After learning dvorak, and trying several programmer variants, I decided to build my own flavor.
I did this for several reasons:
- Regular dvorak doesn’t improve the symbol locations for programming, and makes some of them even harder to reach.
- I didn’t like the position of the U and I characters and read studies that show switching them improves finger travel.
- For development, the placement of [], {}, and () were unbearable.
- I write novels as well, and none of the developer variants place quote keys and dash in a convenient spot.
So, using the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator, here’s what I grew over a month’s worth of tweaking (click for a larger view):
The highlights:
- U and I switched from classic dvorak
- Number keys moved so most frequent used on strongest fingers
- Number keys switched with symbols for easier development, assumes that long numbers would use the numeric keypad anyways
- Caps lock key shifts number line, for easy numeric entry
- ; and : –used incessantly in programming, easier to reach instead of jammed on the old z key
- ‘ and ” get their own keys (no shift to press for them – benefits programming and writing)
- % and ^ symbol get the hardest to reach keys, but they are hardly used in writing or programming, so great
You can download this layout, including printable images and the source file (allowing for your own tweaks) as a zip file. Enjoy!