.NET Rocks!

How has DevOps changed in 2025? Carl and Richard talk to Michael Levan about his experiences helping teams automate their development workflows, and dealing with all the details that help the entire team focus on providing customer value. Michael digs into the role of the new AI tools in facilitating better workflows around code, testing, deployment, telemetry, and more. Then the conversation turns to security - and the many challenges that exist to make applications that are secure when deployed, and help with the security challenges that happen while in operation!

Diana Mounter, former Head of Design at GitHub and now transitioning to AlphaSense, shares her design journey and insights. She discusses the evolution of GitHub's design and the importance of integrating design with development. Topics include the innovative Primer design language and how understanding programming leads to better user experiences. Diana's anecdotes highlight the balance needed between creativity and coding, emphasizing the future potential of generative AI in design practices.

Dustin Campbell, a Principal Software Architect at Microsoft, unveils the exciting developments in C# 14. He shares insights on how new features are selected and discusses the long-awaited extension members. The conversation dives into the delicate balance between language, framework, and tooling, alongside advancements in Razor Pages. Listeners will enjoy Dustin's reflections on coding efficiency innovations and the evolving landscape of .NET tooling—all sprinkled with a dash of tech history and humor.

Michael Howard, a veteran at Microsoft and Senior Director in the Red Team, shares fascinating insights from over 30 years in application security. He delves into the evolution of security practices, emphasizing the importance of integrating security into development from the start. Michael discusses the arms race between attackers and defenders, explaining how the Red Team simulates real threats to bolster defenses. He also highlights the human factors in security vulnerabilities and the rising importance of AI-assisted measures to tackle evolving threats.

Billy Hollis, a Nashville-based software designer and developer specializing in user experience and healthcare systems, shares his insights on updating legacy applications. He discusses the importance of assessing whether a legacy app is still meeting modern workflows. Hollis highlights the challenges of balancing user-friendly design with the complexities of older systems and offers strategies for modernizing applications while respecting their critical roles. His extensive experience brings a unique perspective on the delicate art of enhancing usability in legacy software.

Hannes Lowette, a Principal Consultant at Axes in Belgium, dives into the world of event sourcing, sharing his passion for back-end development and scalability. He explains how moving away from traditional data storage can enhance application performance. With event streams, developers can generate necessary relational data easily while improving speed. Hannes also tackles the challenges of data privacy under GDPR, emphasizing how to maintain historical records without sacrificing compliance. It's a captivating look at modern data management!

Mark Seemann, a seasoned software developer and blogger, shares his critical insights on the impact of AI tools like ChatGPT on the development community. He warns against the illusion of AI as a reliable source of truth, highlighting the need for developers to possess sufficient knowledge to evaluate AI-generated code. The conversation touches on the risks of inexperienced developers misusing these tools, underscoring the importance of accountability and critical thinking in software development. Mark emphasizes that as AI evolves, so must our approach to its implications and oversight.

Dive into the future of Progressive Web Apps as experts share innovative techniques and powerful features, including service workers and framework flexibility. Discover the amusing intersection of tech and comedy, with anecdotes about vocal dyslexia and AI's impact on programming jobs. Explore the evolution of the internet, quirky domain names, and the importance of user engagement in app development. Enjoy entertaining discussions on interactive games, Canadian cuisine, and humorous late-night snack stories.

Mark Miller, Chief Architect at Developer Express and a Microsoft MVP, shares his insights on integrating AI technology into coding practices. He discusses the benefits of voice-driven coding assistants that minimize context switching. The conversation covers how innovative AI tools enhance developer efficiency and problem-solving capabilities. Miller also emphasizes the ongoing evolution in software development and architectural improvements that ensure code quality while simplifying tedious tasks. Get ready to rethink your coding workflow with these advanced AI tools!

Join Seth Juarez, a Microsoft AI expert with a knack for making complex concepts understandable, as he unpacks agentic AI. Learn about the innovative potential of MCP and NLWeb for creating collaborative AI agents. Seth discusses the underlying mechanics of these tools, emphasizing the need for governance to harness their capabilities responsibly. The conversation also explores the evolution of AI agency and the nuances of prompt politeness, which can significantly impact AI performance. It's a deep dive into the future of AI in programming!