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"Do you listen to music while coding?" An analysis.

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Re: "Do you listen to music while coding?" An analysis.

#11

Post by Tycho »

I now listen to white noise while coding. I have an mp3 called 'Lost In Space' from a CD called 'White Noise Therapy,' which I play on repeat. It's the sort of sound effect they use in sci fi films when a big space freighter drifts onto screen. It helps because I can turn it up to shut out other sounds, but there's nothing there to follow or analyse whatsoever. I get a nice clear head with that.

Sometimes though if my concentration is more robust for whatever reason then I can afford to listen to some music - usually instrumental jazz or classical.

Re: "Do you listen to music while coding?" An analysis.

#13

Post by blhack »

I actually listen to television while coding, almost always Futurama or It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. I've gone through all of the seasons of Futurama 3-4 times in the last couple of months (at least it seems that way), and gone through the latest season of "Sunny" about the same.

Something about Futurama especially is just the right (I don't have a property to describe this...) color to keep my brain right in the sweet spot.

I actually feel a bit bad for netflix because of this. I'm almost constantly streaming futurama in my house, it wouldn't surprise me if they were losing money on me as a customer.

Re: "Do you listen to music while coding?" An analysis.

#15

Post by hkon »

tomstuart wrote: post #5

I find it very hard to concentrate while listening to music, but even harder while overhearing other people's conversations, so occasionally the headphones must go on. Of course, headphones also mildly discourage others from interrupting, but that's no way to live your life.

Oh the joy of an open office landscape!

Re: "Do you listen to music while coding?" An analysis.

#17

Post by InclinedPlane »

tomstuart wrote: post #5

I find it very hard to concentrate while listening to music, but even harder while overhearing other people's conversations, so occasionally the headphones must go on. Of course, headphones also mildly discourage others from interrupting, but that's no way to live your life.

For the life of me I don't understand why cubicles are the norm for developer offices. There have been numerous studies showing the productivity effects of open offices vs individual offices. And many more studies on the importance of concentration and the destructive power of interruptions.

Do people value programmer productivity so little that they're willing to throw so much of it away to save a few dollars in real estate costs?

Re: "Do you listen to music while coding?" An analysis.

#18

Post by jakerocheleau »

It may seem cliche fancy but I can go for hours with smooth jazz sax in the background. no lyrics help me focus on the task at hand while my mind can be in a relaxing/stimulating environment.

By this I mean most jazz music is slow-tempered and chill-out while also offering impressive musical talent for lead instruments (sax solos, piano, strings...). This is just what works for me - a buddy of mine swears on the Kingdom Hearts soundtrack.

Re: "Do you listen to music while coding?" An analysis.

#19

Post by anonymous246 »

tomstuart wrote: post #5

I find it very hard to concentrate while listening to music, but even harder while overhearing other people's conversations, so occasionally the headphones must go on. Of course, headphones also mildly discourage others from interrupting, but that's no way to live your life.

Brown noise (from simplynoise.com) works wonders for me. I can work in a room with the TV on!

Re: "Do you listen to music while coding?" An analysis.

#20

Post by jfb »

DevX101 wrote: post #7

I don't listen to music with words. My brain's language processing unit goes into action, and disrupts my ability to code. Instrumentals, electronic music, or classical music are fine.

This. 100% this. Although, there are times, particularly when deep-diving into someone else's trainwreck, where you know that futility and defeat are the order of the day, when I'll put on Godspeed! You Black Emperor's "Dead Flag Blues":

  The car's on fire, there's no driver at the wheel
  and the sewers are all muddied with a thousand lonely suicides.
Sorta sets the mood.
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