Playing With ChatGPT: Learning Azure, Advantages and Disadantages of Microsoft Teams, Must-Read Books for Developers, and more

Oleksandr Krakovetskyi
The DevRain Tech Blog
8 min readDec 28, 2022
Cover was generated by Midjourney for “artificial intelligence, microsoft, azure, abstract, cover” query

This article was written by ChatGPT mostly. I asked a few questions about Microsoft products, learning paths and careers for software developers. I personally like the answers which are accurate and neutral. But you should not interpret these answers as author’s position or 100% truth.

Explain what is ChatGPT to 12 years old child

ChatGPT is a type of artificial intelligence that is designed to have conversations with humans. It uses a large dataset of text and machine learning algorithms to generate responses that are similar to how a human might respond.

For example, if you ask ChatGPT a question, it will try to understand what you are asking and generate a relevant response. ChatGPT can also learn from the conversations it has with people and improve its responses over time.

Overall, ChatGPT is a fun and interesting way to learn about artificial intelligence and how it can be used to have conversations with people.

What must read books for software developers can you recommend?

Here are a few books that I would recommend for software developers:

  1. “Clean Code” by Robert C. Martin: This book provides guidance on how to write clean, maintainable, and testable code. It covers topics such as naming conventions, refactoring, and design patterns.
  2. “The Pragmatic Programmer” by Andrew Hunt and David Thomas: This book covers a wide range of practical software development topics, including debugging, testing, and project management. It also includes advice on how to improve your skills as a developer and how to work effectively with others.
  3. “Code Complete” by Steve McConnell: This comprehensive guide covers many aspects of software development, including design, testing, and debugging. It provides practical tips and techniques for improving the quality and reliability of your code.
  4. “Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software” by Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson, and John Vlissides: This book introduces the concept of design patterns, which are reusable solutions to common software design problems. It includes descriptions of 23 classic patterns and provides examples of how they can be applied in real-world situations.
  5. “Cracking the Coding Interview” by Gayle Laakmann McDowell: If you’re looking to land a job as a software developer, this book is a must-read. It includes hundreds of practice problems and solutions, as well as tips and strategies for acing the technical interview.

I want to learn Microsoft Azure and become a Microsoft certified specialist. What learning path can you recommend?

Here is a learning path that you can follow to learn Microsoft Azure and become a Microsoft Certified Specialist:

  1. Start by getting familiar with the Azure platform and its various services. You can do this by taking online courses, reading documentation, and trying out Azure services in a free trial account.
  2. Next, you should focus on learning the specific skills and technologies that are relevant to the Microsoft Certified Specialist exam you are interested in. For example, if you want to become a Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate, you should focus on learning how to develop and deploy cloud applications using Azure.
  3. Practice your skills by building projects and experimenting with Azure services. This will help you gain hands-on experience and prepare for the exam.
  4. Consider taking a training course or online course to help you prepare for the exam. These courses often include practice exams and other resources to help you study.
  5. When you feel ready, schedule and take the exam. Be sure to allocate enough time to study and prepare before the exam.

I hope this helps! Good luck with your studies.

I am a Middle ASP.NET Developer. What next career opportunities can you suggest?

As a middle ASP.NET developer, you likely have a solid foundation in web development using the ASP.NET framework. Here are a few career opportunities that you may want to consider:

  1. Lead developer: As a lead developer, you would be responsible for leading a team of developers in building and maintaining software applications. This role typically requires strong technical skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively and manage a team.
  2. Solution architect: Solution architects design and plan the overall structure and functionality of a software solution. This role requires a strong understanding of software architecture and the ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
  3. Technical project manager: Technical project managers are responsible for managing the development of software projects. This role requires strong technical skills, as well as the ability to plan, coordinate, and communicate effectively with team members and stakeholders.
  4. DevOps engineer: DevOps engineers focus on improving the development and deployment process for software applications. This role requires a strong understanding of both development and operations, as well as the ability to automate processes and work with a variety of tools.

These are just a few examples of career opportunities that may be of interest to you as a middle ASP.NET developer. It's important to consider your strengths and interests when deciding on your next career step.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Microsoft Teams?

Microsoft Teams is a collaboration and communication platform that allows teams to chat, share files, and work on projects together. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of using Microsoft Teams:

Advantages:

  1. Collaboration: Microsoft Teams allows team members to collaborate in real-time, regardless of their location. This makes it easier for teams to work on projects together and stay up-to-date on the latest developments.
  2. Integration with other Microsoft products: Microsoft Teams integrates with other Microsoft products, such as OneDrive and Office 365. This makes it easy to access and share documents and other files.
  3. Customization: Microsoft Teams allows users to customize the platform to meet their specific needs. For example, users can add integrations with other tools and services, create custom tabs and channels, and more.

Disadvantages:

  1. Dependence on Microsoft products: Microsoft Teams is best suited for teams that are already using other Microsoft products. If your team is not already using these products, you may need to invest in them in order to fully utilize Microsoft Teams.
  2. Complexity: Microsoft Teams can be complex to use, especially for those who are not familiar with other Microsoft products. It may take some time for team members to get up to speed and become proficient with the platform.
  3. Limited customization: While Microsoft Teams does offer some customization options, it is not as customizable as some other collaboration platforms. This can be a disadvantage for teams with very specific needs or preferences.

Overall, Microsoft Teams is a powerful collaboration and communication platform that can be very useful for teams that are already using other Microsoft products. However, it may not be the best fit for teams that are looking for more customization or do not use Microsoft products extensively.

What is the next Microsoft’s rockstar product?

It’s difficult to predict which specific product will be the next “rockstar” for Microsoft, as the success of a product often depends on a variety of factors such as market demand, competition, and execution. That being said, Microsoft has a number of products and technologies that are currently gaining traction and could potentially become very popular in the future.

Some examples of products and technologies that Microsoft is currently focusing on and investing in include:

  1. Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Microsoft has a number of AI and machine learning products and services, including Azure Machine Learning, which allows developers to build and deploy machine learning models.
  2. Cloud computing: Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform is a major player in the cloud market, and the company is continually expanding and improving its offerings.
  3. Internet of Things (IoT): Microsoft has a number of products and services that are designed to enable IoT solutions, including Azure IoT Central and Azure IoT Hub.
  4. Virtual and augmented reality: Microsoft has a number of products and technologies in this space, including the HoloLens mixed reality headset and the Windows Mixed Reality platform.

It’s worth noting that these are just a few examples of areas where Microsoft is currently focusing its efforts, and the company is involved in many other product and technology areas as well.

Compare AI services from Microsoft Azure, Amazon AWS, and Google Cloud

All three major cloud providers — Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud — offer a range of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning services. Here is a comparison of some of the key AI services offered by each provider:

Microsoft Azure:

  • Azure Machine Learning: A cloud-based service that allows developers to build, deploy, and manage machine learning models.
  • Azure Bot Service: A service that allows developers to build and deploy chatbots that can interact with users via text or voice.
  • Azure Cognitive Services: A set of APIs and services that allow developers to add AI capabilities to their applications, such as image and speech recognition, language understanding, and more.

Amazon AWS:

  • Amazon SageMaker: A cloud-based service that allows developers to build, train, and deploy machine learning models.
  • Amazon Lex: A service that allows developers to build and deploy chatbots that can interact with users via text or voice.
  • Amazon Rekognition: An image and video recognition service that allows developers to add AI-powered object and scene detection, face recognition, and more to their applications.

Google Cloud:

  • Google Cloud AutoML: A cloud-based service that allows developers to build and train machine learning models using a simple, drag-and-drop interface.
  • Google Dialogflow: A service that allows developers to build and deploy chatbots that can interact with users via text or voice.
  • Google Cloud Vision API: An image and video recognition service that allows developers to add AI-powered object and scene detection, face recognition, and more to their applications.

Overall, all three providers offer a range of AI and machine learning services that allow developers to build and deploy AI-powered applications. The specific service that is the best fit for a particular project will depend on the specific requirements and needs of that project.

What do you recommend as a platform for webinars — Microsoft Teams or Zoom?

Both Microsoft Teams and Zoom are popular platforms for hosting webinars. Here are some points to consider when deciding which one to use:

  • Ease of use: Both Microsoft Teams and Zoom are user-friendly platforms that are relatively easy to use, especially if you are already familiar with other video conferencing tools. However, Microsoft Teams may be a better fit if you are already using other Microsoft products, as it integrates seamlessly with them.
  • Features: Both Microsoft Teams and Zoom offer a wide range of features for hosting webinars, including screen sharing, audio and video conferencing, and the ability to record meetings. However, Microsoft Teams may offer more features overall, as it is part of a larger suite of productivity tools.
  • Security: Both Microsoft Teams and Zoom have implemented various security measures to protect the privacy and security of their users. However, Microsoft Teams may have an advantage in this area, as it is a product of Microsoft, which has a long history of focusing on security.
  • Cost: Both Microsoft Teams and Zoom offer free and paid plans. The specific cost will depend on the features and capabilities you need, as well as the number of participants you plan to have.

Ultimately, the best platform for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. It may be helpful to try out both platforms and see which one works best for you.

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Oleksandr Krakovetskyi
The DevRain Tech Blog

CEO DevRain, CTO DonorUA, Microsoft Regional Director, Microsoft Artificial Intelligence Most Valuable Professional, Ph.D. in Computer Science.