Productivity is a measure of output from a production process, per unit of input.
3
votes
5answers
293 views
improving IM communication skills
I am an email person, but found that at my new job, co-workers use IM a lot. I have to admit that I have been largely ignoring the IM/SMS as a way of communication by thinking it is only for ...
8
votes
9answers
747 views
How can I get into “programmer mind” more quickly and more often?
There's a workflow I'm working on. It's so far been web forms filling databases with occasional writing configuration scripts for analysis instruments instruments, and I've written it all, in Perl, ...
4
votes
5answers
305 views
Increase production by specifying a development computer
Interesting post by Seth Grodin by increasing productivity by specifying one device for work and one for everything else. Would you be more productive if you only programmed on one machine and forced ...
7
votes
5answers
280 views
Where is the golden mean between language monoculture and polyculture?
My company has been using Java (as a language and a platform) for many years. We have lots of products varying greatly in size, purpose and complexity. Whatever the requirements, the answer is always ...
4
votes
4answers
200 views
How to choose the best approach when adding features/refactoring code
I've got a problem.
I find really difficult to foresee the effect that my changes to the code will have over the whole application, either when I have to add new features or re-factor it. Very often ...
13
votes
10answers
2k views
Effective methods for managing work tasks? (documenting/remembering/prioritizing)
I'm looking for suggestions on effective methods that I can use to document, remember and prioritize tasks at work. Many of the these tasks belong to a primary project, but they also exist for ...
5
votes
6answers
305 views
Keeping a project alive with a “skeleton crew”? Bad/good idea?
For political reasons, management seems intent on keeping a project progressing, but stripping away the most senior developers to perform other higher-priority tasks. Instead one more junior developer ...
3
votes
6answers
124 views
Sticking to a Task vs Varying It
When you have several programming tasks to do at once, do you prefer to go through them one at a time, or to vary them, perhaps based on subtasks or on time? Why?
For myself, I find that:
Pros for ...
6
votes
6answers
682 views
stuck on a programming problem solution [closed]
Let's say you get stuck on an solution for a while. What do you do?
How do you get it solved?
What is the best way to not feel frustated?
12
votes
4answers
647 views
*Hidden Features* in your operating system that increase productivity?
As developers how much time, or do you spend time, In learning the hidden features tricks of your operating system ?
How important do you feel is this for productivity in day to day programming? ...
3
votes
1answer
291 views
How can I make eclipse look like VS.NET 2010?
I am constantly switching between a project written in C# 4.0 and another one written in Java.
I find it very difficult to read the code in Java, and I think it's because of its colors (or lack of ...
23
votes
14answers
2k views
Does SCRUM usually involve massive overtime?
I would like to know if overtime is normal for sprints, or if it is an abuse of this methodology. I feel naive and spineless doing all-nighters if I don't have to.
Question is SCRUM specific. ...
18
votes
8answers
2k views
How to Structure Bonuses for Software Developers? [duplicate]
I am a software developer, and have been asked to define a bonus structure for myself by recommending the metrics that will determine my bonus. I think, once I have defined this bonus structure, there ...
5
votes
13answers
865 views
What do you do when one thinks the code isn't complicated enough?
After six months of development on a project, our stakeholders have had a "gut check" and have decided that the path that we've been walking (a custom designed application framework and data access ...
2
votes
4answers
384 views
Technology/Programming mailing lists How do you manage? [closed]
Email Alerts, Blog /Forum updates, discussion subscriptions general programming/technology update emails that we often subscribe to.Do you actually read them ? or go direct to the source when you find ...
142
votes
30answers
13k views
How many hours can you be really productive per day? How? [closed]
I find that I'm having a great deal of trouble staying alert 8 hours per day. I've heard of people who've negotiated work contracts of just 4 hours/day, arguing that they won't be able to do much more ...
5
votes
7answers
281 views
Technique/visualisation aids to help ourselves to have a clearer picture of the code?
Sometimes when code is too complex, I break it down into parts.
Is there another kind of technique/visualisation to help have a more clear picture of the code?
4
votes
6answers
564 views
How should I manage my time? [duplicate]
There are times when just one bug that keeps eating away your time like hell ... for example this one. I generally end up wasting hours and realize I've gone terribly behind my schedule and not ...
12
votes
7answers
4k views
Python productivity VS Java Productivity
Over on SO I came across a question regarding which platform, Java or Python is best for developing on Google AppEngine. Many people were boasting of the increased productivity gained from using ...
6
votes
6answers
478 views
Interrupting Work Productivity: The Name?
Certainly it is a productivity killer when a developer is constantly interrupted by other workers, bosses, etc - but it is even worse when the developer is constantly interrupted by his or her own ...
26
votes
8answers
790 views
What do you do to remain productive when working on your own?
I find working in isolation, on a piece of code that won't be seen by anyone else for weeks, draining. I'm looking for ideas to try to keep myself productive and motivated.
What do you do to remain ...
4
votes
2answers
240 views
Good books on how to manage yourself and tackle programming tasks? [closed]
There seem to be a lot of programming books on coding style and best practices and then of course a lot of books on organizational or team process e.g. agile/scrum/kanban, etc. I'm looking for books ...
7
votes
4answers
1k views
SSD harddisks & programming
SSD harddisks have been on the rise lately. And I've been wondering if it's worth buying one as a programmer. Being able to save five minutes when starting my PC is fun but won't convince my boss.
...
14
votes
7answers
531 views
Can't work on real projects because I keep thinking about my side projects
I have a "real" project I'm working on to make money from, and a side project that is vastly more interesting.
I'm having a problem where every time I go to work on my "real" project, all I can ...
3
votes
5answers
687 views
Developer productivity Cobol versus C#
We are doing a cost benefit analysis on a migration project.
It would be nice to be able to say that future changes will be x percent cheaper due to the migration.
Does anyone have any experience or ...
5
votes
7answers
379 views
Should a .NET, JavaScript and SQL Web App developer learn Perl?
I'm a front and backend .NET web developer (most solutions use MS SQL Server) and I won't be using any non-MS solutions for a while.
Will Perl be useful for situations that require scripting in an MS ...
24
votes
11answers
1k views
How to bill a client for frequently-interrupted time
I find that when I'm working on hourly-billable projects (in particular, those that are research/design/architecture-oriented as opposed to straight coding) that I'm easily distracted by any number of ...
5
votes
4answers
591 views
What's the most productive coding environment
I was speaking with an ex-colleague the other day about the most productive way to write code and he said he found it best "to CIMP, or Code In My Pants".
When I asked him exactly what he meant, he ...
23
votes
11answers
798 views
How do you stay productive when dealing with extremely badly written code?
I don't have much experience in working in software industry, being self-taught and having participated in open source before deciding to take a job. Now that I work for money, I also have to deal ...
14
votes
17answers
1k views
Have programmers at your work not taken up or been averse to an offer of a second monitor? [duplicate]
I'm putting together a business case for the developers in my company to get a second monitor. After my own experiences and research, this seems a no-brainer to me in terms of increasing productivity ...
7
votes
1answer
172 views
Collocation in Code
Quite some time ago I remember reading an article from 'Joel on Software' that mentioned collocation of information in code was important.
By collocation, I mean that relevant information about the ...
5
votes
15answers
2k views
How to use multiple monitors effectivelly [closed]
I'm currently using a single monitor, since I see no value in something like this
mentioned in this answer. It may be a good exercise for my neck, but besides of this I see no use therein at all. ...
4
votes
3answers
471 views
Programming by dictation?
ie. you speak out the code, and someone else across the room types it in
Anyone tried this?
Obviously the person taking the dictation would need to be a coder too, so you didn't have to explain ...
9
votes
14answers
2k views
Why do we keep using CSV?
Why do we keep using CSV?
I recently made a shift to working the health domain and despite the wonderful work in data transfer standards, all data transfer is in CSV, both for reporting to external ...
15
votes
11answers
799 views
How should I manage a team with different skill levels?
I'll be working on a software project with some friends of mine, and I've been appointed technical lead. None of these guys is a bad programmer at all, but I do have significantly more experience than ...
5
votes
6answers
529 views
Why are marketing employees, product managers, etc. deserving of their own office, yet programmers are jammed in a room as many as possible?
I don't understand why many (many) companies treat software developers like they are assembly line workers making widgets. Joel Spolsky has a great example of the problems this creates:
With ...
40
votes
18answers
3k views
How to explain a layperson why a developer should not be interrupted while neck-deep in coding?
If you just consider the second part of my question, "Why a developer should not be interrupted while neck-deep in coding", that has been discussed a number of times by smart people. Heck, even the ...
12
votes
5answers
329 views
Getting that buzz back?
I have been working in development for a good company for a while now since graduating from university, I really enjoy it and have some great fun in the office and enjoy everything I am doing.
But ...
1
vote
2answers
466 views
Which adjustable ergonomic keyboard do you recommend to a fellow coder and why?
My beloved Goldtouch has died (a moment of silence)....the hinge at the middle which allows you to adjust the board finally broke and the manufacturer does not do repairs for free. I'd have to buy a ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
How to make a good portfolio for IT student (who loves programming) like me?
I am currently a college student, and going to apply for an university in probably next month. Unlike art student who easily put on their works such as models, designs and so on on their portfolio; I ...
8
votes
9answers
391 views
How to avoid getting carried away with details?
When I program, I often get too involved with details. There might be some little thing that doesn't do exactly what I want it to, or maybe there's some little feature I want to add. Either way, none ...
1
vote
9answers
268 views
Programmer performance : based on location, timings
Do programmers perform better when working from office or from a location of their choice? Also do they work better with fixed timings compared to flexible hours?
5
votes
4answers
338 views
Do programmers at non-software companies need the same things as at software companies? [duplicate]
There is a lot of evidence that things like offices, multiple screens, administration rights of your own computer, and being allowed whatever software you want is great for productivity while ...
4
votes
8answers
1k views
Skills and habits to develop to be good at programming (I'm a newbie) [closed]
I have just started at programming and I'd really appreciate some help on what habits and skills to develop to be a good at programming from you guys, some of who have had years of experience. I'd ...
2
votes
3answers
277 views
One large project or a few small ones?
Personally I'd prefer to work on one project at a time, maintaining absolute focus on that. I find I'm at my most productive in this situation, however it's not always the way things happen in the ...
7
votes
6answers
582 views
Helpful articles on the subject of managing programmers? [closed]
What are the most helpful articles on the subject of managing programmers? I came across this one recently, and thought it was excellent -
The unspoken truth about managing geeks
What else is out ...
13
votes
24answers
7k views
How many lines of code can a C# developer produce per month?
An executive at my workplace asked me and my group of developers the question:
How many lines of code can a C#
developer produce per month?
An old system was to be ported to C# and he would ...
1
vote
5answers
506 views
What tools/strategies do you use for planning and why?
Personally my favorite GUI to-do-list tool is ToDoList by AbstractSpoon (free). It can be customized to meet almost any need. It has limitless hierarchies for sub-tasks and projects. And plenty of ...
10
votes
7answers
1k views
Emacs and “self-reinforcing performance”
In short, my question for you hardcore Emacs users is this: have you achieved
this "self-reinforcing performance" Steve Yegge talks about?
Emacs is self-hosting: writing things
in it makes the ...
15
votes
5answers
1k views
How to avoid distractions during programming and keep up to date? [closed]
People always need concentration during work tasks, but i feel programming requires even a higher level. In general my biggest problem is getting distracted by my articles feeds, but i also give it a ...
