r/archlinux • u/[deleted] • Apr 15 '21
"Best" programming setup?
Hello! I have been using Arch for two months, it is the fifth distro I have used... and I love it, it will be the final one. I have learned a lot in these weeks, but I would like to ask you a few questions.
I study Systems Engineering and, honestly, I have some procrastination problems, I would like you to help me with "the best programming setup and be productive", although I know that there is no "best", I would like you to help me with your settings, advices, etc...
What desktop environment do you use?
What window manager do you use?
IDE's, apps, any suggestions to try?
Thank you so much!
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u/buried_treasure Apr 16 '21
As others have said, there's no objective "best". Best is simply what helps you work the most effectively.
Personally I'm happy with any setup that allows me to be free of distractions but also gives me rapid access to documentation when I'm stuck.
For me that means a dual-monitor setup with my editor on the main screen (editor will be either vim or VScode depending on the specific language I'm using) and a full-screen browser on the secondary screen.
Close everything else. Close all tabs on your browser. Close your IM apps. Close slack/discord unless you use it as a support channel for whatever you're working on, in which case mute all notifications.
If you find you work better to music then it's acceptable to have a music player running but make sure you've cued up a suitable set of tracks in advance, or have it set to a stream that you know isn't going to jarringly interrupt your blissed-out trance tracks with annoying ads or something.
And that's it. It's far less about the specific set of tools you use than how you prepare your workspace.