While it was well written, and with best intentions, I don't think there is any real significant "tips" to increase "productivity". All things aside these are just some best practices sprinkled with some examples. This is similar to when your parents tell you to brush your teeth and floss daily.<p>I haven't been programming a lot but here are some ideas that I've found, in similar vein to the parent article.<p>1. Watch Bram Moolenaar's talk or read his notes - <a href="http://www.moolenaar.net/habits.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.moolenaar.net/habits.html</a> . Essentially learn how to use your text editor, as that's the thing you're going to be spending a good deal of your time in. In three steps, his suggestion is - Find what you're doing repeatedly, automate it and bind it to a key, make it a habit.<p>2. use a good version control system. Use a DVCS like git/mercurial/bzr and make lightweight branches for even the tiniest little features. That'll allow you to multitask like crazy! If you start properly using branching, you can write more code quickly and safely and switch between contexts.<p>3. Make sure your build system is optimal. If you spend too long waiting for builds to take place, maybe you can explore options to make it better.<p>4. The most important productivity secret imo - ACTUALLY WRITE CODE. Don't think about writing code, don't read blogs about writing code, don't follow twitterers who write code. Most importantly, don't get distracted and idle away when you're trying to write code.<p>I have some amount of mastery over my text editor, my language, my OS, etc. But none of that compares to the mastery and discipline of sitting down, concentrating and not letting your mind wander too much - something that I am trying to attain, but it's harder than I would like it to be.
It's down now; here's a cache:<p><a href="http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?sclient=psy&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=FuF&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&source=hp&q=cache%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fblog.interviewstreet.com%2F%3Fp%3D603&btnG=Search&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=cache%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fblog.interviewstreet.com%2F%3Fp%3D603&gs_rfai=&pbx=1" rel="nofollow">http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?sclient=psy&...</a>
Not very insightful. Nice try, though. Here is the classic: <a href="http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/fog0000000043.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/fog0000000043.html</a>
Seems down.. Can also view a copy here.. <a href="http://onsoftwareandstuff.com/2010/10/12/productivity-tips-for-programmers/" rel="nofollow">http://onsoftwareandstuff.com/2010/10/12/productivity-tips-f...</a>
Apologies. It's up now. You can view the post at the original link -> <a href="http://blog.interviewstreet.com/?p=603" rel="nofollow">http://blog.interviewstreet.com/?p=603</a>