Editor's note
I put together a pretty wide mix this time: language updates, core framework fundamentals, architecture, and a strong AI/data streak. The C# 14 piece and the SQL Server vector-search demo stand out because they show where the platform is headed, while the DBNull and binding-source articles are the kind of practical refreshers people still need.
C# 14 features, agentic AI, and SQL Server search
Jasen Fici
March 05, 2026
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Today's Articles
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Jasen's take on today's picks
The best new features of C# 14
A solid look at what’s new in C# 14, and why it matters for everyday language work rather than just release-note trivia.
Dealing with DB Null: Solving the Object cannot be cast from DB Null to other types Error in C#
A practical reminder that DBNull handling still bites real applications; the examples here are useful for any database-heavy codebase.
Simple topic, but string reversal is a good way to think about APIs, immutability, and when micro-optimizations actually matter.
The Sinking Ship: Protecting .NET Microservices with the Bulkhead Pattern
Bulkhead is one of those patterns that pays off the first time a dependency starts failing under load.
Understanding Assemblies in .NET: Concepts Every Developer Should Know
A useful primer on assemblies versus DLLs, NuGet, and strong naming for anyone cleaning up terminology on a team.
Powering the New Microsoft Agent Framework with Gemini 3.x
Interesting intersection of Microsoft’s agent stack and Gemini; worth reading if you’re tracking where agentic .NET is going.
Agentic RAG for Everyone Using Azure SQL, OpenAI, and Web Apps
The title says RAG, but the real value is the broader Azure SQL/OpenAI demo flow and how these pieces get wired together.
The Diamond Problem and Why Interfaces are the Solution
Interfaces solving the diamond problem is classic OOP material, and this one keeps the explanation approachable.
From Spaghetti to Clean Architecture: How to Decouple EF Core without Over-Engineering
A good “real-world refactor” piece: decouple EF Core without turning the codebase into an architecture science project.
Binding Sources in ASP .NET Core
Binding sources are easy to overlook until a request comes in wrong; this is a helpful ASP.NET Core refresher.
The End of Boilerplate: How Visual Studio 2026 is Automating the Testing Lifecycle
Visual Studio automation for testing could save a lot of repetitive setup if it lands well in everyday repos.
HTTP Retries Done Right: The Factory Pattern
Retries are deceptively hard; the factory-pattern angle is a nice way to think about making them safer and more consistent.
Smarter Queries Start Here: Vector Search in SQL Server & Azure SQL DB
Vector search in SQL Server is a big deal for people blending relational data with AI-style retrieval.
How to Classify Documents using AI in C#/.NET
Document classification with AI is a practical use case, not a demo for demo’s sake, and it fits real pipeline work.