DEV Community: Stephan B. R. Langenau

How to overcome fluctuating productivity

Stephan B. R. Langenau — Fri, 31 May 2024 20:22:50 +0000

Problem

Hello DEV-Community i have a problem. I work now since nearly 3 years as a Data Scientist with a health insurance company. Most tasks are usually easy to accomplish.

However, I notice that the longer a task takes, the less motivation I have (according to Robert C. Martin, Clean Code [1]) and my productivity fluctuates daily.

[1] Robert C. Martin, Clean Code, Page 37, 4A

There are days when I get a lot done and others when I find it difficult to motivate myself. I notice that this happens to me even when I have deadlines and I don't want to miss a deadline.

Question

I think that many people have this problem and that fluctuations are normal and are of course determined by many factors (sleep, diet, stress, etc.).

However, I wanted to ask how you deal with it and how you deal with longer tasks and the decrease in productivity.

Do you use special software or special working methods or how do you keep your productivity at a certain level.

Further Action

If there is no thread on this issue yet, I would like to collect the answers and create a HowTo or a Github repository from them.

I would also be happy to receive book suggestions that might help. I think this topic can help a lot of people, especially CodeNewbies.

Hacktoberfest 2022 Shirts

Stephan B. R. Langenau — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 12:20:17 +0000

So, hacktoberfest 2022 is done. And now i wanted to share the Merch you can get for contributing at Hacktoberfest.

Gray T-Shirt

Front

Back

White T-Shirt

Front

Back

Test Linux without Installation

Stephan B. R. Langenau — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 13:23:12 +0000

How to get an Overview

When you start with Linux to choose the right distribution can be hard. The Result: Distro Hopping.

To avoid this there are some solutions. You can download every distribution and create a bootable USB-Drive etc. But this is in my opinion not very beginner friendly.

To get a first overview i recommend Distro Watch. Here you can find every Linux distribution and more information about it. For example the basis on which the distribution is built etc.

Distro Watch is also like a Newsfeed for Linux Distributions. Here, for example, every update of a Linux distribution is displayed and the current top distributions.

How to test Linux

Yesterday, I found an article at Linux Journal about this topic. The Linux Journal is one of the oldest Linux Magazines. Sadly it was discontinued in the past after some trouble, but since September the 22th its back.

The Article features the Website DistroTest. Here you can Test a lot of Linux Distributions directly from your Browser. The speed depends on your Internet speed and the traffic on the Server. But to get a good overview on the distributons you are focused on, its perfect.

Hacktoberfest 2020 - Beginner Repository

Stephan B. R. Langenau — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 09:55:55 +0000

Hacktoberfest 2020 is almost halfway up. For all Python beginners I have written a little script to calculate the absenteeism rate. That can still be improved.

PyAbsenteeism (English Version)
PyFehlzeitquote (German Version)

If you want to contribute, just proceed as always:

Fork
Branch
Code
Commit
Push
Pull Request

I wish everyone a nice Hacktoberfest 2020 and happy hacking and coding.

5. Developer tools that I use

Stephan B. R. Langenau — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 15:02:56 +0000

Every developer has their own routines and of course their own tool set.,This depends also which programming language do you work with and which computer operating system.

In my case I use mostly open source related programs and Linux 🐧. I try different Linux distributions from Ubuntu up to Slackware over Arch Linux. But my favorite Linux distribution is openSUSE.

The tools next to IDE´s sometimes are very limited on Linux machines, especially if you want only use open source or free tools. But the community is still growing, also through Hacktober Fest 2020. And more and more great tools are released every month. So big thanks to all the developers:

Let's start with my Tool Set 2020:

Visual Studio Code

When it comes to Python programming I use the IDE Visual Studio Code. I tried a lot of different IDEs like Atom , Brackets or Eclipse. But i love customization and with VS Code you can change mostly everything on this IDE.

Visual Studio Code can be customized with different extensions and packages, very similar to Atom. Also you can change the whole IDE if you want. Its written in JavaScript and Typescript. Visual Studio Code is Published unter the MIT-License.

Eclipse

As i mentioned it before and in other Articles, next to R, Python I code C++. I'm currently on a certification progress for C++. Eclipse can also be used for Java programming too. With some extensions you get a proper C++ IDE with Eclipse and its also open source.

Eclipse is written in Java and published under the EPL License.

QOwnNotes

Documentation next to programming is also important. To find a good Tool on Linux with native Markdown support and open source is als not very easy. In the past the choice was very limited. But over time, better and better tools will appear, especially for Linux users. QOwnNotes has an build in OwnCloud and NextCloud Support. I use it with Dropbox.

I also tried most of them, from Joplin, Standard Notes, Noteable, Inkdrop, Simple Note, Laverna, Boost Note, Obsidian up to Dynalist etc. But most doesn't had the features i wanted.

GitKraken

GitKraken is the only program which one is not open source . Its an GitHub Desktop Client like GitHub Desktop.I also tried other applications like GitAhead, GitHub Desktop, Tower, Fork and SourceTree. Most of them have a Free License or works only on macOS or Windows. I choose GitKraken over GitAhead because the User Interface is better and the commits and branches are represented better.

As a Linux user its also possible to use Git via Command line. I goes this also very often, but when it comes to large projects with a lot of colleagues than its not very practical in my opinion.

NeoVim

I use NeoVim as my main editor on Linux. I started with the "normal" Vim but after a time i wanted more like syntax highlighting. NeoVim support this and its retains a full backward compatibility to Vim. I use openSUSE and the editor Kate doensn't have the same Features than NeoVim. I also tried Emacs, yes if you can beat the steep learning curve and when you like a Not User Friendly UI, than its perfect for you :D

And yes, i love the Dracula-Theme🧛‍♂️

Hacktober Fest 2020 - 5. Steps Pull Request

Stephan B. R. Langenau — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 20:34:52 +0000

As a coding beginner / newbie it can be very confusing at first. To handle a lot of new information can be very difficult. Many have problems with GitHub, so a short introduction to Pull Requests so that everyone can
participate at the upcoming Hacktober Fest 2020.

What's Hacktober Fest?

Hacktoberfest is a monthlong celebration of open source software run by DigitalOcean.

Hacktoberfest is open to everyone in our global community! Four quality pull requests must be submitted to public GitHub repositories. You can sign up anytime between October 1 and October 31.🍂🎃🧟🕷️

What you need

A Computer 💻
Editor of Choise 🗒
Internet 🌐
Coffee ☕️
or Mate 🧉

... and a lot of fun 🙌

1. Fork

The first step is to search for a good Repro which one you want to work on. If you found a Repro than you have to Fork the Repro. Forking means that you create a "Copy" of this Repro to your GitHub account. After that you have to Clone (Download) the Data to your Computer.

2. Code

The second step is to Code and work with the Cloned Files on your Computer. You can use every Editor of your choise like VSCode, Atom, Brackets, Sublime etc. After you create a meaningful Update you have to Commit this Update to your GutHub Repro.

3. Commit

You create an awesome piece of Code, now you commit this, with a small declaration of what you have done with the Code, to your GitHub Repro in your Account. The best way you can do this if you use a program like GitHub Desktop, GitKraken or GitAhead. With these progamms you can see all previously published commits. After the commit you have to Push this commit to your Repro.

4. Push

To Push "Upload" the commit, means that you transfer the changes to your forked Repro on your GitHub Account. When the Push was sucessful, you see this on the forked Repro Page.

5. Pull Request

At the End you have to open a Pull Request on the Repro you forked before. When you open a Pull Request to the maintainer of the Repro you should discribe clearly what you have changed as a comment in the Pull Request.

The maintainer will be informed about your Pull Request and Review your Code changes. If you make a meaningful Update to the Project the Repro Maintainer will accept and integrate your Pull Request.

How I get a limited T-shirt? 👕

To get a limited T-shirt and more goodies after the Hacktober Fest 2020 you have to make and create 4 meaningful Pull Requests.

Only the first 70.000 participants who successfully complete the Hacktoberfest challenge get a T-shirt.

I wish all Hacktober Fest 2020 participants a lot of fun and of course Happy Hacking.🦥

Why I choose C++

Stephan B. R. Langenau — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 09:58:32 +0000

Search for an objective Language

During my studies I got a broad insight into various programming languages. Including Java, Python, R, VBA, HTML & CSS and JavaScript. I also took various courses in Java and Python, but Java didn't feel right to me. I really enjoyed doing the courses and think Java is very good, but Java is not for me.

I only had a lot of fun with Python and R, not least because they can be easily combined. I taught myself Bash and PowerShell over the years. I prefer to use Bash because I mainly work with Linux. However, I always lacked an object-oriented programming language.

Why C++?

The answer is pretty simple. I wanted to learn a system-oriented programming language. Java and C# are not system-oriented and can therefore be hacked more easily through reverse engineering. Also, I didn't choose C# because I don't use Windows except at work.

I also find C++ very interesting due to its universal applicability, because due to its proximity to the system, every C++ program runs on every device with a few adjustments. I also wanted to take on this challenge, as C++ is very complex and has a steep learning curve. I see more benefit for me personally in learning a complex programming language like C++ than an easy-to-learn programming language.

When choosing the programming language, neither trends nor the TIOBE index played a role. Because if everyone were to choose the programming language that is currently very popular and sought after, then the diversity would be lost.

How do I learn C++?

I am currently familiarizing myself with C with the help of my Codecademy Pro membership. I also rely on specialist literature such as the book: Programming - Principles and Practice Using C++ by the creator of C++ Bjarne Stroustrup. Of course, you learn a programming language better through constant learning like coding, coding and coding ...

Hacktoberfest 2020 participation

Stephan B. R. Langenau — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 10:42:38 +0000

My first Coding Event

Since I've started programming again, I want to contribute something beyond my small projects.

I know a few projects besides the Hacktoberfest, but I find getting started, especially as a beginner, quite difficult and sometimes complicated.

Then I heard about the Hacktoberfest. However, I don't feel safe enough myself and the month was almost over so that it was no longer worth participating.

Why i participate

However, this year I have decided to contribute something and take part. The Hacktoberfest in particular appeals to me very much. Getting started is very easy and a lot of help is available.

As an open source user and lover, the Hacktoberfest appeals to me very much. The Hacktoberfest strengthens open source software and by participating, you become part of the open source movement.

I hope that I can contribute a small part to some open source projects. And I hope to get hold of one of the coveted t-shirts.

Next course in progress

Stephan B. R. Langenau — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 09:39:54 +0000

My first Course are now finished but I'm already working on the next course. I hope to be able to prove my skills in the R language. Unfortunately, there is no proof for the programming languages in the university.

My first codecademy Course complete

Stephan B. R. Langenau — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 09:09:26 +0000

Finally, i finished my first codecademy course. In the past i completed some udemy courses, but i guess to choose codecademy gives my profile a huge push in the right direction.

Dracula Theme

Stephan B. R. Langenau — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 07:28:23 +0000

I´m really a Fan of the Dracula Theme on Visual Studio Code and other editors or coding relevant tools. Than i found this side: https://draculatheme.com/.

You can find for most of the Tools where you use for coding the dracula theme. If you are a Fan of this theme, check it out.

Small PowerShell Absenteeism rate calculator

Stephan B. R. Langenau — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 07:15:00 +0000

I wrote a small Absenteeism rate calculator in PowerShell. I guess it can be useful, if you want calculate your absenteeism rate.

https://github.com/kaeptnkrunch/fehlzeitquote/releases/tag/0.2