Azure & DevOps Podcast

Programming Windows: Dave Plummer - Episode 318

Oct 7, 2024

Dave Plummer, a seasoned software engineer and YouTuber known for his show Dave's Garage, shares insights from his notable Microsoft career. He reflects on the rich culture of the 90s and his work on influential projects like Windows Media Center and Task Manager. Dave discusses the challenges of porting code across platforms and the evolution of software engineering over two decades, touching on the rise of AI and embedded systems. He also emphasizes the importance of user interface design and the practical applications of modern technologies like ESP32.

29:34

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Dave Plummer

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Dave Plummer highlights the evolution of software engineering, emphasizing the importance of foundational skills amid the rise of AI and new technologies.

Plummer shares his unique experiences at Microsoft, including his contributions to user interface design and the complexities of code porting between operating systems.

Deep dives

Insights from a Decade at Microsoft

Dave Plummer shares his experience during his ten years at Microsoft, highlighting the challenges and learning opportunities that came with working alongside some of the best developers in the industry. He recalls feeling intimidated and experiencing imposter syndrome upon joining the company as he interacted with top-tier talent who had immense expertise. Plummer discusses how his fascination with user interface (UI) design led him to contribute significantly to the Windows operating systems, including Windows 95 and various shell features. The podcast details how working on porting code from Windows 95 to Windows NT allowed him to intimately understand vast amounts of code, shaping his foundational skills as a software engineer.

Intro

3min

From Intern to Innovator: My Microsoft Journey

6min

The Evolution of Software Engineering: Skills and New Frontiers

2min

Exploring the Timelessness of UI Technologies

2min

Navigating Programming Languages and AI in Development

13min

Exploring Technology Topics and Creative Content

3min

Dave was a developer or development manager on each of the major operating systems from MS-DOS 6.2 through Server 2003 while at Microsoft from 1993 to 2003.

He’s worked on MS-DOS products, OLE objects, Win95, Windows NT, and the NT Pinball game. He also wrote and helped design the initial prototype of Windows Media Center. Dave also added Product Activation to the Windows platform including various anti-tampering mechanisms to prevent illegal copying of the product. He’s also worked on Task Manager, Zip Folders, and Calculator as he focused on the Windows Shell. He currently runs a very popular online show called Dave’s Garage on YouTube, where he demystifies various software engineering topics.

Topics of Discussion:

[:35] Introduction of Dave, his background, and his career at Microsoft.

[3:47] Dave’s experience at Microsoft in the 1990s: the environment, culture, and working with some of the best developers in the world.

[5:19] What led Dave to work on the Windows shell and user interface development.

[7:38] The challenges of porting code from Windows 95 to Windows NT and working with operating system differences.

[9:25] Dave’s work on Task Manager, Zip Folders, and Windows Media Center.

[13:23] The state of software engineering today: Dave’s take on modern systems, embedded programming, and the rise of AI.

[14:34] Embedded systems programming: Dave’s work with ESP32 chips, their features, and applications.

[19:16] Thoughts on AI and its impact on software development: Will AI eventually write all the code?

[21:14] The future of software engineering: How AI will change the role of developers and the need for debugging and architectural understanding.

[22:47] Dave’s advice for young programmers: Learning C++, Python, and the importance of understanding system architecture.

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