How does HN deal with programmer's block?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12501573

by retbull • 10 years ago

2 4 10 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

I have seen guides for defeating writer's block but I don't know how to deal with programmer's blocks. Any good suggestions?

fma• 10 years ago

Assuming you mean the inability to solve a provlem...Play a few games of ping pong. Walk around outside. Talk with another coworker about the problem, from start to finish and have them question all your assumptions.

augbot• 10 years ago

I prefer to pull out my sketchbook and try to visualize/diagram the problem/challenge in (sometimes) several ways.. This always helps me get a new perspective on it.. And get some cool doodles in which is always fun.

detaro• 10 years ago

Talk to your rubber duck

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_duck_debugging, works for design problems as well)

Move around (not slowly walking to the kitchen to fetch yet another coffee, something more energetic)

smt88• 10 years ago

Depends on why you're feeling blocked. Is it because you don't know what to do next or because you just aren't enjoying writing that program?

Pair programming can help with both. When you have the social pressure of someone sitting next to you, you can build up momentum that you can hang onto even after you're back to programming alone.

How does HN deal with programmer's block?

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