Yes, it’s another treatise on programmer productivity, but it’s still ever so true. Of course, this applies to any occupation (engineering, writing, design) requiring long bouts of concentration to be productive.
…[W]hen you are in the flow, you concentrate only on what you are doing and you hold all the required details in your head, in the short and middle term memory. Because there are no disturbances inside your own head, all the details are readily accessible to the brain and the brain in general works like a well-oiled machine, the work progresses excellently and working is a pleasure.
This piece actually had its beginnings as a message to the writer’s employer’s internal mailing list.
I always say “Man it feels like I’ve done nothing at work.” Well this article finally sealed the deal. The days I have the most distractions, I can never accomplish anything because it takes me 15 minutes to get back into a project after a co-worker wants to tell me something. I believe the main reason why coders listen to music is to signify that they are busy to others (aka, don’t bug me unless you have to physically come and touch me to take off my headphones). Not only that , but music just helps you remain in the constant ‘flow’ and keep your mind focused and not get bored.