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EDS' Next Big Thing Blog: Read and Respond to What the EDS Fellows Say About Technology

Read and respond to what the EDS Fellows have to say about the future of technology on EDS' Next Big Thing Blog on eds.com.

Does writing code make you feel younger?

by Charlie Bess

I've noticed a pattern in the people that I work with that I've found interesting. My counterparts who have a software development background that continue to write code throughout their career (even if it is just recreationally) appear more enthusiastic and open minded than those who stop.

Is coding somehow cathartic and provide health benefits? Or is it just that they just never grew out of their enthusiasm for the creative process. I can see it now, a move beyond aroma and music therapies into coding therapy to increase your creativity and zest for life.

Maybe it is a local phenomenon.

Published Monday, July 23, 2007 1:53 PM

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Comments

Posted by Tom Wednesday, July 25, 2007 3:30 AM

I still write down PASCAL coding on paper while sitting in the office, I'm not sure if thats the same thing

Posted by Scott Sunday, July 29, 2007 12:38 PM

I am a Sr. IT Manager who hasn't coded in years. I recently worked a data model challenge this last week and can relate to your statement. A energy and focus surfaced I haven't felt in years.

Posted by John Fowler Wednesday, August 01, 2007 3:28 PM

I think in any industry, doing what you did when you first started (and what attracted you to that industry in the first place) can be fun and invigorating. This seems to happen in a lot of the companies with managers who are people promoted from lower levels because they did their lower level job exceedingly well.

Posted by David Anderson Friday, August 03, 2007 8:53 PM

Does this mean that there is a whole new marketing angle for compiler vendors? The IDE for the mid-life crisis geek? Does Microsoft's Dev Div marketing team know about it? I can see the adv now, "We know you aren't always in mood. But when the moment is right for you, VSTS will be there. So relax and enjoy life knowing that your compiler is working for you when you need it."

Or you try golf! ;-)

Posted by Jeremy Huppatz Thursday, August 09, 2007 1:00 AM

G'day Charlie,

Interesting observation. I'd say the same of any creative pursuit - writing, music composition/production, painting (the artistic type), sculpture... and yes - code as well. The one thing these activities all have in common is they all consume 100% of your attention... hours can fly by without any awareness of the passing of time.

For the record, I think this is the same focused state from which great mathematicians and theoretical physicists generate most of their most amazing discoveries.

In my opinion (based on some minimal reading on neurology) this is because you're putting the brain into a state where it's easier to make new neural connections than to reuse the knowledge encoded in existing ones. It would be nice to think that this state is a result of the activity rather the other way around. If it's the former, then imagine the potential of a few minutes of mental "calisthenics" at the beginning of every day!

Cheers

Jeremy