What do you do while it compiles?

#1

Post by bvrlt » Thu, May 31, 2018, 9:24 AM UTC

You're working on your project and iterating on, for instance, UI fixes. Compiling and launching your project takes 20 seconds. What do you do during these 20 seconds? (eg. read the news, Twitter, …) Do you feel it affects your focus?

Re: What do you do while it compiles?

#2

Post by GrumpyNl » Thu, May 31, 2018, 10:10 AM UTC

Wow, old days, working with clipper, it took between 15 and 40 minutes. We went to the bar and hoped the compiler didnt break the moment we entered the bar.

Re: What do you do while it compiles?

#3

Post by cimmanom » Thu, May 31, 2018, 10:40 AM UTC

20-40 seconds? That's not enough time for a full context switch.

Take an eye break (look at something more than 20 feet away). Stand and stretch your back. Do a few desk-friendly stretches or exercises (curls, squats). Go to the kitchen for a beverage refill.

Somewhere around the 5 min mark for a wait it becomes time to check email, etc.

Re: What do you do while it compiles?

#4

Post by bvrlt » Thu, May 31, 2018, 11:41 AM UTC

cimmanom wrote: post #3

20-40 seconds? That's not enough time for a full context switch. Take an eye break (look at something more than 20 feet away). Stand and stretch your back. Do a few desk-friendly stretches or exercises (curls, squats). Go to the kitchen for a beverage refill. Somewhere around the 5 min mark for a wait it becomes time to check email, etc.

It's not enough for a full context switch but if you start opening your email, you might stay there longer than the 20-40 seconds and become a full context switch.

Eye break is a great idea.

Re: What do you do while it compiles?

#5

Post by fmkamchatka » Thu, May 31, 2018, 11:43 AM UTC

I like to use Focus (https://heyfocus.com/) on the Mac to prevent myself from actually doing these context switches.

Re: What do you do while it compiles?

#6

Post by cimmanom » Thu, May 31, 2018, 1:37 PM UTC

bvrlt wrote: post #4

cimmanom wrote: post #3

20-40 seconds? That's not enough time for a full context switch. Take an eye break (look at something more than 20 feet away). Stand and stretch your back. Do a few desk-friendly stretches or exercises (curls, squats). Go to the kitchen for a beverage refill. Somewhere around the 5 min mark for a wait it becomes time to check email, etc.

It's not enough for a full context switch but if you start opening your email, you might stay there longer than the 20-40 seconds and become a full context switch. Eye break is a great idea.

Exactly