[denton-scratch]

I got severely dinged for saying in a standup that I had forgotten what I was doing the previous day.

So I bought an A4 hardback notebook, and started logging everything I did. I wish I had been doing that since I started in this business; it's a really good work habit.

[agentultra]

I wish more programmers knew about this!

I keep a lot of journals. Bullet journals for my daily tasks/planning. Long form journals for deep subject matter: maths, graphics, algorithms, etc. Combined with my writing it's definitely been a useful way to see how I've evolved my thinking over time, etc.

Keep at it!

[gardenhedge]

Isn't this what Jira, Azure Boards, sticky notes are for? You reference the sticky note when talking about what you did. If there's no note for it then your planning was probably bad.

[Starwatcher2001]

I tried paper and log books for a long time (I've got half a filing cabinets worth), but no matter what system I used I couldn't always find what I wanted. (When did I last modify routine xyz, and why?).

Moving to flat ascii files meant it's searchable and has longevity as it doesn't need any specific tool or app. I can also carry the lot around with me - very useful on site.

Cheers.

[denton-scratch]

Well, I never used my log books as an information retrieval system; the prime purpose was to help me remember what I did an hour ago, a day ago, a week ago.

Of course, I have a digital file of timestamped and commented code snippets and pieces of config. But that's just about the activity of coding; I now think a handwritten log is a good idea for anyone, whatever their trade.

The reason I recommend a hardback notebook, is because it offers the best CYA protection (I was caned as a child). It's sorta symbolic - hard evidence, if you like.

[Edit] You can also scribble in your notebook in meetings, while glancing furtively over your spectacle rims, to intimidate the speaker. Hard copy is power.

[bherb]

How do you organize the files? One per day? Task? Project?

[Starwatcher2001]

I use a heirarchy of folders and within them I create a text file for each main task:

\work\customername\StockSystem

MyCust001 - Interface not updating PickStatus.txt

MyCust002 - Add Stock Check Flag to ScanPullStock.txt

MyCust003 - Look at enhancing Batch Split screen.txt

I use the numbers as a quick reference within all my documents.

\personal\Diving

Diving book recommendations.txt

Diving gas tables.txt

\personal\DIY

Standard screw sizes.txt

Choosing new security lights.txt

Getting new consumer unit fitted.txt

I add the date and time to a line whenever I start, or after a break. (Pressing F7 on UltraEdit does this automatically). I can use this retrospectively to see how long things took.