Music that sets development into overdrive.

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music

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Music that sets development into overdrive.

What music sets the speed/tone of the development? I know most people like trance/techno/classical (stuff w/o lyrics). Nectarine is also an option (old tracker music).

I find I code faster with "hacker"-music like for instance the ost to Pi; http://open.spotify.com/album/5C0sEGbStaD8ZWQzBrNxJ3

What's the ultimate hacker music? Has anyone made a hackertunez play list generator?

VNV Nation is good for programming (imho).

andrewmu 2010-07-20 08:35:14

+1 A:

Silence works best for me.

mouviciel 2010-07-20 08:37:39

I prefer not to listen to music while programming (or doing any mental work for that matter). Programming and listening to music just don't go together for me.

There is evidence, published in Peopleware, showing that music involves the same areas in the brain which are responsible for creativity. In other words, if one listens to music while programming, his/her creative capacity is restricted, and the result is worse code.

Péter Török 2010-07-20 08:39:15

But I feel it sometimes is a (better) alternative to the constant distractions surrounding me. But sure, I also like to sit and listen to people discuss in the background to get catch different information. But I work in a group and sometimes I need to lock out the world and get into the flow.

Espen Schulstad 2010-07-20 08:44:54

[citation needed]

adamnfish 2010-07-20 08:45:29

@Espen, of course, sometimes using music through earphones is still preferable to being disturbed by background noise. The best solution would be to have private/team work rooms instead of open office, but alas, it is rarely achievable :-(

Péter Török 2010-07-20 09:40:49

Also, programming on some difficult or tedious task can make you feel annoyed or bored and music can help keep your spirits up.

andrewmu 2010-07-20 09:43:12

@andrewmu, if it works for you, fine. Just to clarify, I did not mean that people should not listen to music while programming. I only wanted to note that it may have adverse effects. I don't claim the trial result cited in Peopleware to be the last decisive word in this question, but it is definitely interesting, and matches my own personal experience. You are free to make your own informed decision :-)

Péter Török 2010-07-20 10:08:09

@peter-torok, sure. I actually agree with the finding in the cases where I really have to think deeply about a problem - then I prefer silence. Even if I have to keep my headphones on so that people don't disurb me.

andrewmu 2010-07-20 10:45:02

+1 A:

Well, for me it's usually classical, or jazz, even pink floyd.

Listening to something I already know well - as opposed to tuning on a radio - does not usually distract me.

But I always listen to John Cage when I code in Whitespace.

Marco Mariani 2010-07-23 04:52:15

+1 for the subtle cage reference.

Tristan Havelick 2010-07-23 05:17:30

However much i like to listen to some techno or house while i program, when it comes to a part where i want to actually THINK about something, silence is much needed :)

Ranhiru Cooray 2010-07-23 05:11:00

ansaurus

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Music that sets development into overdrive.

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