Azure & DevOps Podcast

Rockford Lhotka, Vice President of Strategy at Xebia Microsoft Services, is a prominent software architect and the creator of the CSLA .NET framework. He shares insights from his early career, emphasizing the significance of understanding user needs in software design. The conversation dives into the influence of AI on architecture and how tech advancements reshape development practices. Lhotka also discusses the value of networking for career growth and the necessity of adapting mindsets to embrace emerging technologies in the ever-evolving software landscape.

Scott Hunter, Vice President of Product for Azure Developer Experience at Microsoft, shares insights from his tech journey and the evolution of .NET. He dives into AI’s revolutionary role in software development, discussing how tools like ChatGPT transform coding practices. Scott highlights the importance of enhancing efficiency with Site Reliability Engineering agents and customizable solutions. He also emphasizes breaking down complex tasks using AI-driven prompts and the need for continuous developer feedback to refine AI tools for better productivity.

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.

In this engaging discussion, David Lykken, founder and president of Transformational Mortgage Solutions, shares his 51 years of experience in the mortgage industry. He dives into the use of current AI tools like large language models and blockchain, revealing their potential to transform recruiting and communication. Lykken recounts personal challenges that fueled his interest in AI, emphasizing the importance of the human touch in an increasingly automated world. He inspires listeners to envision a future where AI enhances productivity while preserving essential human qualities.

Jeff Sutherland, co-creator of Scrum and CEO of Scrum Inc., shares his journey from military discipline to Agile innovation. He discusses how complex adaptive systems theory laid the groundwork for Agile practices. Sutherland highlights the expanding applications of Scrum beyond software development, including finance and healthcare. He also explores the integration of AI in Scrum methodologies, illustrating its potential to enhance team productivity and transform traditional processes, making work more efficient and effective across industries.

Adrienne Braganza Tacke is a software development engineer at DebtTrader and author passionate about STEM education. She shares her unique journey into tech and the unexpected paths that shaped her career. The conversation dives into the significance of effective code review patterns and how they enhance developer collaboration. Adrienne discusses common pitfalls in code reviews, emphasizing the need for clear communication and automation tools. The evolution of how developers communicate during reviews, including the role of chatbots, also sparks an engaging dialogue.

April Yoho, a Senior Developer Advocate at GitHub, has a rich background in application transformation and DevOps. She shares her inspiring journey from data center outages in the U.S. to discovering cloud automation in the U.K. April discusses GitHub's transformation into a comprehensive platform focusing on security and developer productivity. She highlights the innovative Codespaces, enhancing the cloud development experience, and explores how GitHub Copilot is streamlining workflows and boosting productivity, reshaping the future of development.

In this engaging discussion, Jerry Nixon, a Principal Program Manager on the SQL Server team and a professor, shares unique insights into the intersection of parenting and engineering. He emphasizes the crucial role of community and networking in career growth, comparing pivotal moments to pearls on a necklace. Nixon also explains how .NET Aspire simplifies container-based development and enhances database interactions, while offering a fresh perspective on developer conventions at Microsoft. Plus, he delves into the evolving landscape of GraphQL and the importance of community feedback on tools.

Stephen Toub, a Partner Software Engineer at Microsoft with nearly 24 years of experience in .NET, delves into AI's transformative role in software development. He discusses the evolution of .NET libraries to support AI-enhanced tools improving developer productivity and user interfaces. Toub explains the concept of advanced agent systems powered by large language models, and highlights critical integrations in the .NET ecosystem that allow interoperability across various AI frameworks. His insights pave the way for a bold future in AI and .NET.

Bruno Capuano, a Principal Cloud Advocate at Microsoft, empowers teams to harness AI using languages like C#, Python, and C++. He shares his journey into tech advocacy and highlights the crucial need for .NET developers to have seamless access to AI tools. Bruno discusses essential resources for beginners and the benefit of local development options. He also explores innovative solutions like vector databases to enhance AI applications, emphasizing real-time data interactions and community engagement to make AI more accessible and effective.