Programming faster with the help of technology

I think it’s funny that programmers, being as tool-fanatical as they are (see my earlier posts on Textmate), often times we really only have one awesome must-have tool – our text editor of choice.  Maybe this is why GNU Emacs has grown to be so much like an operating system – we’re so obsessed with our text editors, that we feel the need to roll everything into them instead of just using something else.

But tools to accomplish programming are great.  Text editors, different types of unix tools to do different things like connect to databases (psql) and mess with files (autojump).  Search (ack).

But how many tools do we have that actually make us faster programmers?  Not many.   Maybe none at all.  Here’s a short list.

RescueTime – analyze how you are spending time and then later optimize. I haven’t used this yet.

Pomorodo Technique and Timer software – this is pretty sweet.

To-Do Lists like Emacs Org and collaboration ones like Trac, Basecamp. I think it’s funny there hasn’t become a defacto to-do list standard for programmers yet.

Blockers like Leechblock and Concentrate

I use all of this in conjunction (except RescueTime) to try to make me more productive.  However, two of them should really be integrated.  Namely, the Pomodoro Technique and the to-do list.

Here’s what I’d like to see – an application that does the following.

1. Presents you with a list of (programming) tasks and their percentage done, the estimated hours remaining, and the option to start.
2. Clicking start with then start a 25 minute timer for the pomodoro technique and ding when it’s done.
3. Later you can view reports on what you did today and how long it took you off estimate.

Later you could add features like

• Subtasks with projects as the parent
• Planning todays tasks given available pomodoros
• Per project notes
• More advanced reporting
• Desktop front ends for the timer

I think what this would allow you to do would be more accurate track what you’re spending your time doing so that you can learn how to be more efficient.

Update

I found an app that does basically what I wanted

Related posts:

1. Stackoverflow Roundup: Programmer Productivity edition, pomodoro technique
2. Pomodoros on crack – my setup
3. How to be a better programmer by not programming
4. Consultants: pick a technology and stick with it
5. GNU Emacs vs Aquamacs vs Cocoa/Carbon Emacs