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Ahmed Mannai
Ahmed Mannai

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Why Programming is FUN

You start programming and all of a sudden, you have lost connection to the external environment, times flies by without noticing it. all your psychic energy is directed towards fixing that bug or make that code works.
let's be honest guys challenges are what makes programming fun and bugs are no exceptions.
facing a problem while coding and work hard to solve it puts our mind in a state of Flow.
programmers experience flow when they are fully immersed in the task at hand and in a state of optimal performance.

wait what is flow ?

The term "flow" was first introduced by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (pronounced six-cent-mihaly) to describe the experience of being completely engrossed in an activity, where time seems to fly by and self-consciousness disappears. This state of flow is characterised by a feeling of effortless concentration, full engagement in the task, and a sense of control and mastery over one's actions.
in his book he goes deep into flow and what makes us happy.

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Programming and Flow

In programming, flow can be experienced when a developer is fully absorbed in the process of creating and solving problems, and the code is flowing easily from their mind to the screen. This state can be incredibly productive, as it allows developers to focus on the task at hand without getting bogged down by distractions or self-doubt.

To achieve flow, a number of conditions must be met. The task at hand must be challenging but also achievable, with a clear goal and a sense of progress being made. Developers must also have the skills and knowledge necessary to complete the task, and they must be free from distractions and other sources of stress.

When the conditions for flow are met, the experience can be incredibly rewarding. The sense of control and mastery that comes from solving complex problems can lead to a feeling of satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. In addition, the state of flow can lead to increased creativity and problem-solving abilities, as well as improved productivity and code quality.

In my experience it is the same like playing a good football game where you have no idea about the external environment,
you mind is executing one and only one thing (one task). you wouldn't believe me when I tell you that those moments are what makes us happy.

The problem is that this state is not easy to achieve and it can be easily interrupted. The biggest obstacles are procrastination, lack of motivation, poor environment and bad habits that impede the concentration.

One way to overcome these obstacles is to actively work on developing good programming habits, such as setting clear goals, breaking down large tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks, and minimising distractions by working in a dedicated, comfortable and organised work environment.

have fun while coding and good bye.

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