Part 1 - Develop a VS Code Extension for Your Capstone Project
API Guardian - My Capstone Project As software and APIs evolve, developers encounter significant difficulties in maintaining and updating API endpoints. Breaking changes can lead to system instability, while outdated or unclear documentation makes maintenance less efficient. These challenges are further compounded by the time-consuming nature of updating dependencies and the tendency to prioritize new features over maintenance tasks. The absence of effective tools and processes to tackle these issues reduces overall productivity and developer efficiency. To address this, API Guardian was created as a Visual Studio Code extension that identifies API endpoints in a project and checks their functionality before deployment. This solution was developed to help developers save time spent fixing issues caused by breaking or non-breaking changes and to alleviate the difficulties in performing maintenance due to unclear or outdated documentation. Features and Capabilities This extension has 3 main features: Feature 1. Developers can decide if the extension will scan or skip specified files in the project. Press “Enter” to scan/skip all files. Type the file name (e.g., main.py) and press “Enter” to scan/skip a single file. Type file names with a delimiter (e.g., main.py | pythonFile.py) and press “Enter” to scan/skip multiple files. Feature 2. Custom hover messages when developers mouse over identified APIs This hover message will vary based on the status of the APIs. If the API returns a success status, the hover message will only show the completed API and its status. However, if an error occurs, the hover message will include this additional information: (1) API Name, (2) Official API Link, (3) Error Message, (4) Title of Recommended Fix and (5) Link to the Recommended Fix. Feature 3. Excel Report with Details of Identified APIs After all the identified APIs have been tested, an excel report will exported with the following information to allow developers to easily identify the APIs in the project. What Technology and Products does it involved? Building a Visual Studio Code extension and publishing it to the Visual Studio Marketplace involves a mix of technologies and tools. The project was initiated using the NPM package, generator-code, to set up a JavaScript project for developing the extension. All the extension's logic will be developed and managed within the "extension.js" file generated during the setup process. Once ready for deployment, we will package the extension using "vsce" to generate a ".vsix" file, which will then be used for deployment to the Visual Studio Code Marketplace. The deployment process involves requiring the user to create a publishing account and using tools like vsce to upload and manage the extension's version, updates, and metadata. As part of this process, you would need to create a Personal Access Token (PAT) from Azure DevOps. This token is used to verify your identity and authenticate the publishing tool, allowing you to securely upload your extension to the Visual Studio Marketplace. The PAT provides the necessary permissions for tasks such as version management, publishing new releases, and updating the extension metadata. What did I learn? Throughout this journey, I learned not just about the technical stack but also about the value of detailed project setup and secure publishing processes. While the technical steps can be challenging, they’re incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to dive deeper into it moving forward. I’m looking forward to exploring how the extension can be further improved and enhanced. If you're interested in learning more about how my API guidance was built, keep an eye out for my next post! API Guardian https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=APIGuardian-vsc.api About the Authors Main Author - Ms Joy Cheng Yee Shing, BSc (Hon) Computing Science Academic Supervisor - Dr Peter Yau, Microsoft MVP120 Days Study Plan to Become an AI-Focused Full-Stack Software Engineer
Hello there, my name is Oumaima, and I am an MLSA student ambassador from Morocco, studying at the University Of The People. Welcome to the first step in my exciting, unpredictable journey, one I’ve chosen to embark on with you! For the past three years, I’ve watched the AI industry evolve dramatically. Generative AI has shifted from a fascinating experiment to an integral part of our everyday lives, whether at school, work, or even in our personal routines. In fact, my ChatGPT app is now my go-to therapist, lawyer, and all-around advisor! As a software engineering student for over three years, I’ve seen the growth of generative AI up close. But this shift didn’t just inspire me; it made me realize that I don’t want to remain only a consumer of this technology. I want to contribute to it! Seeing AI’s ability to mimic human thought, draw connections from vast amounts of information, and deliver impressive results sparked something in me. It showed me that the best way to break into AI might just be to use AI itself as my guide. That’s when the idea came to ask ChatGPT O1-preview for a personalized study plan, crafted uniquely for me. It takes into account my available time, coding background, learning preferences, mental health, and energy. Here’s how my journey began with a simple prompt: I want to become an AI-focused full-stack software engineer and have 120 days to dedicate to this goal. Please create a detailed 120-day study plan tailored for me, dedicating 3-4 hours daily. The study plan should: - Cover all essential topics including programming foundations, data structures and algorithms (DS&A), mathematics for AI, machine learning fundamentals, deep learning, advanced AI topics, integrating AI into applications, web development basics for AI integration, advanced web development, full-stack project development, scripting, DevOps, and career development. - Include weekly breakdowns and daily tasks. - Provide recommended resources for each topic (e.g., online courses, tutorials, documentation). - Suggest hands-on projects or exercises to apply the concepts learned. - Incorporate tips for success, such as active engagement, seeking feedback, balancing depth and breadth, and maintaining well-being. - Emphasize developing all the skills that will make me an irreplaceable software developer, including scripting and DevOps skills. - Conclude with a summary and final advice. Please ensure the plan is structured, comprehensive, and practical for someone balancing work and study. Then it generated the following plan, that I tried to follow by using Microsoft Learn learning paths that offer in depth trainings on each topic I got: Days 1–25: Programming Foundations & Data Structures and Algorithms (DS&A) Microsoft Learn path suggestion: Python for beginners Days 26–50: Mathematics for AI & Machine Learning Fundamentals Microsoft Learn path suggestion: Introduction to machine learning Days 51–80: Deep Learning & Advanced AI Topics Microsoft Learn path suggestion: Train and evaluate deep learning models Days 81–100: Integrating AI into Applications Microsoft Learn path suggestion: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals: Generative AI Days 101–115: Advanced Web Development & Full-Stack Project Development Microsoft Learn path suggestion: Build an AI web app by using Python and Flask Days 116–120: Portfolio Projects and Industry Trends. Not going to lie, the roadmap turned out to be even more exciting than I’d expected! When I asked for it, I specified that it should guide me through developing problem-solving skills directly tied to full-stack development. I wanted a path that not only sharpens my abilities but also allows me to build interesting, hands-on applications where I can see the results of what I’m learning. And now, my friends, the journey has officially begun! I’ll be following the roadmap closely, documenting my weekly progress to learn AI, noting the challenges, and celebrating the accomplishments. The goal is to see if artificial intelligence can really help create a customized study plan that aligns with my personal goals, circumstances, and unique learning rhythm. So, stay tuned — this is only the beginning! See you in my first step with DSA!AI-900: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals Study Guide
This comprehensive study guide provides a thorough overview of the topics covered in the Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) exam, including Artificial Intelligence workloads, fundamental principles of machine learning, computer vision and natural language processing workloads. Learn about the exam's intended audience, how to earn the certification, and the skills measured as of April 2022. Discover the important considerations for responsible AI, the capabilities of Azure Machine Learning Studio and more. Get ready to demonstrate your knowledge of AI and ML concepts and related Microsoft Azure services with this helpful study guide.
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