Hanselminutes with Scott Hanselman

Dr. Gabriel Dos Reis, a Principal SDE at Microsoft and C++ expert, dives into why C++ remains relevant in a tech landscape dominated by newer languages. He discusses the language's evolution, highlighting its powerful features and performance in areas like AI and browsers. Gabriel explains C++'s backward compatibility, how it mirrors human languages, and addresses modern challenges like tooling gaps. He also shares insights on teaching robust coding practices and emphasizes the importance of learning multiple programming languages to enhance engineering skills.

Claire Giordano, a long-time Postgres advocate and engineer at Microsoft, shares her journey into the world of PostgreSQL. She discusses the database's unexpected rise from academia to a leading choice for startups and global enterprises. Claire highlights Postgres' extensibility, the importance of its open-source community, and its adaptability in the era of AI. She also sheds light on its welcoming community culture and how managed services have boosted its adoption. Discover the secrets behind Postgres' enduring popularity and innovative spirit!

Scott chats with Stephen Jones, a senior engineering manager and curator at the Interim Computer Museum, specializing in restoring vintage systems. They delve into the art of bringing old computers back to life and the importance of interactive restoration for visitors. Stephen shares insights on community involvement, the challenges of remote access for vintage systems, and the significance of preserving software and hardware. He also discusses the museum's mission and how retro computing can bridge generational gaps in tech understanding.

Kat Excellence, an early-career software engineer and author of the blog katexcellence.io, shares valuable insights on navigating the tech industry. She discusses the challenges of motivation in coding and the importance of small, consistent progress. Kat emphasizes shipping code early to prove impact and the significance of documenting work. She also highlights the benefits of reviewing PRs daily to enhance learning. With a focus on turning setbacks into growth, Kat offers junior engineers a toolkit for success in their careers.

In this engaging discussion, Mike Rousos, Principal Software Engineer at Microsoft, shares his expertise on modernizing legacy applications and utilizing AI in cloud migration. He highlights the benefits of upgrading to .NET and Azure PaaS, including improved performance and supportability. Mike dives into the role of GitHub Copilot in generating tests and documenting transformations, while addressing common pitfalls in migration. Their conversation also emphasizes how AI can amplify learning for junior engineers and enhance productivity across development teams.

In this engaging discussion, Bobby Lockhart, game designer and coauthor of The Game Designer's Workbook, dives into the art of educational game design. He explores the concept that all games teach something, making subject matter engaging with memorable mechanics. Bobby shares insights on successful games like Code Combat and how context enhances learning. He emphasizes the importance of reflection for game designers and advocates for creativity within constraints, encouraging both aspiring and experienced designers to find their unique voice.

Safia Abdalla, a Principal Engineer at Microsoft, dives into the journey of building competence and confidence in tech. She discusses the value of pair programming, how stepping away from problems can spark solutions, and the pressure new engineers face in today's landscape. Safia highlights the critical role of mentorship in fostering trust and supporting early-career growth. They also explore the evolving relationship between engineers and AI, emphasizing the importance of code review skills in a world where AI-generated code is becoming common.

Mathias Biilmann, CEO of Netlify and a pioneer of the Jamstack movement, shares insights on the future of web development in an AI-driven landscape. He discusses how AI tools can democratize coding and amplify developers' roles, enabling non-developers to prototype changes. Mathias dives into Netlify's new AI Workflow, highlighting features like sandboxed agent runs and deploy previews that enhance collaboration. He emphasizes the need for intentionality in using AI tools to ensure effective results and streamline modern web development.

In this episode of Hanselminutes, Scott Hanselman talks with Tuple engineer Johnny Marler about the craft and culture of pair programming. They explore how intentional collaboration can sharpen problem-solving, reduce context switching, and build trust between teammates—especially in remote environments. Johnny shares lessons from developing Tuple, developing with native code on Windows, insights from the Zig community, and why pairing remains one of the most underrated tools in a developer’s toolkit.https://tuple.app/hanselminutes

In this episode of Hanselminutes, Scott Hanselman sits down with Adam Jacob, co-founder of SystemInit and creator of Chef, to explore the provocative question: Can AI save DevOps? Together, they unpack the growing complexity of modern infrastructure, the limits of human-scale operations, and how AI-driven systems might reshape the way we build, deploy, and maintain software. From declarative intent to autonomous remediation, Adam shares his vision for a future where DevOps isn't just automated—it’s intelligent.https://systeminit.com