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How to code faster?

Started by October 27, 2010 04:13 PM
27 comments, last by phresnel 14 years, 2 months ago
Hi!

I found that there is a HUGE difference when I'm totally focused vs. when my mind is jumbled.
I can code MUCH faster when I manage to think about nothing else than the software.

Do you have any tips how to achieve that state more often?

I read Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's "Flow", but I'll appreciate some ideas as related to computer programming :-)
Quote:
Original post by Tubos
Hi!

I found that there is a HUGE difference when I'm totally focused vs. when my mind is jumbled.
I can code MUCH faster when I manage to think about nothing else than the software.

Do you have any tips how to achieve that state more often?

I read Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's "Flow", but I'll appreciate some ideas as related to computer programming :-)


i have the same problem but my one is stranger! before i start doing some coding, i basically play a few games of chess with the computer (to wake up my brain cells i guess) and i can basically destroy ratings up to 2000 in grand master, about 3000 is max rating. yet sometimes after i have finished playing chess and start coding my brain just "refuses" to think, it's like my brain has a brain of it's own lol! i would say an empty stomach and boredom can affect learning in a bad way.

you might wanna try meditating before programming!
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I find the strongest correlation to coding well and not is the previous days sleep. So get enough sleep, don't eat after 8 and do a small exercise routine during the morning after waking up (jog or walk), I find that works well for me.

-ddn
A meaningful todo list with small, bite sized chunks. Sometimes it helps to almost finish a task before stopping and then finish the task tomorrow so you start the day off with an accomplishment.
Practice.


Eventually you can get to a point where you can drop into the zone at will. It's all about getting practice.

Wielder of the Sacred Wands
[Work - ArenaNet] [Epoch Language] [Scribblings]

For me is food. Good breakfast can make diff. To ramp up the brain's processing capabilities, fuel is needed. Otherwise, the whole day will be a fuzzy mess, and wasted on mindless youtube sessions.
Latest project: Sideways Racing on the iPad
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Quote:
Original post by GroZZleR
A meaningful todo list with small, bite sized chunks. Sometimes it helps to almost finish a task before stopping and then finish the task tomorrow so you start the day off with an accomplishment.


This. I am using gToDo, though I began writing my own hyper minimalistic todo-list manager that feels like gToDo, but with some more feature and cross-platform.

Also, it helps a ton if you find your own perfect coding time. Mine is in the morning, often before labour.

The right music can help, too. I can totally get in flow when listening to some spacy idm-tunes, for instance.
Quote:
Original post by ddn3
I find the strongest correlation to coding well and not is the previous days sleep.
This. Applies to non-coding activities too.
Quote:
Original post by samoth
Quote:
Original post by ddn3
I find the strongest correlation to coding well and not is the previous days sleep.
This. Applies to non-coding activities too.


Except for sleeping.
Quote:
Original post by phresnel
Quote:
Original post by samoth
Quote:
Original post by ddn3
I find the strongest correlation to coding well and not is the previous days sleep.
This. Applies to non-coding activities too.


Except for sleeping.


Or falling down stairs.

I fall down stairs way better when I've had less sleep.
_______________________"You're using a screwdriver to nail some glue to a ming vase. " -ToohrVyk

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