Azure & DevOps Podcast

Ryan Riley, a Principal Software Engineer at Wise Rock, shares insights from his extensive experience in software engineering leadership. He discusses his journey from the .com bubble to leading teams, emphasizing the balance between coding and leadership. Ryan highlights the importance of empowering developers, implementing best practices like pull requests and testing, and navigating architectural choices between monoliths and microservices. He also dives into the complexities of managing cloud costs and ensuring software stability in production.

Erik Darling, a DBA and architect known for his expertise in database performance, dives into the world of technical debt in SQL Server. He shares his journey and early challenges, emphasizing how common issues evolve over time. The conversation highlights the impact of abstraction layers like ORMs on performance, and offers essential advice for database schema design. Erik also addresses staffing challenges in SQL environments and the unique aspects of Azure SQL migrations, stressing the need for ongoing education in the field.

Kent Beck, a pioneer in the Agile movement and author of influential texts on Extreme Programming, shares his insights on software development. He discusses the origins of his advocacy for extreme programming and emphasizes the enduring practices that support effective teams. Beck introduces the concept of 'Tidy First,' encouraging incremental software design improvements. He also explores the importance of normalizing symmetry in design, the parallels between software development and baking, and offers invaluable advice for young developers.

In this conversation, Matt Gordon, a Microsoft Data Platform MVP with a rich background in SQL Server and data technologies, shares his professional journey, including overcoming a childhood stutter to become a speaker. He discusses the evolution of database tools, highlighting the shift to Flyway and the importance of effective monitoring tools. Matt also emphasizes best practices for database change management in DevOps and the impact of ORM on performance. His insights into embracing microservices and adapting to various database sizes make for an engaging listen.

Henry Quillin, a computer science and business honors student at UT Austin and software engineer intern at Bank of America, shares his journey through college. He discusses the transformative experience of adjusting to university life and how internships enhanced his learning. Practical experience and teamwork are pivotal themes, as he reflects on challenging courses like data structures and operating systems. Henry also offers valuable advice for aspiring computer scientists on securing internships and embracing emerging technologies.

David Starr, a Principal Solutions Architect at Microsoft, brings over 20 years of experience to the conversation. He discusses the evolution of Azure Marketplaces and innovative AI publishing strategies, offering insights from his tenure at GoDaddy. Agile methodologies like Scrum play a key role in software development leadership, and Starr shares successful examples of partnerships within the Azure Marketplace. He also navigates complex AI pricing models and advocates for the integration of AI in both software distribution and online learning.

Brian A. Randell, a Staff Developer Advocate at GitHub with over 30 years in software, dives into the evolution of tech tools and the power of collaboration. He discusses how GitHub Copilot can revolutionize coding by saving time, letting developers focus on innovation. Brian emphasizes the importance of prioritizing developer experience and balancing value delivery with personal life. With insights into best practices for .NET teams and the integration of security in development, this chat is a treasure trove for software enthusiasts!

Jason Haley, a Full Stack Solution Architect and Microsoft Azure MVP, dives into the world of Azure services for artificial intelligence. He discusses his career milestones with .NET and Azure, and shares insights about the evolving landscape of Generative AI. Listeners learn about the importance of prompt engineering for language models and explore how businesses can leverage Azure AI services. Jason also addresses the costs of utilizing OpenAI's models and offers practical resources for developers venturing into AI applications.

Gene Kim has been studying high-performing technology organizations since 1999. He was the founder and CTO of Tripwire, Inc. for 13 years, running an enterprise security software company. As an author, Gene’s books have sold over 1 million copies, including earning recognition as a Wall Street Journal bestselling author. He most recently co-authored Wiring the Winning Organization, as well as The Phoenix Project, The DevOps Handbook, and the Shingo Publication Award-winning book, Accelerate. Since 2014, he has been the organizer and program chair of the DevOps Enterprise Summit, now called the Enterprise Technology Leadership Summit, which studies the technology transformations of large, complex organizations.   Topics of Discussion: [2:11] Gene joins the show and shares more about his career background. [9:51] Gene discusses the three key mechanisms that are common across various frameworks and methodologies: certification, simplification, and amplification. [10:06] What has changed since Gene released his first book in 2004? [14:42] The two revelations in the book. [18:25] The importance of layer 3 (organizational wiring) in complex systems. [21:16] Reducing communication barriers in software development teams. [24:33] Overcoming obstacles as a team. [25:56] IT department's role in business, including challenges with communication and coordination. [27:06] The Check Box project. [30:11] Is the concept of the IT department a good or bad idea? [32:11] What caused the DevOps moment? [38:40] Wiring software organizations for success. [43:08] How Gene learned what good architecture looks like. [44:41] Gene is blown away by how important the notion of independence of action is.   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 — Available on Amazon! Jeffrey Palermo’s Twitter — Follow to stay informed about future events! Gene Kim Gene Kim on X Gene Kim LinkedIn The Unicorn Project, by Gene Kim The Phoenix Project: A Novel about IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win, by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, et al. “What to Expect at Enterprise Technology Leadership Summit at Vegas 2024” “Decoding the DNA of the Toyota Production System”   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Craig Loewen has had a love for technology ever since he was a child and has grown passionate about building things that empower people. From constructing his own quadcopter for photography to delivering developer tools that aid developers in driving technological innovation, he has done it all.   As a product manager at Microsoft, he is responsible for the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), a developer tool used by over 3 million developers and IT professionals. He defines the product vision and prioritizes the feature roadmap based on customer data, technical feedback, and market studies. On the personal side, he volunteers as a mentor at First Robotics, teaching high school students how to build robots and fostering a passion for STEM.   Topics of Discussion: [3:52] Craig’s career journey, starting as an intern working on Windows console and WSL features. [5:18] Common use cases for WSL — allowing developers to use Linux tools while staying on Windows. [7:43] How to get started with WSL. [8:59] Does Craig have any favorite Linux programs? [10:05] New Dev Home feature for managing WSL distros with a graphical interface. [11:36] How WSL works using virtualization technology. [13:35] Memory management in WSL — typical usage and automatic optimization. [15:22 WSL is designed primarily for development scenarios, not production environments. [20:33] Integration of local AI and small language models with WSL using VS Code AI Toolkit. [23:37] Using small language models for various tasks, including issue labeling and search functionality. [27:35] Intro to Sudo for Windows, bringing Linux-like elevated permissions to Windows commands. [28:39] What exactly is Sudo? [32:39] New enterprise features for WSL, including security controls and integration with Microsoft Defender.   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 — Available on Amazon! Jeffrey Palermo’s Twitter — Follow to stay informed about future events! Craig Loewen What is the Windows Subsystem for Linux Windows Subsystem for Linux, Your Enterprise Ready Multitool Zero to Hero — Develop your first app with Local LLMs on Windows   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.