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Scuka1 t1_j6gvhj9 wrote

Hacking in movies is usually portrayed terribly, but not using a mouse actually somewhat accurate.

Many beginner programming courses will start by teaching you how to use the console to navigate Windows as a basic skill that helps your programming efficiency.

Once you get used to the console, and also learn the relevant keyboard shortcuts, certain things can be much faster than using a mouse, especially considering the fact that you're typing code and both your hands are on the keyboard anyway so you might just as well leave them there for other tasks instead of switching your right hand back and forth.

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SilveredUndead t1_j6hez29 wrote

I work in finance, I know basically nothing about programming. 90% of my work is currently in SAP, Excel or Outlook, and I barely touch my mouse. Considering most "super elite hackers" in movies are supposed to be the absolute top of their field, I'd be very disappointed if they did use a mouse, honestly.

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AnonymousGhou t1_j6hptgk wrote

"There's a Moose, loose in the hoose!"

Sorry, random Simpsons reference for now reason.

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DWright_5 t1_j6i2y8y wrote

It’s good to be current. No need to post any past reason.

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ashrocklynn t1_j6hvu0x wrote

Still use mouse to grab sections of code and copy them, double click a variable to select it: now then you can do things like jump to its declaration, or object data, or anywhere it's called. Coding uses the mouse plenty, just not constantly

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abiessu t1_j6i1fnq wrote

And all of this can be done at least as quickly with a keyboard (in, e.g., Emacs, vi, etc.), it's only that modern programs have tried to make the mouse more useful for those who insist on using it...

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Ruadhan2300 t1_j6i8vp6 wrote

Sure. In an obfuscated manner using keyboard shortcuts that relies on you knowing there's even a command, let alone remembering what four buttons you need to press at the same time to make it do it.

Right click, see the list of common tasks, choose the thing you're doing.

Trivial.

I'd rather use a mouse than waste brain-cycles on learning keyboard shortcuts that are unique to the IDE.

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abiessu t1_j6jvg3j wrote

A similar argument can be made that touch-typing isn't really necessary to get good use out of a computer. This doesn't negate the fact that someone who learns it (and by extension might take the time to learn keyboard combinations) has a good chance of out-performing someone else who hasn't learned one or both in terms of "raw speed to do a task" in text-editing environments.

In "visual logic" or "block" programming, there's obviously no comparison since the mouse is actually required...

But going back to the shower thought that hacker-types in movies don't appear to use the mouse often, this is appropriate because the tools such a person typically uses are much more suited for keyboard-only interaction, even in their programming environments.

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ashrocklynn t1_j6ifpi9 wrote

I mean, that and I'm dealing with literally dozens of objects and variables at a time, how the ide know which I meant? Some are named similarly, making getting to the specific one through typing non trivial...

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ashrocklynn t1_j6ig6p3 wrote

I mean, it has its power to where you can do certain things with it faster; you can't discount it as an input mechanism entirely. Now, should people rely on it yes? Absolutely, 100 percent yes. But for quick selection of a specific word or words clumped on a screen at once, mouse can be quite useful...

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AuzaiphZerg t1_j6hoz7y wrote

Many beginner programming courses will start by teaching you how to not use Windows*

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Gemn1002 t1_j6italo wrote

Second this, half the time my mouse is either not connected (I only use the laptop trackpad if I really need it) or the mouse is connected but shoved out the way.

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