I ran across this image on Facebook (thanks Memories). It prompted me to ask myself what am I studying currently, and I thought I would share that with you. Side note: I think I’m addicted to drop caps.

This is the first of probably several posts. This post will be what I’m studying that is technical-based. The second will cover what I’m studying for personal enjoyment. After that, I’ll do an occasional one to show off what I’m studying now.

First up, Azure. As a Microsoft service engineer, this is a must-do. What in that, however, am I looking at? Three things: automating via PowerShell, Azure Kubernetes, SQL, and Azure Data Factory.

Second, Powershell. Definitely more Azure PowerShell than just plain PS. I’m doing a lot of automation for various security and configuration-related items. Always remember to set the context (Set-AzContext), as I can’t tell you how many times this has bit me.

Third, Kubernetes and Helm: I help manage a kubernetes cluster, so I’m always looking for ways to make things better. Helm is a way of managing dependencies, but for me, it’s more about the ability to update an application set without having to learn how the kubectl patching syntax goes. Side note: it’s ugly, but it’s in json, whereas k8s files are typically in YAML (ugh, don’t get me started on YAML).

Fourth, Azure SQL. I’m a bit behind on my studying there. This series from Anna Hoffman and Bob Ward should help. I’m alsow working through the labs here.

Fifth, Azure DataFactory. We’re doing some data ingestion work, so I needed to get up to speed quickly on Azure Data Factory. This beginner series by Cathrine Wilhemnson (b|t) has been really helpful. I even have it in Git (source control rocks) and am able to get things working as I need them to.

Sixth, Azure DevOps. Specifically, pipelines and YAML. Now, everyone knows I hate #yaml (see examples below), but I have to do it for my day job. And I’m reasonably good at it. So start here and have fun. I’m sure I’ll post examples soon enough.

And there you have it. A small sampling of what I am learning, both for my day job and for my own amusement, in the technical realm. As a service engineer, we run the wide gamut of tech, and I have barely touched on what I do and have done as a service engineer and system administrator.

Til next time!