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I hope that before the end of my career I get to write code with just my thoughts. Add a method here, a loop there, refactor this block out with, etc.

by dewiz 9y ago

seanmcdirmid 9y ago
It wouldn't be faster: coding is not input constrained, but thinking constrained. So just being able to connect your thoughts to the input method wouldn't change much, instead the computer really needs to augment those thoughts instead. The trick would be using this tech to create a much tighter feedback loop with the computer, but just having it isn't sufficient.
- justinpombrio 9y ago
  > It wouldn't be faster: coding is not input constrained, but thinking constrained. Well, it depends on how bad your RSI is. For some people it is input constrained.
  - seanmcdirmid 9y ago
    Sure, but then this becomes niche to RSI sufferers and other people who can't type easily like voice input.
- keenmaster 9y ago
  Sure, but perhaps the reduced mental load from having your thoughts instantaneously actualize would free up capacity for a higher quantity and quality of ideas. The somewhat faster feedback loop should also improve reward seeking behavior.
- drb91 9y ago
  I disagree. Many times coding is input constrained—common refactoring patterns are one obvious example. You enter a pattern of tight input-evaluate-respond-repeat loops where you evaluate the refactoring change at every location where the text would also change. Very few problems worth solving can be solved without a better editor than pen and paper, and thought controlled ast aware editors are the logical conclusion of that. Hard problems would not be better aided by better input. In my experience, very few money making products deal with hard problems, just boring problems.
- booleandilemma 9y ago
  I’d much rather type out a program than write it by hand with a pen and paper though. “Thinking it” might be the next logical step.
simias 9y ago
My main problem with coding is not the input, it's the visual feedback. I hope that before the end of my career I get to write code which is not just a long series of ASCII text files.

I hope that before the end of my career I get to write code with just my thoughts. Add a method here, a loop there, refactor this block out with, etc.

by dewiz 9y ago

I hope that before the end of my career I get to write code with just my thoughts. Add a method here, a loop there, refactor this block out with, etc.

seanmcdirmid 9y ago

It wouldn't be faster: coding is not input constrained, but thinking constrained. So just being able to connect your thoughts to the input method wouldn't change much, instead the computer really needs to augment those thoughts instead. The trick would be using this tech to create a much tighter feedback loop with the computer, but just having it isn't sufficient.

justinpombrio 9y ago
> It wouldn't be faster: coding is not input constrained, but thinking constrained. Well, it depends on how bad your RSI is. For some people it is input constrained.
- seanmcdirmid 9y ago
  Sure, but then this becomes niche to RSI sufferers and other people who can't type easily like voice input.
keenmaster 9y ago
Sure, but perhaps the reduced mental load from having your thoughts instantaneously actualize would free up capacity for a higher quantity and quality of ideas. The somewhat faster feedback loop should also improve reward seeking behavior.
drb91 9y ago
I disagree. Many times coding is input constrained—common refactoring patterns are one obvious example. You enter a pattern of tight input-evaluate-respond-repeat loops where you evaluate the refactoring change at every location where the text would also change. Very few problems worth solving can be solved without a better editor than pen and paper, and thought controlled ast aware editors are the logical conclusion of that. Hard problems would not be better aided by better input. In my experience, very few money making products deal with hard problems, just boring problems.
booleandilemma 9y ago
I’d much rather type out a program than write it by hand with a pen and paper though. “Thinking it” might be the next logical step.

simias 9y ago

My main problem with coding is not the input, it's the visual feedback. I hope that before the end of my career I get to write code which is not just a long series of ASCII text files.