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Michael "lampe" Lazarski
Michael "lampe" Lazarski

Posted on • Edited on

Why is streaming while you're developing not so popular?

So streaming, in general, got very popular.
E-Sports and gaming streams are usually the most popular.
You can also find people just talking or answering questions.

But since streams go both ways, it is almost like pair programming.
Pair programming for me is one of the best things you can do to become a better coder. Also, you learn how other developers think!

Why do you think streaming for coding is not so popular?
Would you watch it?
How should it look?
General thoughts about this topic?

Please comment down below!

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Latest comments (73)

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alansolitar profile image
Alan Solitar

I just think that with programming there is too much downtime. Programming is so mentally taxing that I doubt you're going to be able to talk about what your doing without long pauses of just staring at code.

For coding, tutorials > streaming in my opinion as everything is a lot more direct and to the point.

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andrewbrown profile image
Andrew Brown 🇨🇦

I worry mostly about security

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lampewebdev profile image
Michael "lampe" Lazarski

Can you explain a little bit more?

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laurieontech profile image
Laurie

If you're going to live stream your process, which can be very beneficial, especially to set realistic expectations for what experienced coders go through, you should write it up afterward!

Writing a post that consolidates what you worked onto into quick hits is the best of both worlds.

I actually just did this with the live stream I participated in if you're curious.

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lampewebdev profile image
Michael "lampe" Lazarski

This is what I'm planning. Currently I'm writing a blog in svelte and when I'm finished I want to write a blogoost and create a tutorial for YouTube 😊👍

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datadeverik profile image
Erik Anderson

I've actually streamed coding once, doing coding challenges on Codewars. I had a small but supportive group of viewers and learned some good stuff in the process. I'd like to do it some more.

I've also streamed video games, mostly Starcraft. It's definitely a different experience and maybe I'll get into the differences in a future post.

I do think watching coding on stream takes more effort on the part of the viewer than with video games. This would especially be true on a complex development project, but it's true even on a relatively basic Codewars challenge.

I'll probably be streaming again in the near future here; I may even develop a schedule.

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lampewebdev profile image
Michael "lampe" Lazarski

You got a new follower ;)

I'm usually streaming here

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csharpfritz profile image
Jeffrey T. Fritz

Have you joined a coding stream with some of the more popular coding streamers?

I think your opinion would change if you saw how we do it... because coding then becomes an educational show.

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lampewebdev profile image
Michael "lampe" Lazarski • Edited

I'm following some people on twitch :)

And now I'm also following you!

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darkes profile image
Victor Darkes

Personally I think it'd be watching someone Google a lot 🤣. I don't think I could code for hours without doing that. Additionally code is rarely something you could just hop in on. If you're half way through a project that's pretty off putting to someone who comes in late and wanted to learn from scratch. I think what works better is a tutorial for something specific that someone can search later.

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lampewebdev profile image
Michael "lampe" Lazarski

Yeah if you want to learn then it is not the right tool.

If you just want to see someone have fun then it is and has a nice chat with someone.

It is no scenario for learning or being super productive :)

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darkes profile image
Victor Darkes

Yeah I guess you're right. The same applies to technical gaming. If some is trying to learn how to do something very specific they'll watch a tutorial as well. But a lot of people watch mostly for enjoyment. I think programming interview questions would probably be a good thing to stream. Talking out loud and doing it like a live interview

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lampewebdev profile image
Michael "lampe" Lazarski

That's an cool idea :)

I will think about it

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juanfrank77 profile image
Juan F Gonzalez

For me, it would be the least interesting thing to see being streamed. I'd much rather see a short edited video with the content I want.

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lampewebdev profile image
Michael "lampe" Lazarski

So yeah easy your not the target audience 💖😊

And that totally fine!

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juanfrank77 profile image
Juan F Gonzalez

Sorry if it sounded too Debbie Downer there. My interests have shifted quite a bit from the last years

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lampewebdev profile image
Michael "lampe" Lazarski

Nothing to be sorry for.

My interests also shift a lot of times!

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aleccool213 profile image
Alec Brunelle

Very high barrier of entry to understand what’s going on.

  1. If you are a developer, you still need to digest what they are trying to accomplish and what they are working on rn
  2. If you are not a developer, good luck
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lampewebdev profile image
Michael "lampe" Lazarski

There are streamer out there that have 10.000+ or 30.0000+ subs.

So this is kind of true but it looks like some people can do it.

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ambroseus profile image
Eugene Samonenko

because coding is not equal to the Software Development

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lampewebdev profile image
Michael "lampe" Lazarski

What? Can you explain your point a little bit?

I mean yeah these are two different terms...

Coding is the act of typing on the keyboard and producing software.

Software Development can be more, as the architecture of systems on a whiteboard.

I give you this point.

But in what way is this comment in any way helpful?

This makes developers just looks like some elite groups that fight over every nonsense thing...

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ambroseus profile image
Eugene Samonenko

my point is: developer can stream his 'coding' process which is not equal to 'developing' process because (you are right) 'coding' is about typing code in editor when you already have fully understandable requirements, architecture, algorithms, specifications, mockups and implementation approach

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lampewebdev profile image
Michael "lampe" Lazarski

Yeah and you can stream both?

I think in general we teach people in Tutorials on how to use technologies but not how to think.

and yeah streaming and thinking together with the community about requirements, architecture, algorithms, specifications, mockups, and implementation. Would be pretty nice!

See other perspectives and how other people go about a problem. I would watch that!

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ambroseus profile image
Eugene Samonenko • Edited

sure :) but in case to show full process of development developer-presenter need some soft skills (how to tell stories, be extrovert, do not afraid to make mistakes etc.)
not all devs are extroverts ;)

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lampewebdev profile image
Michael "lampe" Lazarski

Yeah, that's true!

If everybody streams there will be nobody to watch ;)

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ambroseus profile image
Eugene Samonenko • Edited

:) yep

BTW, one working case with streaming dev process I practice: when I work as mentor with newcomer (trainee) dev on same project

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lampewebdev profile image
Michael "lampe" Lazarski

Yeah, I practice that with my Junior's too.
In German, we call this "sprechendes denken".

I don't know how to translate that correctly. Maybe "spoken thinking".

It means that you just say what you are thinking without first thinking and then speaking.

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ambroseus profile image
Eugene Samonenko

hm... think this practice is.. COOL! :)

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lampewebdev profile image
Michael "lampe" Lazarski

Yeah and I think this is something nobody is talking about.

Maybe live-streaming that would be nice :)

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thefern profile image
Fernando B 🚀

I think the main reason why live coding streams are not popular is not because of coding, is mainly because some topics are too advanced for people watching and obviously loose interest quickly.

Also the coder personality tends to play a lot, if you are a straight serious coder the stream probably won't do very good. Case in point noopkat streams are very entertaining to me, she makes things fun, and not monotone at all.

Also stream platforms are really not setup at all for coding, well why you ask, because gamers bring the largest revenue.

When I watch a coding stream, I want to see the code editor front and center when coding, and not see the editor when the streamer is explaining things or doing something else other than coding. Also I do not want to see a chat, and preferable when the text editor is shown maybe the streamer on a small corner. Anyways so many youtube videos go on a tangent, and make things very hard to follow. In my personal opinion I don't think I would do a good and interesting stream lol is too much going on chat, people subscribing, asking questions, etc. I am amazed at how well some people manage to stay afloat while streaming, I have a lot of respect for live coding streamers.

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lampewebdev profile image
Michael "lampe" Lazarski

Yeah, I think your right.

I mean most of that skills you can learn ;)