Unlocking AI’s Potential for Programming Productivity and Flow Without the Pitfalls
Tags: flow, artificialintelligen, programming, ai
Published: 2023-07-04 03:09:37

---
title: Unlocking AI’s Potential for Programming Productivity and Flow Without the Pitfalls
published: true
date: 2023-05-28 22:01:40 UTC
tags: flow,artificialintelligen,programming,ai
canonical_url: https://fagnerbrack.com/unlocking-ais-potential-for-programming-productivity-and-flow-without-the-pitfalls-97c0c457d3e4
---

Some developers might be sceptical about using AI tools like Github Copilot due to the occasional incorrect answers. However, my experience has been quite the opposite. Although I was very sceptical at the beginning, the real power of these tools lies in their ability to increase productivity and maintain the creative flow, not to provide correct answers. In this blog post, we’ll explore the ways in which AI tools can help you harness these benefits and transform your development process.

![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*KrA2zXLieQYc9co0Bz3EJg.jpeg)

Although AI tools like Copilot may sometimes provide incorrect answers, their real value lies in their ability to improve productivity and facilitate action and flow. By providing an initial approach to coding problems and keeping developers engaged, AI tools can help you stay focused and maintain your creative momentum.

It’s been shown[1] that after only 20 minutes of interrupted performance, people reported significantly higher stress, frustration, workload, effort, and pressure. It can take 15 minutes or more for people to get back into the flow after being interrupted during a programming task [2]. However, what I noticed in my own experiments is that AI tools like Github Copilot help me regain my focus in a matter of seconds. By offering personalized suggestions within the IDE, the copilot can quickly bring me back to my task and minimize the time spent regaining my bearings.

Here's an example: I was designing a simple validation function using [TDD](https://fagnerbrack.com/you-dont-know-tdd-691efe670094) (Detroit School), and I got distracted by something outside and lost my focus. I asked ChatGPT to "continue TDD to build the next test from where I left off". After a few enter key presses, it suggested the wrong test based on the previous ones, but at least by analysing its suggestion, I managed to delete it and get back on track, knowing exactly what the next step was.

Here's the thing: AI tools can provide a starting point for tackling familiar problems, even if their initial solutions are not perfect. This technique is reminiscent of psychological methods used to overcome procrastination and maintain action and flow [3]. By offering an imperfect solution, AI prompts developers to recall the correct approach, allowing them to efficiently tackle problems they’ve solved numerous times before.

#### Overcoming the Dreaded “Blank Page”

The “blank page” refers to the overwhelming feeling of staring at an empty screen, unsure of how to start a project or tackle a problem. AI tools like Copilot can help developers overcome this barrier by providing initial suggestions and code snippets to kick-start the creative process.

The convenience of staying within the IDE view and receiving personalized suggestions makes AI tools like Copilot invaluable for keeping developers on track and avoiding time-consuming rabbit holes. By providing targeted assistance within the familiar environment of the IDE, developers can maintain their focus and avoid distractions, which is very useful for those with ADHD.

The benefits of using AI tools like copilot in software development extend far beyond their potential for generating code. Their real power lies in their ability to help developers regain their flow, maintain focus, and overcome common barriers such as the dreaded “blank page.” It allows for an accessible work environment for those with ADHD.

So, maybe that tap on the shoulder won’t be so costly now that you have a tool that can help you get back into the flow?

Thanks to [Jeremy Nagel](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy/) for their insightful input on this post.

Thanks for reading. If you have feedback, contact me on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/FagnerBrack), [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/fagnerbrack/) or [Github](http://github.com/FagnerMartinsBrack).

**References**

**1:** [Mark, G., Gudith, D., & Klocke, U. (2008). The cost of interrupted work: More speed and stress. _ACM_.](https://www.ics.uci.edu/~gmark/chi08-mark.pdf)

**2:** [Parnin, C., & Rugaber, S. (2010). Resumption strategies for interrupted programming tasks. _Springer Science+Business Media, LLC_.](http://chrisparnin.me/pdf/parnin-sqj11.pdf)

**3:** Pychyl, T. A., & Flett, G. L. (2012). Procrastination and self-regulatory failure: An introduction to the special issue. _Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 30_(4), 203–212. [https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-012-0149-5](https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1007/s10942-012-0149-5)