While I do agree that stepping away from the computer helps for getting started or when you're stuck, I am more in line with people using CSS rather than Photoshop for prototyping. As the author wrote, converting thought to code is fairly easy, so by writing as I think, I free my mind from containing all the stuff I thought out already.
Want to write some code? Get away from your computer
61–64 of 64 posts
Re: Want to write some code? Get away from your computer
#62Earlier quoted context omitted.
A poor developer uses his tools to cover up the symptoms. A good developer fixes the root cause. The ability of the good developer to fix the root cause quickly and efficiently is bounded by the quality of their tools. If you want to claim that a good developer will find it no matter what, fine, but don't tell me the developer with better tools won't be able to do it faster ; it's almost the definition of "better too…
The root cause of every problem is that I don't fully understand my code. A debugger can only show you what the code happens to do in one particular scenario. The fear is that people are doing that and fixing only obvious mistakes as a substitute for static analysis and diligent review of the code leading to a correct model in their head of how it would handle any scenario. It's like declaring a bridge to be sound be…
"Doctor, it hurts when I do this." "Don't do that."
That fact that other people can misuse a tool is a really stupid reason to not use it yourself. I've had great success in using debuggers to identify which assumption I was wrong about when the code did something unexpected. If you're so awesome that you never make bad assumptions about your code... you're probably not pushing yourself hard enough. Perhaps that's your job's fault. I'm pushing myself to my limits in my job, and I'll take all the help I can get.
Re: Want to write some code? Get away from your computer
#63Earlier quoted context omitted.
A poor developer uses his tools to cover up the symptoms. A good developer fixes the root cause. The ability of the good developer to fix the root cause quickly and efficiently is bounded by the quality of their tools. If you want to claim that a good developer will find it no matter what, fine, but don't tell me the developer with better tools won't be able to do it faster ; it's almost the definition of "better too…
A developer who can match his peers without using a debugger while they do, is clearly a superior developer. This should be intuitively obvious. It's just the catalyzing power of the internet that drives people to the extreme of insisting one should never, ever use a debugger. Or a plane.
If said developer can match his peers without using a debugger, then he'd do even better with a debugger. A tool is just that, it can only assist you in performing a task.
Re: Want to write some code? Get away from your computer
#64For myself it goes one of two ways, I can actually write the layout on a text editor or I like to go to the park when hardly anyone is there and just walk around. It takes my mind off the problem, thus leading to a solution I never thought I would have gotten.