Productivity
Why I Switched from QWERTY to Dvorak (And Why You Might Too)
In the world of programming, typing is more than just a means of communication—it’s the lifeblood of our craft. Every line of code, every comment, every commit message is a product of our fingers dancing across the keyboard. For years, I typed on the QWERTY layout, the default keyboard layout that’s been ingrained in our culture since the 1870s. It’s the layout we’re taught in school, the one that comes pre-installed on every device, and the one most of us have never questioned. But what if I told you there’s a better way? A way to type faster, more accurately, and with less strain on your hands and wrists? That’s exactly what I discovered when I made the switch from QWERTY to Dvorak.
This blog post is my journey—why I decided to switch, the challenges I faced, the benefits I’ve reaped, and why you, as a programmer, might want to consider making the switch too. I’ll also share how ThePrimeagen, a software engineer and content creator, inspired me to take the leap. Whether you’re a seasoned developer, a coding bootcamp student, or just someone who spends a lot of time typing, this post is for you. By the end, you might just find yourself questioning whether QWERTY is truly the best option for you.
The Motivation from ThePrimeagen
Before diving into the technicalities of keyboard layouts, I want to share what initially sparked my interest in Dvorak. Like many programmers, I spend a lot of time watching coding tutorials, live streams, and tech talks. One of my favorite creators is ThePrimeagen, a software engineer known for his fast and efficient coding skills, entertaining streams, and no-nonsense approach to programming.
ThePrimeagen is a vocal advocate for the Dvorak layout, and watching him type at breakneck speeds while coding live on stream was nothing short of mesmerizing. His fingers seemed to glide effortlessly across the keyboard, and his accuracy was impeccable. What really stood out to me was how he attributed much of his typing efficiency to Dvorak. He often talked about how the layout reduced strain on his hands and allowed him to type faster and more comfortably—something every programmer can appreciate.
Seeing someone as skilled as ThePrimeagen swear by Dvorak made me curious. If this layout could help him achieve such incredible results, why couldn’t it do the same for me? That curiosity eventually turned into motivation, and I decided to take the plunge and switch to Dvorak myself.
The QWERTY Conundrum
The Ubiquity of QWERTY
Let’s start with the obvious: QWERTY is everywhere. It’s on our laptops, desktops, smartphones, tablets, and even ATMs. It’s the layout we’ve all grown up with, and for most of us, it’s the only layout we’ve ever known. But have you ever stopped to wonder why QWERTY is laid out the way it is?
The QWERTY layout was designed in the 1870s by Christopher Sholes, the inventor of the first commercially successful typewriter. At the time, typewriters had a significant mechanical limitation: if two adjacent keys were pressed in quick succession, the mechanical arms would jam. To solve this problem, Sholes deliberately placed commonly used letter pairs (like “th” and “he”) far apart from each other. This reduced the likelihood of jamming and made typing more efficient—for the machine, at least.
But here’s the thing: modern keyboards don’t have this problem. The mechanical arms are long gone, replaced by electronic switches that don’t jam. Yet, we’re still using a layout that was designed to solve a problem that no longer exists. This got me thinking: is QWERTY really the best layout for typing in the 21st century, especially for programmers who spend hours typing code?
The Ergonomics of QWERTY
As a programmer, I spend a significant portion of my day typing—whether it’s writing code, debugging, or documenting my work. Over time, I started noticing discomfort in my hands and wrists. I invested in ergonomic chairs, adjustable desks, and even split keyboards, but I never really thought about the layout of the keys themselves.
The QWERTY layout is not particularly ergonomic. It requires a lot of finger movement, especially for common letters like “E” and “A,” which are placed on the top row. This means your fingers have to travel further to reach these keys, which can lead to fatigue and strain over time. Additionally, QWERTY places a disproportionate amount of work on the left hand. If you’re a touch typist, you’ll notice that your left hand does a lot more work than your right hand. This imbalance can lead to discomfort and even repetitive strain injuries (RSI) like carpal tunnel syndrome—something no programmer wants to deal with.
The Search for a Better Layout
All of these issues led me to start looking for a better keyboard layout. I wanted something that would allow me to type faster, more accurately, and with less strain on my hands and wrists. That’s when I stumbled upon the Dvorak Simplified Keyboard.
The Dvorak Revelation
What is Dvorak?
The Dvorak Simplified Keyboard is an alternative keyboard layout designed by Dr. August Dvorak and his brother-in-law, Dr. William Dealey, in the 1930s. Unlike QWERTY, which was designed to prevent jamming, Dvorak was designed with efficiency and ergonomics in mind.
The Dvorak layout places the most commonly used letters in the English language on the home row, where your fingers naturally rest. This means your fingers have to move less to reach these keys, which can lead to faster typing speeds and less strain on your hands and wrists. For example, on a QWERTY keyboard, only about 32% of typing is done on the home row. On Dvorak, that number jumps to around 70%.
The Benefits of Dvorak for Programmers
After doing some research, I discovered that Dvorak offers several advantages over QWERTY, especially for programmers:
- Faster Typing Speed: Because the most commonly used letters are on the home row, your fingers have to move less, which can lead to faster typing speeds. This is a huge advantage when you’re trying to crank out code quickly.
- Increased Comfort: The reduced finger movement also means less strain on your hands and wrists, making typing more comfortable during long coding sessions.
- Improved Accuracy: With the most commonly used letters on the home row, you’re less likely to make mistakes. This is especially important when writing code, where a single typo can cause a program to fail.
- Better for Typing Code: As a programmer, I found that Dvorak’s layout is more conducive to typing code. Common programming symbols like brackets (
[]), slashes (/), and colons (:) are more accessible on Dvorak, which can make coding faster and more efficient. - Reduced Strain on Hands and Wrists: The ergonomic design of Dvorak reduces the risk of repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a significant benefit for anyone who spends a lot of time typing, as it can help prevent long-term damage to your hands and wrists.
The Decision to Switch
After learning about the benefits of Dvorak and being inspired by ThePrimeagen’s success, I decided to give it a try. I knew that switching from QWERTY to Dvorak would be a challenge, but I was willing to put in the effort if it meant improving my typing speed, accuracy, and comfort—especially as a programmer who relies heavily on typing.
The Journey of Switching
The Initial Challenge
Switching from QWERTY to Dvorak was not easy. The first few days were incredibly frustrating. I was so used to the QWERTY layout that my fingers automatically went to the wrong keys. It felt like I was learning to type all over again.
I started by rearranging the keys on my keyboard to match the Dvorak layout. This helped me visualize where the keys were, but it didn’t make typing any easier. I found myself constantly looking down at the keyboard, trying to find the right keys.
The Learning Curve
I knew that if I wanted to make the switch, I would need to commit to it fully. I decided to go cold turkey and stop using QWERTY altogether. This meant that for the first few weeks, my typing speed dropped significantly. I went from typing around 125-150 words per minute (WPM) on QWERTY to barely managing 20-30 WPM on Dvorak.
But I didn’t let this discourage me. I knew that it would take time to retrain my muscle memory, and I was willing to put in the effort. I started practicing every day, using online typing tutors and Dvorak-specific typing games to help me get used to the new layout.
The Breakthrough
After about two weeks of consistent practice, I started to notice a significant improvement in my typing speed and accuracy. I was no longer looking down at the keyboard, and my fingers were starting to find the right keys without conscious thought.
By the end of the first month, I was typing at around 50-80 WPM on Dvorak. While this was still slower than my QWERTY speed, I could feel that my typing was becoming more fluid and natural. I was also experiencing less strain on my hands and wrists, which was a huge plus.
The Long-Term Benefits
Now, several months into using Dvorak, I can confidently say that the switch was worth it. My typing speed has surpassed my previous QWERTY speed, and I’m typing more accurately than ever before. I’ve also noticed a significant reduction in hand and wrist strain, which has made long coding sessions much more comfortable.
The Benefits of Dvorak Over QWERTY for Programmers
Faster Typing Speed
One of the most significant benefits of Dvorak is the potential for faster typing speeds. Because the most commonly used letters are on the home row, your fingers have to move less, which can lead to faster typing. Studies have shown that Dvorak typists can achieve speeds that are 10-20% faster than QWERTY typists. For programmers, this means you can write and debug code more efficiently.
Increased Comfort
Dvorak’s ergonomic design reduces the strain on your hands and wrists, making typing more comfortable. This is especially important for programmers who spend long hours at the keyboard. The reduced finger movement means less fatigue, allowing you to code for longer periods without discomfort.
Improved Accuracy
With the most commonly used letters on the home row, you’re less likely to make mistakes. This is crucial when writing code, where a single typo can cause a program to fail. Dvorak’s layout helps you type more accurately, reducing the time spent debugging syntax errors.
Better for Typing Code
As a programmer, I’ve found that Dvorak’s layout is more conducive to typing code. Common programming symbols like brackets ([]), slashes (/), and colons (:) are more accessible on Dvorak, which can make coding faster and more efficient. Additionally, the reduced finger movement means you can type complex code with less effort.
Reduced Strain on Hands and Wrists
The ergonomic design of Dvorak reduces the risk of repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a significant benefit for programmers, who often spend hours typing every day. By reducing strain on your hands and wrists, Dvorak can help you maintain your productivity and avoid long-term injuries.
The Challenges of Switching
The Initial Learning Curve
Switching from QWERTY to Dvorak is not easy. It requires retraining your muscle memory, which can take time and effort. The first few weeks can be incredibly frustrating, as your typing speed will likely drop significantly. However, with consistent practice, you’ll start to see improvements.
The Lack of Dvorak Keyboards
One of the challenges of switching to Dvorak is the lack of Dvorak keyboards. Most keyboards come with the QWERTY layout, and while you can rearrange the keys, it’s not always practical. This means that you’ll likely need to rely on software to switch your keyboard layout, which can be inconvenient.
The Social Aspect
Another challenge of switching to Dvorak is the social aspect. If you’re used to typing on Dvorak, you’ll likely find it difficult to type on someone else’s QWERTY keyboard. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re in a situation where you need to type quickly, like during a pair programming session or a live coding interview.
Conclusion
Switching from QWERTY to Dvorak has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my typing speed, accuracy, and comfort as a programmer. While the initial learning curve was challenging, the long-term benefits have been well worth the effort.
If you’re a programmer who spends a lot of time typing, I highly recommend giving Dvorak a try. It may take some time to get used to, but the benefits are undeniable. Faster typing speeds, increased comfort, improved accuracy, and reduced strain on your hands and wrists are just a few of the reasons why Dvorak is a superior alternative to QWERTY.
So, if you’re ready to take your typing to the next level, why not give Dvorak a try? You might just find that it’s the best decision you’ve ever made for your coding productivity. And if you need a little extra motivation, just take a page out of ThePrimeagen’s book—watch him in action, and you’ll see just how powerful Dvorak can be.
