Editor's note
I kept this issue deliberately mixed, from language-level C# cleanups to platform and AI work. The Visual Studio productivity update and the .NET 10 preview pieces are especially useful if you track what’s landing next, while the RAG and Copilot articles reflect where day-to-day workflows are heading.
C# tips, Azure AI, and .NET 10 previews
Jasen Fici
March 11, 2025
As Tuesday rolls around, much like a vintage vinyl on a steady turntable, it's the perfect day to pause and ponder the .NET landscape. With the precision of a seasoned chess master, this edition is crafted to challenge your skills and expand your toolkit. Each article is a carefully selected gem, offering insights that will enhance your coding prowess while sparking an introspective "aha!" moment or two. Let's journey through this digital symphony and master the .NET groove like only Gen X can.
Today's Articles
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Jasen's take on today's picks
C# Local Functions: Your Secret Weapon for Cleaner Code
Local functions are still one of the easiest ways to tighten up C# without overengineering the method.
Journey 2: Build the Ultimate Retrieval System for RAG
This RAG walkthrough is about building retrieval the right way, not just wiring up an API and hoping for answers.
Understanding AI-assisted coding workflows
AI-assisted coding works best as a workflow, and this piece focuses on the discipline behind the tools.
Microsoft Fabric: Writing to OneLake with .NET C#
Writing to OneLake with .NET is a practical look at how Fabric meets app code in the real world.
.NET Monthly - February 2025 - Visual Studio update, .NET Aspire 9.1, .NET 10 Preview 1, and more!
The monthly roundup is the fastest way to catch Visual Studio, Aspire, and .NET 10 changes in one pass.
What is an On-Behalf-Of (OBO) Token and How to Use It
OBO tokens are one of those identity patterns that are simple in concept and easy to get wrong in practice.
Implement Scalar UI in .NET API with Authorization Option
Scalar UI with authorization is a good reminder that developer tooling still needs to respect API security.
The Power of Underscore (_) in C#
The underscore article leans into a small syntax choice that can still improve readability and intent.
Carcass in Azure Functions: Part 1 — Durable Functions, High-Performance Logging & FunctionContext
This Azure Functions piece is interesting for the logging and FunctionContext details as much as the durable workflow.
Code Refactoring Using Copilot: The Copilot Show - Ep. 5
Copilot-based refactoring is useful when you want examples of AI helping with real code changes, not hype.
Fix Error “Too Many Transient Failure Retries Permanent Exception”
Transient failure retries only look harmless until they become permanent noise, so this troubleshooting article earns its keep.
Azure Private DNS Resolver using Outbound Endpoint
Private DNS Resolver outbound endpoints are niche, but they matter once Azure networking gets serious.
How to Implement Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) in .NET Using OpenAI API
RAG in .NET with OpenAI is a practical companion to the retrieval-system video and shows the app-side implementation.
Unlock .NET Efficiency: Data Structures Every Dev Must Know
Data structure choices are still one of the fastest ways to improve .NET performance without changing architecture.
Code Breakdown — Dependency Injection in .NET
A dependency injection breakdown is always worth a read because the basics still drive most production code.
C# 14 Features in .NET 10 Preview 1: What Developers Need to Know
C# 14 in .NET 10 Preview 1 is the kind of preview coverage that helps teams plan ahead.
Harnessing .NET 10’s Numeric String Comparison: A Game-Changer for Your Code
Numeric string comparison in .NET 10 sounds small, but it can simplify code that deals with mixed values.
Great new productivity features in Visual Studio
Visual Studio's productivity updates are the sort of day-to-day improvements developers feel immediately.
The case against IAsyncEnumerable
The case against IAsyncEnumerable is useful because it pushes you to think about tradeoffs, not assumptions.
Embracing True Asynchronous Programming in .NET
True asynchronous programming is a good counterpoint here, since async design is often about intent as much as syntax.
.NET Core Web API Project Setup Guide
A clean Web API setup guide is always handy for onboarding or resetting a project the right way.
Naming the Numerical Chaos: .NET 10’s String Comparison Revolution
Another take on numeric string comparison, which shows how much attention this .NET 10 change is getting.
Bringing Digital Voices to Life: Azure AI Text-to-Speech Avatar
Azure AI text-to-speech avatars sit at the intersection of media, AI, and application building.
Microsoft .NET Code Analysis: Creating Empty Arrays
Empty array guidance may sound minor, but these code-analysis details add up in performance-sensitive code.