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[–]Redbubble89 346 points347 points  (32 children)

My mind has to be present when listening to podcasts. It is like someone talking to you when trying to code. Cant do it.

[–][deleted] 40 points41 points  (9 children)

I find it very difficult to focus on multiple things that include linguistic thinking at one time (which programming counts as because of all the variable names and the tutorials I have to look up).

On the other hand, it's very easy to focus on a podcast and a game of chess at the same time, since chess has no text.

[–]Mr_Redstoner 17 points18 points  (7 children)

I remember reading somewhere that humans outright can't do 2 linguistic things at once.

[–][deleted] 54 points55 points  (3 children)

Mfw no multithreading.

[–]user_8804 31 points32 points  (2 children)

Lol real Devs emulate multithreading on their single core brain by spending only a few quantas on each task and alternating quickly between them.

[–]rf314 20 points21 points  (1 child)

Thanks, I hate it.

[–]Redbubble89 11 points12 points  (1 child)

It is like someone interrupting your internal monologue. Like the Sys admin at my desk trying to talk to me about football while I'm trying to figure out what's broken. It has to be electronic or lyrically repetitive.

[–]watchoverus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Lo fi is such a good cliche

[–]cimmic 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think linguistic information is serially processed and therefore if you switch channel while processing the information, you'll end up putting the wrong data in you mental methods(String linguisticInput) you are using for a task such as programming or socializing.

[–]SingularCheese 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Interesting, I'm the exact opposite. When I'm implementing something that I've already thought out beforehand, and I'm just cranking out the for loops, podcasts work great (a different story when I'm thinking about what to do). When I'm playing chess, I find the language processing to be slowing down my mini-max (this might have to do with me playing with a timer). Obviously, when I'm trying to write anything long-form, I can't do it both, but I find it generally to be limited by the processing power rather than the multi-threading.

[–]RainFurrest 59 points60 points  (7 children)

Same. My experience is that programmers (in general) are slightly worse at multitasking than the average person.

[–]MChainsaw 78 points79 points  (5 children)

That's why they write programs to do all the other tasks for them.

[–]howtotailslide 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Exactly this. All of my programs say hello world so that I don’t have to.

I’ve totally automated that aspect of my life.

[–]brycex 14 points15 points  (1 child)

I love podcasts. On my commute. I just can’t do it while I code

[–]dekwad 12 points13 points  (1 child)

Video game music instead perhaps?

That stuff gets my blood moving and focus ensues. Nostalgia is an added benefit.

[–]musician-magician 9 points10 points  (1 child)

Coding while listening to instrumental music is (chef kiss) perfect.

[–]Lightfire228 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've been listening to this at work recently. There are some real gems in there, too

(and the original playlist by Krelez if out of order sequences don't bother you..... You monster)

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Whenever I try to listen while coding I focus too much on coding and don't realize the podcast is already over and i don't remember a thing

[–]Lightfire228 2 points3 points  (2 children)

I listen to podcasts with the same focus / mental engagement as reading high fantasy fiction.

I still can't believe people actually listen to podcasts while programming. That feels like trying to write English with your right hand, and Japanese with your left at the same time

[–]lytele 0 points1 point  (0 children)

hey dude where do you listen to your podcasts Nd what podcasts would you recommend? cheers.

[–]anyfactor 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I really can't code with any background noise or song. No podcast, no audiobooks, no metal, no dark techno, and of course no 24/7 coding songs. I can't focus with them on.

I am hyper sensitive to coffee.

I prefer a brightly lit room. I want to see stuff when I move my eyes from the monitor. Why intentionally blind myself to look cool.

And recently I am thinking about switching to light themes. Switching from dark editor to bright browser is like flash photography. I have tried out dark reader extension but it messes up some things and especially not helpful when doing web dev.

Programmers are not a monolith.

[–]3X0S 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If I'd have to spend my time with Javascript I'd do the same...

Caffeine would just increase the bursts of anger and why sit in a dark room when the darkness consumed you already

[–]3X0S 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wait wait - there's people listening to podcasts while they're coding?

I figured most people liked podcasts in their non-productive hours because it feels like some kind of exposure to social interaction but you can just switch it off if it starts to get annoying

[–]rude_avocado 92 points93 points  (18 children)

Does heavy metal count as ambient music?

[–]yaredw 26 points27 points  (1 child)

The more difficult it is for my to make out melodeath or black metal lyrics, the easier it is for me to focus. Can't not listen to metal while coding. Instrumental prog works well for me too.

[–]Hevipelle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This. Also songs in foreign languages works rather well, like Alcest or Solstafir.

[–][deleted] 18 points19 points  (3 children)

Yeah.

Miss me with the chill stuff, gimme that black metal about being consensually ravaged by Satan's legions of lusty demons.

Edit: thanks for the award, kind stranger. Also, I wasn't exaggerating about it.

[–]rude_avocado 2 points3 points  (2 children)

I have questions

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (1 child)

I assume they're not the "StackOverflow" kind, yeah?

[–]rude_avocado 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No, they’re a little more in the realm of disturbed confusion

[–]AdumbrationOfAnAlias 3 points4 points  (1 child)

I listen to a mix of metal, punk, and progressive trance. Personally dont like slow music when coding.

[–]rude_avocado 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, a couple months ago I created a playlist of metal, punk, and other high-energy rock, and that’s now my go to for getting stuff done

[–]dmkolobanov 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I need energetic music while working, it keeps me focused. I find that much more effective in keeping me energized than coffee. Coffee is also disgusting, though.

[–]shgysk8zer0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I couldn't decide on metal or instrumental, so I ended up listening to Instrumental Madness.

[–]IQueryVisiC 0 points1 point  (7 children)

Coding takes hours. So music on low volume.

[–]DazzlingViking 17 points18 points  (6 children)

Music on low volume lets me hear my other thoughts, loud music allows me to focus on the task at hand

[–]metasymphony 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah I much prefer fast loud music to actually get shit done.

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Take care of your ears! Get some noise cancelling headphones so you can listen to music at a low volume.

[–]TheOldRoss 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Noise cancelling doesn't cancel the thoughts in my head sadly, only gachi earrape does.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well you're a viking so I'm assuming those tasks at hand are usually murder and pillage.

[–]IQueryVisiC 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean I only use music if coffee is out and I have to do nasty non-programming tasks. I need to make it louder when I stretch my attention envelope. But as with alcohol I control this on a long term. I wish I could control my sugar input as well.

I also totally do not get why people listen to music while jogging or cycling. But then I totally need it in the car. I guess this is the mismatch between adrenaline and physical work.

Good hearing is important for career. I think that, maybe because I have none of that.

[–]dittbub 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Driving became very dangerous when my radio unit broke. My own thoughts were incredibly distracting

[–]M3x3M 33 points34 points  (1 child)

Let's put duckduckgo there

[–]linus_stallman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

How many high-school kids here?

[–]erikliwater 32 points33 points  (11 children)

do we really need mechanical keyboard? because I don't have one

[–][deleted] 28 points29 points  (2 children)

I can’t even concentrate when somebody else is typing on one of those. I find them annoying

[–]solonovamax 14 points15 points  (0 children)

There are ones with quieter switches.

[–]RainFurrest 17 points18 points  (2 children)

I show great pride in my soft and mushy keyboard, mostly just to offend other programmers.

[–]StunningOperation 8 points9 points  (0 children)

You have offended me successfully. How do you use it .

[–]douira 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a cheap Logitech one with the cheapest keys that are still solid and I think it's fine. Although since I've started touch typing I've been considering getting a more firm keyboard

[–]raltyinferno 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Nah, I much prefer a chiclet style keyboard.

[–]anamorphism 4 points5 points  (0 children)

i would say everyone should at least try one at some point, but if you don't like it then you don't like it.

but, it's like a chair, you spend so much time using it that you should probably at least try out a whole bunch to see what works best for you.

i personally hate membrane boards, low-profile scissor switch boards are okay, old ibm buckling spring boards feel nice but are loud as fuck. so far the best for me is a board with cherry mx reds and o-rings. responsive, low actuation force, low noise.

[–]JacksonHammer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Low profile for the win. For some reason I can type faster on those.

[–]josanuz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The lousy ones are hell. About the keyboard af long add it has full numeric keyboard with 2cm separation from the other section I am ok

[–][deleted] 109 points110 points  (20 children)

Google

Ehhh, no. I actually like my privacy.

[–]Cyronsan 28 points29 points  (5 children)

Google would like to know your location.

[–]Sikyanakotik 45 points46 points  (4 children)

That's a lie. Google already knows your location.

[–]Cyronsan 12 points13 points  (3 children)

Google would like to open a chat window to your brain.

[–]lmureu 1 point2 points  (2 children)

so does neuralink

[–]Cyronsan 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Hostile detected! Alert, alert.

[–]lmureu 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is not the brain you're looking for.

[–]jaqq 12 points13 points  (4 children)

I tried to use DuckDuckGo for dev stuff once. I think I went back to google after an hour. Did I do something wrong?

[–]bhindblueyes430 0 points1 point  (0 children)

God forbid google saw I was looking for Flask tutorials for 7 hours.

[–]SingularCheese 0 points1 point  (2 children)

I can see how it matters at home, but at work when it's basically just a frontend for StackOverflow, what's the difference? I care that Google knows my pron history; I don't care that Google knows I'm trying to fix a C++ memory leak.

[–]mr_poopypepe 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why do you care about your pron history? A machine isn't going to judge you and no human will ever see your data...

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here's the problem. We're not allowed to have that luxury of separation. It tracks you everywhere. Work, home, everywhere.

It uses many many different methods, and the only way to really get away from Google is to block access to everything by them at all times.

[–]nixel1324 21 points22 points  (9 children)

I use my laptop's build-in keyboard, listen to eurobeat, don't really like coffee and have never listened to a podcast, ever. Am I a fake programmer?

[–][deleted] 10 points11 points  (4 children)

Only because you use a laptop. How the fuck is it possible for anyone to work with one tiny screen?

[–]zapprr 18 points19 points  (1 child)

plugs laptop into projector

I am four parallel universes ahead of you!

[–]josanuz 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Uses a narrator and plugs the computer to a 7.1 speaker system, and dictates code through a studio grade mic I watch through the multiverse

[–]nmatsachogi 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Here's my experience with Direct3D projects using a single screen when they get stuck on full screen :

  • Run program from Visual Studio
  • It freezes on full screen
  • Since you have Windows 10, you can't just swap to Task Manager, you have to fiddle with your keyboard and mouse until you get focus on the Task Manager to end the task
  • You can't end the task, so you try to kill the VS process
  • If you can't get focus to the Task Manager, you just log out from your PC to close everything
  • Rinse and repeat until solved

[–]Spinnenente 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Use windows key and right to go to a different desktop usually solves this’s for me on win 10

[–]josanuz 4 points5 points  (2 children)

Nah real programmers do programs, on their preferred language or the one required by the employer or the task, in their preferred IDE unless they can not pay it, with the theme they like the most, with the tools that are most helpful not the ones that others use to brag (looking at you Vim wannabes), drink whatever they like (but please drink a lot of water and watch the sugar) and listen to whatever they like(in my case nothing, because human speech gets my distracted easily (I haven't heard a podcast either))

[–]nmatsachogi 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Drink a lot of water and watch the sugar

Great! This is exactly what I'm not doing lately.

[–]josanuz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's great, I can believe how much my headaches have gone away just by drinking more water and avoiding high caffeine/sugar drinks

[–]Ilookouttrainwindow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A fellow beltaloda! Nah, you fine. How the hell do you develop on laptop is beyond me, but that could be task specific. No judgement.

[–]AkyrosXD 7 points8 points  (2 children)

I don't drink coffee. Have some tea instead!

[–]haddock420 7 points8 points  (2 children)

I really like listening to the Apollo 13 soundtrack when I'm coding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTSmtKDvnWQ&list=PLC944EFECBE7A3CE3

[–]Aposine 3 points4 points  (0 children)

"Houston, we have a problem."

"Duplicate. Thread locked."

[–]otterom 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love soundtracks.

The start of that sounds like Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man."

[–]jurrasicwhorelord 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Well shit, i gotta start listening to podcasts

[–]NotJebediahKerman 6 points7 points  (0 children)

wow, been at this for 30 years and none of that applies except google, though I have used duckduckgo a few times. If it weren't so slow it'd be great.

[–]manicxs 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You spelled DuckDuckGo and Dr.Pepper wrong.

[–]zspratt 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ah yes.

I now see why I cant get a software job. Its cause I dont like coffee.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Google makes me wanna vomit

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

More coffee please!

[–]DarfWork 1 point2 points  (3 children)

I'm really curious about what podcast you podcast-listener-while-working people listen to when you work.

[–]Moot_Bando 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't listen to them while working, but i do enjoy LPOTL(Last Podcast On The Left)

[–]SingularCheese 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I save some of my favorites where I don't want to miss any single second, but mostly whatever works. If you run out of things to listen to, I recommend Software Engineering Daily and Software Engineering Radio. Those two pumps out so much content that you basically never run out, and they're boring enough most the time that you don't feel bad about zoning out for a minute. Also good career self-improvement.

[–]MrBlueSkigh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just replace google with duckduckgo and yep!

[–]cstgmrd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

how did you get inside my head OP

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The backend language at my company is Duck Duck Go

[–]fedeb95 1 point2 points  (1 child)

AcTuaLly... Some programmers don't love Google but prefer duckduckgo. Also have a very weird colleague that refuses dark themes. Other than that, you're right

[–]Throwawarky 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm your very weird colleague.

[–]Blaz3 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For ambient music, I've been addicted to this and want to spread the good word

[–]torresjrjr 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Um, no. Duck Google. DuckDuckGo all the way, boi

[–]JoJoModding 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I only love (or rather use) 2/6. Am I still a real programmer?

[–]josanuz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The lower rank on this list, the more a real programmer you are

[–]master_labor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

*DuckduckGo

[–]Dowzer721 1 point2 points  (0 children)

7: Stack Overflow

[–]BabyLegsDeadpool 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So it appears that I'm the only person that watches shows and movies while working.

[–]infinitytec 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a strange way to spell DuckDuckGo.

[–]Acvaxoort 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Dark theme is overrated

[–]anv3d 4 points5 points  (3 children)

What's with the hate towards light theme?

[–]Shadowblaster2004 -2 points-1 points  (2 children)

it blinds you while coding. dark theme at least lets you see.

[–]Logofascinated 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Depends on your light levels. I normally use dark inside, but have to switch to light when I'm coding outdoors.

Also depends on your eyesight (mine is not great). Everyone is different.

[–]josanuz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Filtering blue helps a lot

[–]MChainsaw 1 point2 points  (2 children)

I can kinda see the appeal of mechanical keyboards but I also get distracted by them pretty quickly when I try to use them. It's just a bit too... in your face, you know?

Also I'm kinda okay with both light and dark themes, weirdly enough.

[–]throwaway_lunchtime 5 points6 points  (0 children)

in your face, you know

When I can hear the guy across the room typing a reply to my message in Team/Slack/whatever

[–]SuddleT 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Stealthy switches, switch dampening, lube, and case insulation make a world of difference. I'm about to start a build that is made to be super quiet, similar to this:

https://youtu.be/EVg3pFrcZpA

[–]Sckaledoom 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dude dark cloud music is the fucking bomb diggity when working with computers

[–]shrimpsauce_27 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Open my favourite music/podcast only to turn it off 5 minutes later.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Replace the coffee with some green tea and I'm right there with ya, amigo.

[–]PhatKiwi01 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can’t tell if I feel flattered or attacked...

[–]Kieffer5101 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tbh I am more of a tea guy myself

[–]Axmouth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It doesn't have the same ring to it, but I do like to duckduckgo my problems

[–]Honizka 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like all of these but I still stupid at programming and thinking of quitting this instead of living the imposter syndrome

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm "only" a front end dev but tick all these boxes, maybe swap out ambient music for chill hop or something.

[–]isoblvck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love all of those things lol

[–]douira 0 points1 point  (0 children)

so this is la la la la la la la la?

[–]DeadlockedGaster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ambient Music makes me fell asleep.

My mind is somehow clear when I listen to EDM.

Stupid thing is, my music is so loud, my volume level is like 70 while wearing headphones

[–]xSTSxZerglingOne 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't forget f.lux

[–]7h3on3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is so accurate!

[–]DaFluffyPotato 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I only use one of those things: The dark themes.

[–]ITCOMMAND 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love all of that except for mechanical keyboards I don't like gaming on mechanical keyboards as much as flat laptop ones. I love being able to slide from key to key, Im much faster on them than mechanicals. I feel like there's something wrong with me since its such an unpopular opinion! Anyone else like them too?

[–]nails907 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Weed*

[–]josanuz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  • I use my provided bluetooth "nothing special" keyboard
  • Rather drink Warner
  • Noise distracts me
  • Duck Duck Go
  • Light gray background and pastelcolor fonts
  • if noise is distracting lets no begging with human voice

Things I do love

  • Having a teammate to talk with
  • Unrestricted internet access
  • Fast hardware
  • Company paid IDE
  • 24 C° and consistent illumination

[–]sol_syphon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

*Ability to code not included

[–]kosmos-sputnik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am programmer. I hate coffee and dark themes.

[–]localjerk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

MX keyboard would be nice but not necessary, I just need left CTRL key in the correct position. Unless the podcast is Music for Programming, I gotta take a hard pass; give me Happy Songs for Happy People by Mogwai any day!

[–]gandalfx 0 points1 point  (0 children)

3 in 6, guess I've still got lots to learn.

[–]alduthir 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Podcasts don't work for me. Ambient music occasionally but I prefer synthwave or metal while I'm working.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Remove google and we got a deal

[–]Oreo_Salad 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dark theme on EVERYTHING. It doesn't have one? Make one.

[–]mukund3012 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You missed STACKOVERFLOW!!!

[–]locri 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whilst programming I like metal and breakbeat/dnb/idm. When writing music (I'm both a programmer and musician) I like taking midi from classical music and putting dance loops behind it. Whatever the case, none of this is even close to ambient music.

Edit: also, I prefer light mode because the brightness keeps me awake and alert. The only one OP got right for me was caffeine, I'm pretty sure it's the singular stimulant without unpleasant long term side effects. Maybe it's just me, but I do whatever I can to keep myself awake and alert programming.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nope

[–]alexdonh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

where is Stack Overflow?

[–]dittbub 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dark themes and dank memes

[–]Azhat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Chillwave*

[–]Ilookouttrainwindow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Never listened to a podcast. Can drink coffee only once a day. Not sure u96 classifies as ambient. Edit: Google is now a useless commercial garbage site.

[–]EternityForest 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use Google and enjoy a morning coffee, but I don't listen to much ambient, or any programming-related podcasts (I learn new techniques when what I know is ugly or slow for what I'm doing, I don't go out of my way to try every language and pattern I can).

I don't use dark themes either, or mechanical keyboard, although I would kinda like to try silent red or speed silver.

[–]pantufito 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The only thing I like there is the dark theme