Master Touch Typing = Better Programming Experience?

[BattleZoneHD]

Does mastering touch typing effect or improve your programming experience?
Do you know any programmers who touch type?
Do you touch type?
Let me know. I failed touch typing class in 1st-3rd grade. But I found an app that could teach me for free.

[superLED]

I have mastered the Touch Type stuff. Started using it since I was ~12 years old.
With this technique, I never have to look at the keyboard (because both index fingers are on the 'raised' part of F and J, so I always know where I am. Can find them in total darkness).
I have 'trained' where all the letters, numbers and symbols are, so I can easily write them out without looking or hesitate.
And I believe it has made me a faster writer.

(And since I never look at the keyboard, I look at the text on the screen instead, so I instantly know if I've typed something wrong and can fix it asap)

I don't know how you are writing at the moment, but with this method, your wrist can calmly rest on in the front of the keyboard. They are relaxed, and it doesn't matter if you are covering the keyboard from your sight, because you don't need to look.

[eatcomics]

Yeah, not properly typing is a bit of a roadblock in coding, as time spent typing is lengthened so much.

[BattleZoneHD]

Thank you for a detailed and helpful response. That'll be another thing I need to learn this summer.

[dandymcgee]

It depends how you define touch typing (it's a bit of a buzz-word that I have seen defined many different ways). If you're just referring to the ability to type without looking down at the keyboard, then yes that absolutely makes a difference with doing anything on a computer.

I personally type around ~80-90 wpm on average, when I'm not over-exerting myself. I don't think it gives me any advantage whatsoever over a programmer equally as experienced who can only type at 30 wpm. Speed doesn't matter much, as long as you can keep your eyes on the screen and not be distracted by staring at your keyboard while you type (which makes it near impossible to catch your typos).

If you want a fun place to practice, check out http://www.typeracer.com. I'm willing to race you any time, anywhere.

[qpHalcy0n]

I'm doing REALLY well if I can get around 80wpm. This really doesn't matter from a good design aspect as the majority of your time SHOULD be spent away from the computer anyways. If the majority of your time is spent typing code then your design is likely ill conceived. Don't focus too much on typing fast.

[eatcomics]

I love typeracer dandy. Back in junior high a friend and I were always way ahead of the class, so we'd spend our time racing eachother on there. The kid was really smart, he was usually around 110 or so when we raced, and I was like fuck this, 95 wpm...

Edit: This kid also dropped out of highschool and now does a lot of drugs. Life.

[BattleZoneHD]

Slow and Steady Wins the Race. YOU WON. In life.