASP.NET and IIS. He’s co-authored two books (IIS 7 and IIS 8 Professional), is a Pluralsight author, and has spoken at various conferences, code camps, and user groups. He's now shifted into the AI space, building AI solutions and supporting others in their AI journey. Scott co-founded a new startup, Kitchen Copilot, using all the new GenAI tech to help people cook more at home and eat healthier.   Topics of Discussion: [1:34] Scott’s career journey and how Kitchen Copilot originated. [7:27] More about Kitchen Copilot’s features. [9:35] How Kitchen helps with meal planning and recipe discovery for all levels of at-home chefs. [13:17] The technical process of importing recipes. [15:58] Using Microsoft Document intelligence to read handwriting and take screenshots of cookbook recipes. [17:13] Deployed pieces of the application. [20:43] E-mail import and queuing system. [23:32] Choice of LLM models including Groq. [29:37] Automated testing approach for LLM-based applications. [31:36] Hosting details.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Programming with Palermo — New Video Podcast! Email us at programming@palermo.net. Clear Measure, Inc. (Sponsor) .NET DevOps for Azure: A Developer’s Guide to DevOps Architecture the Right Way, by Jeffrey Palermo Flowise Attention is all you need Kitchen Copilot Make Perplexity Claude Groq About Groq Scott on LinkedIn Kitchen Copilot AI Generator   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

David Lykken, a 51-year veteran of the mortgage industry, is the Founder, President & Chief Transformational Officer of Transformational Mortgage Solutions (TMS). With decades of expertise, Lykken and his team of industry veterans are revolutionizing the way mortgage professionals conduct business through consulting, executive coaching, and strategic communications.     Recognized as a leading voice in the mortgage sector, he has been a frequent guest on FOX Business News, as well as making appearances on CNBC & CBS Evening News, where he shares invaluable insights on market trends and industry developments.     Mr. Lykken is also the host of the widely acclaimed weekly Lykken on Lending podcast, heard every Monday at 1 PM ET. Additionally, he leads the Lykken On Leadership podcast, where he provides leadership strategies tailored to the mortgage and housing industries.   Beyond his work in podcasting, Mr. Lykken extends his reach into television, hosting two TV shows: Your Home Business and Your Home Coast to Coast, both airing on Your Home TV. His multifaceted career reflects a deep commitment to educating and empowering professionals in an ever-evolving industry.   Topics of Discussion: [4:50] David’s early career challenges with dyslexia. [5:55] Learning about virtual assistants. [7:38] Current AI Tools and Usage, including large language models, Blockchain, and private GPT. [9:57] Twin protocol and AI avatars. [13:02] AI in Recruiting and Communication, introducing ELO GPT tool for automated outbound calling and personalized recruitment strategies. [19:27] AI Mistakes and Challenges, discussing the importance of training AI tools and avoiding generic, potentially inaccurate content. [24:10] Evolution of business assistance, comparing current AI tools to previous technological shifts like typewriters and word processors. [26:52] The continued importance of human relationships in business, emphasizing that AI cannot fully replace human empathy and connection. [31:10] The future of AI, predicting increased productivity and scalability for businesses through AI technologies.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Programming with Palermo — New Video Podcast! Email us at programming@palermo.net. Clear Measure, Inc. (Sponsor) .NET DevOps for Azure: A Developer’s Guide to DevOps Architecture the Right Way, by Jeffrey Palermo David Lykken LinkedIn Transformational Mortgage Solutions Lykken on Lending YHBTV with David Lykken Your Home Coast to Coast TV The Coming Wave: AI, Power, and Our Future, by Mustafa Suleyman and Michael Bhaskar Twin Protocol (AI) tool ELO GPT ElevenLabs Perplexity Vibe Coding Opus Clip   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.