How to Improve Programmer Productivity

Learn how to improve programmer productivity.

Programming is an almost completely mental process and requires a lot of concentration, time and effort. As such, there can be days when programmers accomplish a lot, and days where they accomplish very little, as programming productivity can be hampered by mood, lack of sleep or distracting noises. Though programmer productivity is not an exact science, there are several ways to help improve programmer productivity and create the optimal environment for accomplishing coding tasks.

Instructions

1. Create a calm, quiet and comfortable workspace. Programmers spend long hours in front of a computer, so a workspace conducive to these long hours is essential. If possible, a programmer should have an office with a closed door to eliminate the distraction of other people working and conversing. The workspace should be clean and free of clutter, and well-lit and ventilated. The programmer should also have a comfortable chair, an ergonomic keyboard and a working sound system to listen to music and tune out other noises.

2. Eliminate Internet distractions. Email, instant messaging and news feeds are all sources of distraction for a programmer. Since it takes time to get in and out of the programming flow, simply looking at email or answering an instant message for a few seconds can distract a programmer for several minutes. Try to limit Internet distractions by only checking email once or twice a day, turning off any instant messaging programs and only reading news feeds at the beginning or end of a workday.

3. Simplify processes and programming tools. Sometimes programming businesses use out-of-date or overly complicated software that can decrease programmer productivity. There may also be complicated procedures for checking in code at the end of the day, or a central server that is subject to shutting down at crucial times. In a programming business, all of the software and technology programmers use should be up to date and simple to use. Programmers can also create plugins and macros to automatically input repetitive and simple code.

4. End a programming session with a problem. One of the challenges of programmer productivity is that it can take a while to get into the flow of programming, especially if a programmer is unsure of where to begin working. Ending each programming session with a coding problem to fix, even if it's a simple one to solve, can help a programmer to quickly get into the flow of working so she can then move onto other, more complex programming tasks.

5. Take time off to rejuvenate. While the urge to work continuously can be strong for programmers, especially during crunch time, taking time off can make programmers more productive and energetic during work time. Since programming is mostly a mental process, the brain needs time to relax in order to work at a greater capacity. Programmers should take the time to exercise, sleep and enjoy social time to become more creative, more alert and less stressed

References

• Nerdy Musings: 6 Keys to Programmer Productivity
• Matthew Paul Moore: 10 Ways to Improve Your Programming Productivity