Azure & DevOps Podcast

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, co-founder and CEO of Clean Coders, shares his journey from a childhood influenced by his father, Uncle Bob, to navigating the software industry. He discusses the value of mentorship and apprenticeship in developing skilled engineers, drawing parallels with martial arts training. Micah also explains the evolution of Clean Coders and the significance of acceptance testing in agile practices. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to automation while ensuring human oversight remains crucial in software development.

Burke Holland, Principal Developer Advocate at Microsoft, shares insights from his journey in developer advocacy, including his pivotal shift from developer to evangelist. He delves into the rapid evolution of software development and the transformative impact of AI, particularly GitHub Copilot's various modes. Holland discusses the importance of context and the challenges of AI's unpredictability in coding. Additionally, he emphasizes the need for developers to keep pace with new tools and the critical role they play in managing AI-driven coding processes.

Ted Neward, a Senior Distinguished Engineer at Capital One, brings a wealth of experience in high-scale enterprise systems and deep expertise in Java and .NET. He discusses his career journey and the vital need for simplicity in software architecture. Ted explores the impact of generative AI on development, emphasizing the importance of not relying solely on AI for innovation. He also delves into the evolution of programming languages, the significance of writing skills for developers, and the philosophical foundations that underpin effective software design.

Joe Cuevas, a senior software engineer from San Antonio, shares his journey from a VB.NET class igniting his passion for programming to his current role focusing on front-end development. He discusses the significance of testing immediately after coding, the evolution of software architecture, and the impact of AI tools like Codex on programming. Joe also emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and mentorship for junior developers, providing key insights on dependency injection and the future of coding practices.

In this engaging discussion, Philip Japikse, an international speaker and Microsoft MVP, shares insights from over 40 years in software development. He reveals why he still loves coding and discusses the critical difference between consulting and long-term support. Philip dives into Agile roles, effective communication, and the importance of embedding engineers in business. He compares rapid software releases to NASCAR strategies and highlights the significance of user experience over fleeting tech trends. Get ready for practical tips and thought-provoking anecdotes!

Join Mark Miller, Chief Architect at Developer Express and mastermind behind CodeRush, as he shares his passion for creating developer tools that enhance productivity. He discusses the advantages of CodeRush AI, comparing it to GitHub Copilot, and sheds light on the future of AI in coding, emphasizing increased speed and accuracy. Mark showcases innovative features like voice commands for code creation and AI's ability to auto-modify code. His insights bridge software architecture and cognitive science, making tech jargon accessible and engaging!

Robert C. Martin, affectionately known as Uncle Bob, has been a mentor to countless software engineers since 1970 and is a co-author of the Agile Manifesto. He shares invaluable advice for newcomers, emphasizing the importance of mastering core programming skills and cautions about over-reliance on AI tools. The impact of AI on developers is examined, alongside a discussion about evolving software practices and education. Uncle Bob critiques traditional methods and the skills gap in tech, advocating for practical experience over theoretical training.

Jimmy Bogard, the mastermind behind AutoMapper and MediatR, shares his journey in the .NET open-source realm. He discusses what fuels his passion for coding and the strategic move to commercialize his libraries while maintaining a dual licensing model. Dive into the world of software architecture as he explains how MediatR organizes code by use case and how AutoMapper simplifies object mapping. Jimmy also touches on the importance of intentional API design and balances his roles as a consultant and open-source maintainer.