Finding and fixing bugs in software is tedious. One of my old co-workers put it well with the pseudo-math formula that “mental state is proportional to amount of new code written”. (hmm, I was tempted to include the correct symbol for is proportional to there but I’m not sure that all readers would follow it…. yes I know, you and you can put your hands down, I know you’re both cleverclogs, all mathy and such!)
We have an open-plan work area and a lot of the time we’re pairing on stuff, 2 developers to one computer. When working solo on tasks, though, we’re allowed to wear headphones and play music. Queen’s “Greatest Hits I” and “Greatest Hits II” make for great working tunes. Bryan May’s guitar work in “A kind of magic” is understated yet expressive, flawless in timing. A treat.