What's a bad habit in a non-programming context, can be a good thing to a programmer. (eg, the three virtues)
Personally, I'm obsessive compulsive, and a packrat. I'm not really certain that either one is all that useful to this profession though:
- Obsessive compulsive:
- Nothing ever seems good enough--I always want to improve things. Of course, this means that I hate declaring something to be a final release. I'd leave things in beta longer than Google, if I could get away with it.
- Packrat:
- Yes, there's the odd humor when people come to me looking for odd things (a DB25 to RJ45 adaptor, packing peanuts, WD40, random tools, VHB, etc.), and I actually have them, and it can be useful to keep every e-mail, so that you can justify the changes to the system, but I have way too much crap on/in/under my desk at work, and I use more than half my house for storage.
Oh -- and I hate making phone calls. It might have something to with having doing tech support during my undergrad, but I don't even like checking voicemail or calling for pizza.
Update: I said that I was obsessive compulsive. I never claimed to have OCD or OCPD. I do, however, exhibit every one of the typical indicators of an obsessive compulsive personality (some of them I'm slowly overcoming):
- is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost
- shows perfectionism that interferes with task completion (e.g., is unable to complete a project because his or her own overly strict standards are not met)
- is excessively devoted to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships (not accounted for by obvious economic necessity)
- is overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification)
- is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value
- is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things
- adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes
- shows rigidity and stubbornness
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