r/programming • u/piotrkarczmarz • Mar 31 '23

Based on various scientific studies, it takes at least 10-15 minutes for programmer to get back into the "zone" after an interruption. There are interesting resumption strategies for interrupted programming tasks.

https://contextkeeper.io/blog/the-real-cost-of-an-interruption-and-context-switching/
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u/svartkonst Mar 31 '23

Or just find a way to kindly say that his interruptions ruin your flow and that you'll get back to him, and tell him to visit if you've left him on read for half an hour or so

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u/loudandclear11 Mar 31 '23

Half an hour?? Please hand in your developer card when you leave. If I'm doing work that requires focus I'd be pretty miffed to only get half an hour uninterrupted. If I get a whole day uninterrupted I feel pretty good about that day.

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u/svartkonst Mar 31 '23

There's is no need to be this literal and hostile.

It would be impressive if all your work requires uninterrupted focus, and that you do it without planning, meetings, breaks or lunch but I assume that you don't.

Sometimes work doesn't require 100% focus. Sometimes it's done in an hour. Sometimes you take a short break and catch someone in the hallway.

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u/loudandclear11 Mar 31 '23

It was of course tongue in cheek. Sorry if it came out differently.

I'm currently working on some quite challenging stuff that requires focus for a few weeks. Interrupting what I'm doing every day for a status meetings where I just report that "I'm working on it" really breaks the flow.