Weird things you do when you're coding?
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When I'm coding in the comfort of my own home I have either 'The Simpsons' on or 'King of the Hill' in a loop - I've seen each episode many times but find the sound in the background helps my concentration. When I'm in a good run I also tend to put a double bass pedal under my desk so I can practice drumming while I work. Anyone else have any weird things you do when you're coding?
My Blog: http://www.dwmkerr.com
Must. Have. Music. If I don't, part of my brain tries to generate some, so by putting on some music to listen to, I've freed up more of my brain for programming. I prefer instrumentals or Pink Floyd (which is almost instrumental), oh, and Supertramp's Breakfast in America[^], some of the tracks remind me of the front panel on the DEC PDP-8/I[^] that I learned to program on.
Psychosis at 10 Film at 11 Those who do not remember the past, are doomed to repeat it. Those who do not remember the past, cannot build upon it.
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crank the tunes to match the mood of the code. I have at times sent an email out to teammates letting them know that I plan to spend the day in the land of iPod. different moods of music to match the code that I am writing. if it has been something difficult and frustrating then it's going to be some bass pounding or hard rocking music.
An a funeral march when the boss says you've got to revisit a VB6 application no ones used in years ;-)
My Blog: http://www.dwmkerr.com
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When I'm coding in the comfort of my own home I have either 'The Simpsons' on or 'King of the Hill' in a loop - I've seen each episode many times but find the sound in the background helps my concentration. When I'm in a good run I also tend to put a double bass pedal under my desk so I can practice drumming while I work. Anyone else have any weird things you do when you're coding?
My Blog: http://www.dwmkerr.com
I guess I'm no fun at all. When I'm coding anything serious, I turn off the music, adjust my chair and monitor to a comfortable position, get a fresh cuppa, and focus intently on what I am doing. I don't move except my fingertips and my eyeballs. The world disappears, usually for about 60 minutes, after which my body demands that I stand up and stretch. Yeah, I like to turn the music up and sing along, but I can only do that when I'm doing something boring and repetitive. I gotta wonder how much of their brain some of these other commenters are actually committing to the coding process.
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I taunt and yell at my screen based on how well things are going for me. You've actually stumbled upon a mechanism that allows you to keep your busy-bodied left brain busy, while your right brain takes over and does all of the thinking and problem solving. Sort of the same concept as fiddling with a pen or a paperclip in your hand while in a meeting, it's actually a way to help concentrate. I have always thought of that as fidgeting, but now that I understand it a bit more, I embrace things like that. It has made me much more productive. If you find this topic interesting, you would probably like Pragmatic Thinking and Learning[^] by Andy Hunt, he's one of the author's of The Pragmatic Programmer. That series in general is OK, but this book excellent.
Unrelated but: You have it reversed (at least statistically). Left brained activities account for logical reasoning, math, coding etc. The right hemisphere (usually) accounts for artistic creativity, expression, etc . There are exceptions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateralization_of_brain_function#Left_vs._right[^]
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When I'm coding in the comfort of my own home I have either 'The Simpsons' on or 'King of the Hill' in a loop - I've seen each episode many times but find the sound in the background helps my concentration. When I'm in a good run I also tend to put a double bass pedal under my desk so I can practice drumming while I work. Anyone else have any weird things you do when you're coding?
My Blog: http://www.dwmkerr.com
I usually end up having a full blown conversation with myself. Occasionally my wife or daughter passes by and ask whom I'm talking to.
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Classic Star Trek is the best when coding. Nothing beats Nomad exclaiming 'You are in error! You are imperfect!' when you have just compiled your project :) Of course not all the time and only when I work at home.
And from the clouds a mighty voice spoke:
"Smile and be happy, for it could come worse!"And I smiled and was happy
And it came worse.AT one point I had my sounds set to {Homer Simpson} Error: "Doh!" Success: "Press any key to continue. Where's the any key?" :)
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Unrelated but: You have it reversed (at least statistically). Left brained activities account for logical reasoning, math, coding etc. The right hemisphere (usually) accounts for artistic creativity, expression, etc . There are exceptions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateralization_of_brain_function#Left_vs._right[^]
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When I'm coding in the comfort of my own home I have either 'The Simpsons' on or 'King of the Hill' in a loop - I've seen each episode many times but find the sound in the background helps my concentration. When I'm in a good run I also tend to put a double bass pedal under my desk so I can practice drumming while I work. Anyone else have any weird things you do when you're coding?
My Blog: http://www.dwmkerr.com
I can't do any serious coding in I'm wearing shoes. Doesn't mater if I'm home by myself of at a client's office.
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When I'm coding in the comfort of my own home I have either 'The Simpsons' on or 'King of the Hill' in a loop - I've seen each episode many times but find the sound in the background helps my concentration. When I'm in a good run I also tend to put a double bass pedal under my desk so I can practice drumming while I work. Anyone else have any weird things you do when you're coding?
My Blog: http://www.dwmkerr.com
I sometimes talk to myself (ie tell myself the solution in code) - one time I talked out loud and a colleague said "oh thats how you do it" while a manager walked past. The manager gave us a strange look as if he thought we were using mental telepathy to communicate.
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Unrelated but: You have it reversed (at least statistically). Left brained activities account for logical reasoning, math, coding etc. The right hemisphere (usually) accounts for artistic creativity, expression, etc . There are exceptions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateralization_of_brain_function#Left_vs._right[^]
I got it right, however, I think you chose better word that I did. Left Brain generally knows facts and linear logical processing (arithmatic), direct facts that are explicitly known, which also includes your vocabulary, and don't forget the repetitive motions, like tapping on bass pedals. Right Brain, like you said, is creativity, expression, abstract problem solving. These are some of the traits that really make programming enjoyable when you can open the flood gates and express these thoughts rather than the two halves of your brain competing for your attention. Thanks for the link.
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When I'm coding in the comfort of my own home I have either 'The Simpsons' on or 'King of the Hill' in a loop - I've seen each episode many times but find the sound in the background helps my concentration. When I'm in a good run I also tend to put a double bass pedal under my desk so I can practice drumming while I work. Anyone else have any weird things you do when you're coding?
My Blog: http://www.dwmkerr.com
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When I'm coding in the comfort of my own home I have either 'The Simpsons' on or 'King of the Hill' in a loop - I've seen each episode many times but find the sound in the background helps my concentration. When I'm in a good run I also tend to put a double bass pedal under my desk so I can practice drumming while I work. Anyone else have any weird things you do when you're coding?
My Blog: http://www.dwmkerr.com