Typing for Programmers: Tips, habits, and best practices

As a programmer, typing is an essential part of your work as you will spend most of your time writing statements that make your code work.

However, many programmers may not realize that their typing habits can greatly affect their productivity and efficiency when writing their code.

Developing good typing habits, such as using all ten fingers, keeping your wrists straight, and taking regular breaks, can help prevent typing-related injuries and improve your speed and accuracy.

Additionally, learning keyboard shortcuts and customizing your keyboard layout can save you time and make your work more efficient.

Did you know that touch typing, or typing without looking at the keyboard, can increase your typing speed by up to three times compared to the average typist.

Why is proper typing important for programmers?

Proper typing is essential for programmers because it can greatly affect their productivity, efficiency, and overall health.

Here are some reasons why:

1. Speed and accuracy: Programmers often have to type large amounts of code, documentation, and emails on a daily basis. By improving your typing speed and accuracy, you can save valuable time and reduce the likelihood of errors. This is especially important when working on tight deadlines or complex projects.
2. Comfort and ergonomics: Typing for long periods of time can put a strain on the hands, wrists, and arms, leading to discomfort, fatigue, and even injury. Proper typing technique, such as keeping your wrists straight and using a comfortable keyboard, can help prevent these issues and make typing more comfortable.
3. Health and safety: Typing-related injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis (De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis. Also known as “mommy’s thumb” or “texting thumb,”), are common among programmers. These injuries can cause pain, numbness, and reduced mobility in the affected areas. Developing good typing habits, such as taking breaks and using ergonomic equipment, can help prevent these injuries.
4. Efficiency and productivity: Learning keyboard shortcuts and customizing your keyboard layout can greatly improve your efficiency and productivity as a programmer. By reducing the time it takes to perform common tasks, such as copying and pasting code snippets or navigating through files, you can focus more on the actual programming and problem-solving.
5. Professionalism and image: In today’s fast-paced and tech-driven world, good typing skills are increasingly becoming a basic requirement for many programming jobs. Poor typing skills can give the impression of unprofessionalism and lack of attention to detail, potentially affecting your job prospects and reputation as a programmer.

Now, let’s get into the tips, habits, and best practices for typing for programmers, coder, software engineers, or whatever title people who write code prefer to be called.

Typing Tips, Habits, and Best Practices for Programmers

1. Learn to use all ten fingers

One of the most important typing tips for programmers is to learn to use all ten fingers when typing. This is because it can greatly improve your typing speed, accuracy, and efficiency.

Using all ten fingers also reduces the strain on your hands, wrists, and arms, preventing injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.

Ways to learn to type will all 10 fingers

Typing tutors and online courses:

There are numerous typing tutors and online courses available that can help you learn to use all ten fingers. These programs typically provide interactive exercises and games that gradually build up your typing skills.

Practice and repetition: Consistent practice and repetition is key to mastering any skill, including typing. Set aside time each day to practice typing with all ten fingers, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

Finger placement techniques: Learning the correct finger placement techniques is important for developing good typing habits. There are several popular finger placement methods, including QWERTY, Dvorak, and Colemak. Choose the one that feels most comfortable and intuitive for you.

How to learn to type will all 10 fingers effectively

1. Choose a typing tutor or online course that suits your learning style and goals. Some popular options include Typing.com, TypingClub, and Keybr. For me, I love Keybr, as it is simple with a nice user interface that is intuitive.
2. Set aside time each day to practice typing with all ten fingers. Start with simple exercises and gradually work your way up to more complex tasks.
3. Focus on accuracy first, then work on speed. Typing quickly is important, but it’s more important to be accurate and minimize errors.

Learning materials

1. Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing – The software features a variety of typing exercises and games designed to help users practice typing using proper finger placement and technique. The program also includes typing tests to help users track their progress and assess their typing speed and accuracy.
2. Typing.com – a free online typing tutor that offers lessons, games, and tests to help you improve your typing skills.
3. TypingClub – a popular typing tutor that provides customized lessons and tracks your progress.
4. Keybr – an online typing tutor that uses an AI algorithm to generate personalized exercises based on your typing habits.
5. TypingMaster – a typing tutor with a variety of lessons and games, as well as a typing speed test to track your progress.

2. Keep your wrists straight while typing

Keeping your wrists straight while typing is important to prevent strain and injury, and to promote ergonomic typing posture.

Here are some ways to keep your wrists straight while typing:

1. Adjust your keyboard: Make sure your keyboard is at the correct height and angle. Ideally, your forearms should be parallel to the floor, and your wrists should be straight and neutral.
2. Use wrist supports: Use wrist supports or cushions to help maintain proper wrist position and prevent fatigue. They can also help distribute the weight of your arms more evenly, reducing the strain on your wrists.
3. Take breaks: Take frequent breaks to stretch your arms, shoulders, and neck, and to rest your wrists. This can help reduce tension and fatigue in your muscles and prevent repetitive strain injuries.
4. Use proper posture: Sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor and your back against the chair. This can help maintain proper spinal alignment and reduce the risk of back pain.
5. Learn proper typing technique: Use all ten fingers to type, and avoid bending your wrists or fingers unnaturally. This can help reduce the strain on your wrists and improve your typing speed and accuracy.

Some examples of exercises and stretches you can do to help keep your wrists straight include:

1. Wrist extension exercise: Hold your right arm straight out in front of you with your palm facing down. Use your left hand to gently pull your right hand back towards your wrist until you feel a stretch. Hold for 10-15 seconds, then switch sides.
2. Wrist flexion exercise: Hold your right arm straight out in front of you with your palm facing up. Use your left hand to gently press your right hand down towards your wrist until you feel a stretch. Hold for 10-15 seconds, then switch sides.
3. Wrist rotation exercise: Hold your right arm straight out in front of you with your palm facing down. Rotate your wrist in a circular motion, making small circles in both directions. Repeat on the other side.

3. Sit in a proper posture

Sitting in a proper posture is crucial for programmers because it can prevent back pain, neck strain, and other musculoskeletal disorders that can result from prolonged sitting.

Proper posture ensures that your body is properly aligned, allowing your muscles, joints, and bones to work in a way that reduces stress and strain.

Here are some ways to sit in a proper posture while programming:

1. Sit with your back straight: Make sure your back is straight and not hunched over. Keep your shoulders relaxed and avoid slouching.
2. Use a supportive chair: Use a chair that provides adequate support for your back and neck. The chair should be adjustable in height and have armrests that can be adjusted to the right height.
3. Keep your feet flat on the floor: Keep your feet flat on the floor and avoid crossing your legs or ankles. This helps maintain proper alignment of your hips, knees, and ankles.
4. Position your monitor correctly: Position your monitor so that the top of the screen is at or slightly below eye level. This helps reduce strain on your neck.
5. Take frequent breaks: Take frequent breaks to stand up, stretch, and move around. This helps reduce the risk of back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders.

4. Use a comfortable and soft keyboard

Using a comfortable and soft keyboard is important for programmers because it can greatly reduce the risk of injury and make typing more comfortable and efficient.

Here are some ways to ensure you’re using a comfortable and soft keyboard:

1. Choose the right type of keyboard: There are different types of keyboards available on the market, such as mechanical, membrane, and scissor-switch keyboards. It’s important to choose a keyboard that feels comfortable to type on and suits your needs.
2. Consider the key travel distance: The key travel distance refers to the amount of force needed to press a key and how far it goes down when pressed. A shorter key travel distance can reduce finger fatigue and make typing more comfortable and efficient.
3. Look for ergonomic features: Many keyboards come with ergonomic features, such as wrist rests and adjustable heights. These features can help prevent typing-related injuries and make typing more comfortable for extended periods of time. One of my favorite key configuration/tray is the 3M Keyboard Tray
4. Check the key layout: Make sure the keyboard has a layout that you’re comfortable with. Some keyboards have non-standard layouts, which can be frustrating to use for touch typists.

5. Learn common keyboard shortcuts

Learning common keyboard shortcuts is an important part of improving your typing efficiency and productivity as a programmer. Keyboard shortcuts are combinations of keys that perform a specific action, such as copying and pasting text or navigating through files.

Here are some reasons why learning keyboard shortcuts is important for programmers, as well as some ways to learn and practice them:

1. Speed and Efficiency: One of the primary benefits of keyboard shortcuts is that they can save you time and improve your efficiency. Instead of manually navigating through menus or clicking buttons, you can perform common tasks with just a few keystrokes. This can greatly improve your productivity and speed when working on programming tasks. For example, instead of using your mouse to copy and paste text, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+C” and “Ctrl+V”.
2. Reduction of Typing Errors: Using keyboard shortcuts also reduces the likelihood of typing errors. By eliminating the need to manually type out long commands, you can reduce the likelihood of making mistakes or typos. For example, instead of typing out “print” in Python, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+P” to quickly execute the print command.
3. Improved Workflow: Keyboard shortcuts can also help streamline your workflow by reducing the number of steps required to complete a task. For example, instead of opening a new file, navigating to the desired directory, and creating a new file, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+N” to quickly create a new file in your current directory.

To learn and practice keyboard shortcuts, you can start by familiarizing yourself with the most commonly used shortcuts in your programming environment.

Many programming editors, such as Visual Studio Code, have a built-in list of keyboard shortcuts or key bindings that you can reference. You can also find online resources, such as cheat sheets and interactive tutorials, that provide a comprehensive list of shortcuts for your programming language or editor.

6. Practice typing regularly

Practicing typing regularly is one of the most effective ways to improve your typing speed and accuracy as a programmer.

Here’s why it’s important and some ways to practice:

Importance:

Practicing typing regularly can help you develop muscle memory, which is essential for typing without looking at the keyboard.

This can greatly improve your speed and accuracy, making it easier to keep up with fast-paced programming tasks.

Additionally, regular practice can help you identify and correct bad typing habits, such as typing with only a few fingers or using improper posture.

Ways to practice:

There are many ways to practice typing regularly.

As a start, write and practice writing code more. Browse over couple of open source software solutions written in the programming language you are familiar with. Read the code and write the code yourself while identifying the tying mistakes you make as you go. As you learn these mistakes, correct them and make it a habit of writing effective and concise code.

Take typing tests: Online typing tests, such as 10fastfingers and TypingTest.com, can help you track your typing speed and accuracy over time. These tests typically involve typing a short passage and measuring your speed and accuracy in words per minute (WPM) or characters per minute (CPM).

Involve yourself in typing games: Online typing games, such as Typing.com, TypingClub, and Nitrotype, can be a fun and engaging way to practice typing. These games typically involve typing words, sentences, or even entire paragraphs as quickly and accurately as possible.

How to practice typing regularly

• Use all ten fingers: Make sure you’re using all ten fingers to type, not just a few.
• Keep your wrists straight: Keep your wrists straight and not bent when typing to prevent injury and strain.
• Take breaks: Take breaks frequently to stretch and rest your hands.
• Use proper posture: Sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor to prevent back pain and maintain good posture.
• Practice regularly: Aim to practice typing for at least 10-15 minutes every day to develop muscle memory and improve your speed and accuracy over time.

7. Use a wrist rest to support your wrist

Using a wrist rest is an important way to prevent typing-related injuries and discomfort, especially for programmers who type for extended periods of time.

Here’s why it’s important and some ways to effectively use a wrist rest:

1. Prevents wrist strain: Typing for long periods of time can cause strain and tension in the wrists, leading to pain and discomfort. Using a wrist rest helps support your wrists and keep them in a neutral position, reducing the risk of strain and injury.
2. Improves typing accuracy: When your wrists are supported, your fingers can move more freely and accurately, which can improve your typing speed and accuracy. This can be especially helpful when typing long lines of code or documentation.
3. Provides comfort: A wrist rest provides a cushion for your wrists, making typing more comfortable and reducing fatigue. This can help prevent repetitive strain injuries and other typing-related discomfort.

To use a wrist rest effectively, here are some things to consider:

1. Position your wrist rest correctly: Position the wrist rest directly in front of your keyboard, so your wrists are supported while typing. Make sure it’s at a comfortable height for your typing position.
2. Use it consistently: Use your wrist rest consistently while typing, rather than just for short periods of time. This will help prevent injury and discomfort over the long term.
3. Choose a comfortable wrist rest: There are many different types of wrist rests available, including gel, foam, and memory foam. Choose one that feels comfortable to use and provides the support you need.

8. Customize your keyboard layout if need be

Customizing your keyboard layout is a great way to improve your typing efficiency and productivity as a programmer.

Here are some reasons why it’s important, ways to do it, and some learning materials to help you get started:

Why it’s important:

• Customizing your keyboard layout can help you reduce the time it takes to perform common programming tasks, such as typing code snippets, navigating through files, and executing commands.
• By mapping commonly used keys to more accessible locations or creating macros, you can reduce the strain on your hands and fingers and make typing more comfortable.
• Customizing your keyboard layout can help you reduce the likelihood of errors and increase your accuracy by reducing the need to search for specific keys or remember complex commands.

Ways to customize your keyboard layout:

1. Keyboard mapping software: There are many free and paid software options available that allow you to remap keys, create macros, and customize keyboard shortcuts. Some popular options include AutoHotkey, SharpKeys, and KeyTweak.
2. Hardware customization: If you prefer physical changes to your keyboard, you can replace keycaps, add stickers or labels, or use specialized keypads or keyboards designed for programming.
3. Operating system settings: Most operating systems allow you to customize keyboard shortcuts and keybindings. For example, you can customize the Windows key combinations or create custom shortcuts on a Mac or Linux using the System Preferences.

Examples of keyboard customization:

• Mapping commonly used symbols, such as brackets, parentheses, and semicolons, to more accessible keys or creating macros to type them with a single keystroke.
• Adding shortcuts for frequently used commands, such as “Save”, “Copy”, “Paste”, and “Undo”.
• Remapping non-essential keys, such as the Caps Lock or Scroll Lock keys, to more useful functions, such as launching applications or executing scripts.

Learning materials:

1. AutoHotkey Tutorial: This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide on how to use AutoHotkey to customize your keyboard layout and create macros.
2. SharpKeys Tutorial: This tutorial provides a beginner-friendly introduction to SharpKeys, a free software for remapping keys on Windows.
3. KeyTweak Tutorial: This tutorial provides an overview of KeyTweak, a free keyboard mapping software for Windows.

Examples of typing practice sites for programmers

Here are the best examples of typing practice sites, which can be beneficial for programmers. I have used them a lot in my efforts to learn to type faster and they are really great.

1. Typing.io: This site provides typing lessons based on real-world code examples, such as JavaScript, Python, Ruby, and more. It includes advanced features like typing speed analysis, error tracking, and customized typing tests. The best one for programmers.
2. Keybr.com: Keybr.com is a popular online typing tutor that offers typing lessons specifically for anyone.
3. TypingClub.com: TypingClub.com is a comprehensive typing tutor that offers lessons on touch typing, keyboarding skills, and typing practice.
4. Typing.com: Typing.com is a popular typing tutor that offers typing exercises for programmers, including lessons on coding-specific fundamentals such as vocabulary and syntax. It also includes a personalized learning experience with progress tracking and gamification features. It works for anyone, especially when you want to learn a lingo for a particular career or profession.

FAQs

What is the average typing speed of programmers?

According to HackerRank, the average typing speed for most programmers is 55 words per minute.

However, it’s important to note that this is just an average, and typing speed can vary widely depending on individual factors such as experience, familiarity with the programming language, and level of typing practice.

In my own experience, I have seen the value of touch typing and proficient typing skills in improving my productivity and efficiency when writing code.

By developing good typing habits and techniques, programmers can reduce the time and effort required to complete coding tasks, allowing them to focus more on the actual problem-solving aspects of programming.

While reaching an average typing speed is an important goal for programmers, it’s important to note that typing speed is not the only measure of typing proficiency. Other factors, such as accuracy, consistency, and comfort, also play an important role in effective typing.

For example, a programmer may be able to type quickly, but if their accuracy is low, they may spend more time correcting errors than actually typing.

Similarly, a programmer who types with poor posture or positioning may experience discomfort or even injury, which can negatively impact their productivity and health.

Therefore, in addition to focusing on typing speed, programmers should also pay attention to other aspects of typing proficiency, such as posture, positioning, and accuracy.

By taking a holistic approach to typing proficiency, programmers can ensure that they are typing effectively and efficiently, while also maintaining good health and well-being.

How can I prevent typing-related injuries as a programmer?

Typing-related injuries are a common problem among programmers who spend long hours typing at their computers.

These injuries can range from minor discomfort to more serious conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or repetitive strain injury.

However, there are several ways that programmers can prevent typing-related injuries, including:

1. Take frequent breaks: It’s important to take regular breaks from typing to rest your hands and wrists. Aim for a 10 to 15-minute break every hour to stretch and move around.
2. Use proper posture and positioning: Sit with your back straight and your feet flat on the floor. Your wrists should be straight and at the same level as your keyboard. Using a wrist pad or ergonomic keyboard can help maintain good posture and positioning.
3. Stretch regularly: Stretch your hands and wrists regularly throughout the day to prevent stiffness and tension. Simple exercises like wrist curls and finger extensions can help maintain flexibility.
4. Adjust your keyboard and mouse: Make sure your keyboard and mouse are positioned correctly and at a comfortable height. Consider using a split keyboard or ergonomic mouse to reduce strain on your hands and wrists.
5. Type lightly: Avoid hitting the keys too hard, as this can put unnecessary strain on your fingers and wrists. Use a light touch and type at a comfortable speed.
6. Use voice recognition software: Consider using voice recognition software to reduce the amount of typing required. This can help reduce the risk of typing-related injuries.
7. Exercise regularly: Regular exercise, especially activities that strengthen the hands, wrists, and forearms, can help prevent typing-related injuries.

Is it important to take breaks while typing for long periods of time?

It is important to take breaks while typing for long periods of time. Typing for extended periods can lead to various physical issues, including eye strain, headaches, and pain or stiffness in the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands.

Taking regular breaks from typing can help prevent or alleviate these issues and improve productivity.

One of the reasons why taking breaks is important is that it allows your eyes to rest. Staring at a computer screen for long periods can cause eye strain and fatigue, which can lead to headaches and difficulty focusing.

Taking a short break every 20-30 minutes to look away from the screen and focus on something in the distance can help reduce eye strain and fatigue.

Another reason why taking breaks is important is that it allows your hands and wrists to rest. Typing for long periods can cause strain and tension in the hands, wrists, and forearms, which can lead to conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis.

Taking regular breaks to stretch and rest your hands and wrists can help prevent or alleviate these issues.

I have noticed a significant improvement in my productivity, typing speed and accuracy, and reduced wrist discomfort and stiffness after following these typing habits:

1. Taking breaks every hour to stretch,
2. Moving around every now and then,
3. Adjusting my keyboard and mouse to a more comfortable position,
4. Using a wrist pad to maintain proper positioning, and
5. Doing some regular hand and wrist exercises, like wrist curls and finger extensions, to maintain flexibility and strength.

Taking breaks and implementing proper ergonomic practices can help prevent or alleviate typing-related injuries and improve overall health and productivity.

How can I improve my typing for coding?

Improving typing skills is crucial for programmers, as coding involves typing a large amount of code accurately and efficiently. Developing good typing skills can increase productivity, reduce errors, and minimize stress.

The best way to improve typing for coding is to practice regularly. Typing is a skill that needs to be honed and mastered, just like any other skill. To become a proficient coder, it is essential to have fast, accurate typing skills.

Here are some actionable habits to improve your typing for coding:

1. Set aside a dedicated time to practice typing. Start off with 20 minutes a day and gradually increase the duration as your skills improve.
2. Practice regularly: The more you practice, the better you’ll become. Set aside some time each day to practice typing, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
3. Use an online typing tutor to help track your progress. Many websites offer free typing tutorials that are tailored to coding.
4. Use touch typing: Touch typing is a technique where you type without looking at the keyboard. This will help you type faster and more accurately.
5. Type out code samples from online tutorials or from your own coding projects. This will help you become more familiar with the coding language and also boost your typing speed.
6. Make sure you use the correct finger placement on the keyboard to maximize efficiency. Make sure you’re using the correct fingers to type each key. This will help you type faster and more accurately.
7. Take regular breaks to avoid straining your hands or eyes.
8. Aim for accuracy over speed. You can always speed up later, but accuracy is essential. Accuracy is more important than speed when it comes to coding. Take your time and make sure you’re typing the correct characters.
9. Learn keyboard shortcuts: Keyboard shortcuts can save you a lot of time when coding. Learn the most important shortcuts for your programming language and text editor.
10. Use a comfortable keyboard: Make sure you’re using a comfortable keyboard that suits your typing style. A keyboard with a good tactile response can make a big difference.

Conclusion

Improving your typing skills is essential for programmers who want to increase their productivity and efficiency. By using touch typing, focusing on accuracy, learning keyboard shortcuts, using a comfortable keyboard, taking breaks, and practicing regularly, you can become a faster and more accurate typist, which will help you write better code in less time.

Incorporating these tips, habits, and best practices into your daily routine can result in significant improvements in your coding abilities.