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Give them a problem set for which the solution is explainable without the need to know a programming language and which would be solvable within the hour if not
by tlammens 16y ago
Give them a problem set for which the solution is explainable without the need to know a programming language and which would be solvable within the hour if not interrupted.
Experiencing the problem will be more convincing and powerful than listening to an explanation of why something is a problem.
- martin05 16y agoThe only thing I can think of is playing chess. However, the problem is that most people play chess superficially and without deep thinking and focus (the "groove" in my original post). This means that trying to use chess to explain it could backfire. I can see someone saying "See, I can talk to you and still play chess!". This is a tough one. I'd be neat to find a study somewhere that dives into this aspect of our work. Google searches for phrases such as "programmer concentration" or "programmer focus" return sites for schools and the like where they have programs that concentrate on software development and the like.
- queensnake 16y agoWell I don't have a specific answer, but 'The Programmer's Stone' blog has way-too-deep stuff on cognitive side of programming, from stress addiction to the benefits of low-level lighting: http://the-programmers-stone.com/2008/06/18/the-benefits-of-low-level-lighting/ http://the-programmers-stone.com/2008/06/18/the-benefits-of-... Alas I just couldn't find anything about quiet in 5 minutes of searching. But it's been too long since the link came up :)
- martin05 16y agoI just found these two links that might be useful: http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/fog0000000043.html http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/fog0000000043.html (See section 8) He mentions this book: "Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams"