What do you visualize while programming?

But if you want to talk about REAL complex systems talk to a microprocessor logic owner or architect trying to shoot a bug.

A while ago we found a bug that could crash a system (fixed in a new RIT of the chip) if we did X then Y in state … we didn’t know.

Listening to the various leads for the sub-units on a phone call trying to reason about what was happening I found myself visualizing this increasingly complicated steam powered machine, with parts sprawling, tiny gears whirring, and bits zipping about whenever X happened.

It was humbling.

This happens when I get really OCD about things. I start to visualize fully-formed solutions to problerms. For a while I thought this was a superpower, but after experiencing it a few times, I noticed that when I got OCD, I couldn't be around other people, and my physical health dropped noticeably as I ignored food. I suspect a number of well-known mathematicians experience this.

Later in my career I became a solution architect and it was a struggle early. I think something like 99% of people in corporate are visual and literally could not understand the solutions I’d vocalize even when I’d talk to them like they were 5 years old. A more seasoned architect told me taught me sequence diagrams and abstractions. I got good at Powerpoint and my programming skills suffered as a result of using different parts of my brain more and less.

Then if you like it you can work your way backwards

If you like a more futuristic setting then Endless space 2. Or civilisation beyond earth is really fun to colonise another planet and research futuristic technology and alien biology.

If you like puzzle games with no time pressure SpaceChem.

These are my favs