Go with the flow: Software engineers and distractions

Abstract

Ideally, software engineers work in the state of flow: performing challenging tasks like system modelling with a series of routine actions, incorporating immediate IDE feedback, experiencing time distortion and managing harmful interruptions when necessary. We hypothesise that the ability to maintain the state of flow and the skill to get back into flow faster after being interrupted, are essential skills for software engineers, and that developing these increases the capacity to become good software engineers if given sufficient guidance and education. In this position paper, we link flow to trance and contemplate how techniques from the world of sport psychology can be used to teach learners to become better at software design, modelling, programming and debugging, as well as suggesting a means to assess the potential future success of undergraduate study seekers.