About
Welcome to Cloud & Code, where modern cloud principles intersect with comprehensive topics in software engineering, solutions architecture, and cloud services. Whether you’re developing cloud-native systems, managing legacy infrastructures, or architecting large-scale solutions, this blog is your resource for actionable insights and best practices.
While Cloud First approaches are frequently a topic here, this blog also explores various subjects related to building, securing, and scaling robust software systems. You’ll find strategies that enhance performance, security, scalability, and efficiency across all types of projects.
Cloud services have transformed how we design, build, and deploy software. Even if your project isn’t fully cloud-native or will never be a project fit for the cloud, integrating cloud-driven strategies can future-proof your systems and streamline development processes.
In my first post, I explore the concept of a ‘Cloud First’ approach—a fundamental philosophy woven into much of this blog’s content. This approach delivers immediate value and sets you up for long-term success as you transition your product to cloud-native solutions or modernize your existing non-cloud solutions.
In the future, expect posts covering:
- Core software engineering principles
- Solution architecture design patterns
- DevOps practices for seamless integration and deployment
- Security strategies for modern applications
- Cost control and operational efficiency in the cloud
- And, of course, how Cloud First approaches ties into all these areas.
About Me
My name is Kevin Zehrer. I am a Software Engineer and Solutions Architect Consultant. I started programming many years ago on a dial-up teletype and have since worked on everything from embedded systems to desktops, mobile devices, servers, and cloud services. I have worked with many operating systems and developed solutions using several languages, from low-level assembly to managed languages such as C#, which I have worked with for over twenty years since .NET Framework version 1.1.
I have worked for companies ranging from a tiny three-person company to a Fortune 50 enterprise. I have worked as an FTE and a consultant across several business domains. I have seen and been involved with many successful and less successful projects that have revealed a consistent set of development and operational patterns that set up for success or result in circumstances doomed for failure.
While I have worked on several full-stack line-of-business projects, the primary focus of my career has been developing back-end and cloud services, building foundational infrastructure libraries, designing architectures, salvaging at-risk projects, driving operational efficiencies, and optimizing code performance, reliability, and scalability. With that in mind, many topics here will focus on efficiency, productivity, performance, scalability, maintainability, and overall best practices.
I hope you find these explorations of cloud services, software solutions, and architecture insightful and thought-provoking. Please contact me with any ideas you believe would be great topics for future posts.