Tunes vs Silence when programming

I was just sitting here and working on a program, listing to my music, and started to wonder what kind of tunes, if at all, other monks listened to -- or if they even preferred to listen to music while coding. I will admit, I didnt search the monastery for any previous posts like this - just started typing - wail on me if you must :P .

I understand that every person/programmer is different and this could be somewhat of a lame discussion, but I was just curious. I find from time to time that listening to music helps me by keeping my thoughts clear and focused (mainly trance and techno music - Sasha and Digweed, Paul Oakenfold, DJ Icey, etc). But then, there are those other times when the day just starts off sour and I prefer heavier music (Metallica, Coal Chamber) and it helps, but at the same time, somewhat hinders my thinking capabilities and then I am stuck on simple issues trying to think the process out - does anyone else have this happen to them?

What are the preferences of other monks? Likes, Dislikes, at least when it comes to music and programming - does the vast majority prefer to have music or silence? If music is preferred, what style/genre? What music hinders your capabilites to program? What music helps it? If it is something other than music that hinders you, what is it and why (might keep some of us away from them heh)? Perhaps this would make a good poll =)

UPDATE -- apologies ahead of time to all of those who have told me I should have searched prior to posting this question - I know, it's a normal rule of thumb here in the monastery - I just had a thought and wanted to ask it in my own words, so I started typing... that's what I get for listening to heavy metal all morning< :)

-oakley
Embracing insanity - one twitch at a time >:)

Comment on Tunes vs Silence when programming

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Re: Tunes vs Silence when programming by footpad (Abbot) on Mar 12, 2001 at 23:01 UTC
Using "music" in Super Search, I located the following threads that have previously discussed the subject. These might provide additional data points for your correlations: music choices.. A quiet place to code... What are your favorite coding environments? Music to Code to --f	[reply]
Re: Tunes vs Silence when programming by dws (Chancellor) on Mar 12, 2001 at 23:02 UTC
Not surprisingly, there've been some previous threads on this. See music choices.. and, more recently, Music to Code to. Since tastes (and the mix of monks here) change, it's fitting to revisit this now and then. I favor contemplative music while designing and coding. Gregorian chants fit the bill nicely, or some of the less irritating Philip Glass or Steven Reich. Something at a nice, steady pace that doesn't interrupt, or disturb, or otherwise leap out to scream "Pay Attention to ME!". For debugging, I like to pick the pace up a bit. Rossini's William Tell Overture is good for that "thrill of the hunt" one gets when hot on the trail of a gnarly bug. Drumming music works, too. Lately, though, I'm relying on a really loud ventilation duct to shut out background noise. It's a steady "whoosh" that's somewere between a waterfall and a very windy day. Once the facilities folks get around to fixing it, it'll be back to Gregorian chants.	[reply]
Re: Tunes vs Silence when programming by spaz (Pilgrim) on Mar 13, 2001 at 01:16 UTC
When I think about it, I usually play whatever's on http://mp3s.mootech.net:8000/, my own IceCast station. The shouter is something I wrote in Perl, the songs are picked at random (from 2,343 songs) stored in a database unless there's something in the playlist. If anybody is interested in the code, /msg me. -- Dave	[reply]
Re: Tunes vs Silence when programming by Masem (Monsignor) on Mar 12, 2001 at 22:55 UTC
When working on a new 'logic' of a program, I'd like something 'soft' like Tull, Sting, classical or jazz, if only for background noise but non-distracting from thinking of the problem. When it's pretty much repeating a task done before, it's switch to something like NIN, TMBG, or more modern pop and I sometimes find myself typing in rhythm to these melodies... :D But it's nearly impossible for me to work in silence. I need something in the background even if I have the tube on to something bland, as long as it provides noise. Dr. Michael K. Neylon - mneylon-pm@masemware.com \|\| "You've left the lens cap of your mind on again, Pinky" - The Brain	[reply]
Re: Tunes vs Silence when programming by cleen (Pilgrim) on Mar 13, 2001 at 10:23 UTC
Every aspect of how one gets setup or the mood they put their working setting in is a major part of what could be either what I call a "good code day" or a "bad code day". Music plays a huge roll in determining this factor for me. I need to be fueled before I start working on a project, thus my music of choice is usually on the industrial side of things. You have bands like flesh field/synapscape/wumpscut that provide "noisy" stylings that sort of become background, and since most of the time the lyrics of the song, and the person singing the song are so highly distorted it doesnt distract you with voices. (Erm I get distracted by clear voices that I can understand since I tend to focus on the voice rather then what Im doing). Yet whenever I get really pissed off at somthing that isnt working correctly, I might slap in some calmer tunes like Delirium or Wolfsheim, vnv nation and the likes of those.	[reply]
Re: Tunes vs Silence when programming by Desdinova (Friar) on Mar 12, 2001 at 23:36 UTC
Sadly due to my work enviorment (Cube-farm) I do most of my coding to the steady din of drawers opening and closing, phones ringing and the sound of half phone conversations. Thankfully when i am really into my code the world around me ceases to exsist. The carry over of this is at home I usually have commedy cetnral on tv as background noise. I have a hard concentrating in the quiet now..	[reply]
Re: Tunes vs Silence when programming by LD2 (Curate) on Mar 13, 2001 at 08:30 UTC
Music..is very important and a definate must while programming! :) Most times when I'm at home, I usually enjoy music such as Creed or Live ... but there are some late nights where I enjoy soundtracks such as 'The Piano' or 'Last of the Mohicans.' Though, if I'm at work..I get the joy of listening to 80's..and the 60's which I love!! Music and love.. it makes the world go round.. and life much easier to bear.	[reply]
Re: Tunes vs Silence when programming by Falkkin (Chaplain) on Mar 13, 2001 at 00:36 UTC
Recently, I've mostly coded to silence, or whatever my roommate is listening to... when I'm in the mood for music, however, Antiloop can't be beat.	[reply]
Re: Tunes vs Silence when programming by SparkeyG (Curate) on Mar 13, 2001 at 00:46 UTC
While I may be screamed for this, I oft times program to country and western music. Don't get me wrong, my ska, techno, and rap are never from the cd player. I just like the peace that comes from listening to some Garth Brooks or Hank Williams Sr. shrug YMMV SparkeyG --The Redneck Perl Hacker	[reply]
(crazyinsomniac) Re: Tunes vs Silence when programming by crazyinsomniac (Prior) on Mar 13, 2001 at 03:19 UTC
Why don't you all try some original perl monk music from http://adammonsen.com/mp3/ ___crazyinsomniac_______________________________________ `Disclaimer: Don't blame. It came from inside the void` `perl -e "$q=$_;map({chr unpack qq;H;,$_}split(q;;,qH*));print;$q/$q;"`	[reply]
Re: Tunes vs Silence when programming by gopher (Monk) on Mar 15, 2001 at 05:46 UTC
The tunes are a must for coding. i dont have any order to it, but i usually have an eclectic mixture of Bach, Pink Floyd, Beatles, Handel, Boxcar Willy, Miles Davis, Dreamtheater, Captain Beefheart, Johnny Cash, and various 18th century Spanish guitar masters. the list goes on and on, covering every type of music known to man, with the exception of rap. i mena, this thread is about MUSIC, right? Mr. Zoothornrollo, hit that long lunar note, and let it float.	[reply]