Ask HN: What do you listen to when you code?

#1

Post by netconnect » Tue, Aug 18, 2009, 4:56 AM UTC

I like to listen to indie rock whenever I'm writing anything, other people I know think that classical or tribal (ugh.) music is the way to go.

What gets your mind going? Do you need total silence or are you incapable of coding without your favourite tunes?

Re: Ask HN: What do you listen to when you code?

#2

Post by gnosis » Tue, Aug 18, 2009, 5:24 AM UTC

If the coding is routine, I sometimes listen to my favorite music (EBM or psy/goa trance) while coding. I especially like to listen to music while coding if I'm in a noisy environment (earplugs are good too).

However, when I get to a really difficult problem, I prefer total silence without any distractions. Again, earplugs are good for that. But if I need to, I'll go for a walk somewhere quiet to think about it (somewhere with a whiteboard, and/or maybe talk the problem over with a friend/colleague). Or I might even have to sleep on it. In all of these cases, there's no music involved. Music is more for the relatively easy/routine coding.

Re: Ask HN: What do you listen to when you code?

#3

Post by larrykubin » Tue, Aug 18, 2009, 5:27 AM UTC

Lately:

Rock (Tool, Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd, Rage, Muse) Post-Rock (Explosions in the Sky, Mono, Pelican, Mogwai) Hip-Hop (A Tribe Called Quest, Gang Starr, Outkast, Digable Planets, The Coup)

The post-rock/instrumental stuff probably works the best since you aren't tempted to sing, and it helps to listen to something that is a little more repetitive.

Re: Ask HN: What do you listen to when you code?

#4

Post by neoclassical » Tue, Aug 18, 2009, 5:43 AM UTC

Slayer.

If that's not available, I love classical.

Re: Ask HN: What do you listen to when you code?

#5

Post by bayareaguy » Tue, Aug 18, 2009, 5:45 AM UTC

I like the classical and chill selections at http://icebergradio.com

Re: Ask HN: What do you listen to when you code?

#6

Post by p01nd3xt3r » Tue, Aug 18, 2009, 5:59 AM UTC

southern gangster rap

Re: Ask HN: What do you listen to when you code?

#7

Post by mburney » Tue, Aug 18, 2009, 6:09 AM UTC

Bach. I find it perfect for coding because Bach is mathematically and algorithmically beautiful so it gets the mind working in those ways.

I find IDM, electronica to work pretty well too. Autechre, for instance.

Re: Ask HN: What do you listen to when you code?

#8

Post by dbz » Tue, Aug 18, 2009, 6:11 AM UTC

If I am at my house, then I like blasting the music as high as possible. Me sometimes getting up and dancing really isn't a problem because it only means that I'm in a good mood and the coding is easier. (Of course I sit back down and code vigorously to make up for lost time afterwards.) However, if I am in a public place, coding can be hard because I don't like hearing people shouting (who does? the shouter?) so I prefer silence in that case, but when you are at home and have the ability, whatever music you like- you should play.

I listen to a lot of hip hop and rap, so I start break dancing and crypt walking. Pretty sweet I know =p

Re: Ask HN: What do you listen to when you code?

#9

Post by mindhacker » Tue, Aug 18, 2009, 6:14 AM UTC

http://www.simplynoise.com/

http://www.simplynoise.com/download.html#soundscapes

Re: Ask HN: What do you listen to when you code?

#10

Post by sid » Tue, Aug 18, 2009, 6:14 AM UTC

Anything really (rock to trance), but i will turn it off when i have a really difficult problem that i havnt solved before or if i am learning something new.