Ask HN: best music to code to? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: best music to code to?

#11

Post by ceeK » Wed, Jan 15, 2014, 7:47 PM UTC

I don't particularly understand how people can code whilst listening to music. The two simply do not go hand in hand for me. I find it clouds my thought process why I'm trying to figure something out or reason about a bit of code. Even when I'm doing 'drone' programming I often think about where this bit of code fits in with the rest etc.

Sometimes I can listen to music without lyrics, but it has to be fairly calm and uneventful. Coffitivity is actually a pretty good thing for me.

Re: Ask HN: best music to code to?

#12

Post by andrew_gardener » Wed, Jan 15, 2014, 7:56 PM UTC

ceeK wrote: post #11

I don't particularly understand how people can code whilst listening to music. The two simply do not go hand in hand for me. I find it clouds my thought process why I'm trying to figure something out or reason about a bit of code. Even when I'm doing 'drone' programming I often think about where this bit of code fits in with the rest etc. Sometimes I can listen to music without lyrics, but it has to be fairly calm an…

It works differently for different people. For me it helps drown out background noise in the office and helps relax me so I can get in the zone. Its important to note that I play my music very low with headphone and with rather no lyrics or lyrics in a different language so that it doesn't distract me.

With all that said though, there is nothing worse than being subjected to a coworker's music choice. Having experienced this at different jobs, I can totally understand why other people avoid music at work like the plague.

Re: Ask HN: best music to code to?

#13

Post by andrew_gardener » Wed, Jan 15, 2014, 8:04 PM UTC

I usually listen to whatever is on the top of the list for anime radio stations (http://www.shoutcast.com/radio/Anime) while at work (since its easier to just stream some music).

At home I have a large collection of random music (some music from video games, anime, metal/electronic bands, parody/comedy songs, meme themed songs, etc)

Re: Ask HN: best music to code to?

#14

Post by thebrainkid » Wed, Jan 15, 2014, 8:57 PM UTC

when I'm coding, I like listening to classical, although I've also been liking swinghouse recently.

Re: Ask HN: best music to code to?

#15

Post by ragatskynet » Thu, Jan 16, 2014, 10:15 AM UTC

user_235711 wrote: post #6

I would recommend Boards of Canada[1] and Thievery Corporation[2] most of all. But really anything in the vein of what has been dubbed "chill" music works great for me due to the awesome atmospheres and driving beats. Here[3] is a list I made of some of the best albums IMO in that genre. [1] http://www.amazon.com/Boards-Of-Canada/e/B000APHPF8/ [2] http://www.amazon.com/Thievery-Corporation/e/B000APFP6E/ [3] http://ww…

I also listen to these when I am coding. Repetitive techno-like music can be also good, it depends on the mood.

Re: Ask HN: best music to code to?

#16

Post by ablutop » Thu, Jan 16, 2014, 10:26 AM UTC

ambient and downbeat http://divbyzero.de (also through http://divbyzeroambient.rad.io/ )

Re: Ask HN: best music to code to?

#17

Post by J_Darnley » Thu, Jan 16, 2014, 11:24 PM UTC

Whatever you like. My one suggestion is you listen to things that don't have lyrics or possibly even humming or other vocal elements. I find myself distracted by those.

I could list some of my favourites if anyone likes.

Re: Ask HN: best music to code to?

#18

Post by wturner » Fri, Jan 17, 2014, 9:48 PM UTC

I like massive attack instrumentals and hang drum solos.

Re: Ask HN: best music to code to?

#19

Post by johnsoga » Fri, Jan 17, 2014, 9:52 PM UTC

I can listen to almost anything. I usually end up having repeat on and can end up listening to the same songs 20-30 times before I even notice... and then the process repeats :)