Developer’s Nirvana
Coding is easy. You have a specific, small problem (usually a large problem broken down into small units), you have a first try. Think, write a test, test fails, write some code, fix it when it goes wrong (it almost NEVER works first time!), see the test go green. Rinse, repeat.
Software development is hard, because it requires more than code - it requires organisation, discussion, debate, communication with customers, sharing ideas - in short, a lot of talk. That’s why it’s great to have an open-plan office where everyone can see and talk to everyone else without walking down a corridor and through some doors or on the phone - if you have those barriers you will communicate less, its just human nature.
There’s just one downside to open-plan: noise. And this (me included) can be a real bummer - especially when you are trying to get into ‘the zone’ on a problem. You could have 2 conversations going on either side of you, and this can be distracting.
The answer? Noise-cancelling headphones! I received a Sennheiser PXC-450 through the post today, and it has revolutionised (okay, that over the top) how I work.
Now I can hit the noise-cancelling function, and office noise fades into a blissful, muffled background. Sweet.
