Ask HN: what creative methods do you use to solve programming problems?
I've talked to a few programmers who have interesting methods for encouraging their subconscious to take over when they hit a frustrating problem (eg: taking a walk, a bathroom break or playing Farmville). Do you have an interesting method you use for this?
13 comments
I usually switch into a different task. That tends to work pretty well, and doesn't leave me feel like I'm not making progress.
When I'm completely stumped or frustrated with something, I'll shut everything off for a while. I just go do something. Enjoy dinner, watch TV, play games, hang out with people. Zero thoughts about the problem.
Most of the time, re-approaching after a cold boot like that tends to change my perspective so much that I will typically solve the problem with much less effort than I expected would be required. Sometimes this is just caused by being tired when initially approaching a problem and then conquering it after resting. Sometimes I'll suddenly have a realization subconsciously and I'll realize I figured out a solution to the problem without thinking about it.
This has worked for me since college. Getting one of those nasty algebra or functional analysis problems and being stuck, then realizing in the middle of playing a game later that you suddenly know how to solve the problem is a great feeling. It's like you're doing work without doing work.
When I'm completely stumped or frustrated with something, I'll shut everything off for a while. I just go do something. Enjoy dinner, watch TV, play games, hang out with people. Zero thoughts about the problem.
Most of the time, re-approaching after a cold boot like that tends to change my perspective so much that I will typically solve the problem with much less effort than I expected would be required. Sometimes this is just caused by being tired when initially approaching a problem and then conquering it after resting. Sometimes I'll suddenly have a realization subconsciously and I'll realize I figured out a solution to the problem without thinking about it.
This has worked for me since college. Getting one of those nasty algebra or functional analysis problems and being stuck, then realizing in the middle of playing a game later that you suddenly know how to solve the problem is a great feeling. It's like you're doing work without doing work.
I do this as well. It's funny when you've struggled with a problem for an hour or so the day before and then the next day you sit down and figure it out in 10 minutes.
This works for me too. For the cases when it does not work, and you have the option, leave it and go rest/sleep/run/etc.
I'm definitely in the taking a walk bunch. Seems like most of my frustrating problems are just a case of looking too hard. I'll get up and (try to) do something completely unrelated like turn on the TV or sit outside, then suddenly the answer comes to me.
When I run into an issue during some late night ooding, the solution is always sleep. Next morning, the answer will come to me a little after I wake up (when the mind is most clear).
When I run into an issue during some late night ooding, the solution is always sleep. Next morning, the answer will come to me a little after I wake up (when the mind is most clear).
Sleeping on it is the best solution at least in my opinion. However if you are stubborn like I am and just want to fix the issue, then you would just hit the vending machine and start throwing coins at it. Finally you get to indulge yourself into a great number of chocolates to relieve the stress.
Leave your computer for a day. Go outside, enjoy life, and disconnect from your work. Worked every time for me.
If I still couldn't find a solution, I will eventually come up with a workaround during those disconnected times.
If I still couldn't find a solution, I will eventually come up with a workaround during those disconnected times.
Writing things down or drawing on paper has always helped me.
Thanks for all the comments! Seems like most people have a similar solution - doing something completely unrelated to give your brain a rest.
Take a walk, jump in the shower, working on something else that needs to be done, and last but not least - reach for the booze.
Stand on my hand. It helps to use a wall if do so.
I ask myself: What would Jon Skeet do?