As a developer, my most important tools are a pen and a notebook

Re:As a developer, my most important tools are a pen and a n... by adampwells on Wednesday May 28, 2025 @03:43AM (#44113608)

I have been writing software for about 20 years (following on from OChem PhD and research for a few years). I am 'senior' and get paid plenty in Oz...

I have aphantasia - I can't visualise/picture things in my mind, so I use pen and paper or whiteboards A LOT!

I create various ERDs, mind maps, sequence diagrams etc. I use a ReMarkable which makes it a bit easier to move stuff around and makes it more effective.

I get that some people might think it is 'pure romanticism', but pen and paper has been crucial for my success.

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Re:As a developer, my most important tools are a pen and a n... by cheema33 on Wednesday May 28, 2025 @03:49AM (#44113641)

Most humans cannot visualize too many things in their minds at one time. I think the limit is low on average. We all therefore benefit from pen and paper. But I recognize that some more than others.

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Re:As a developer, my most important tools are a pen and a n... by alfiedotwtf on Thursday May 29, 2025 @05:44AM (#44124459)

Same boat - 20 years experience, in Oz, with aphantasia... I've only realise in the past month that I do poorly on Live Coding interviews because since the interview is on the clock I immediately start coding so I have something to show, but since I can't picture anything in my minds eye I'm literally coding blind - rereading the question over and over hoping the solution will come! So after realising this I've started using an A2 notebook to draw out the problem, work my way through the problem on paper, and finally map out a solution (still on paper)

... then like magic, the code comes naturally (I'm guessing that's how normal people think when programming)!

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