How do you keep track of your programming TODOs? [closed]

Answer 1

Personal Abstract Todos

I use Tomboy Notes or paper to make a quick list of abstract high level tasks. Often when I'm on the phone with my manager, I just need to get things written down.

Source Code Specfic Todos

I use the inline TODO: / @todo comment marker in my code and then use the Netbeans plugins that give me a running list of todos throughout the project. Since Netbeans can aggregate todo markers from multiple projects, it does not make a difference how many different projects I'm running.

Multiperson Tasks / Todos

Once I have to keep track of todos for more than myself, I move to project management software like OpenProj, MS Project, etc. Also, if the todos involve bugs or feature requests, I use our bugtracker. Other todos, can be manged by a helpdesk system as well.

Answer 2

doxygen can track such issues

Answer 3

There is also Task Scanner Plugin for Hudson (in case it fits in your environment). With that you can track number of TODOs/FIXMEs on your continuous integration build reports.

Answer 4

I can't speak for other IDE's, but Eclipse will search your project's source files for TODO comments (as well as FIXME and XXX by default) and create tasks for you in the tasks view.

This leads to intriguing situations where you check the tasks view, double-click on a TODO task, and read the comment:

// TODO: Add this functionality.

Eclipse will also add TODO comments when generating certain code blocks, like method implementations, catch blocks for exceptions, etc.

Answer 5

I use Pen and Paper to jot down notes. I also use TODO/FIXME tags in code that gets highlighted yellow in Vim and tracked by the TODO extension in Komodo.

One of the most useful additions for me has been using Samurize to embed a plain text file onto my desktop (http://lifehacker.com/software/plain-text/geek-to-live--incorporate-text-files-onto-your-desktop-213280.php). I have 3 virtual desktops and it lives on my email desktop which is where I wind up first thing every morning. It contains a text file with the items that I need to do and it rarely runs more than a week ahead.

Wednesday 2/11/2009
- Item 1
- Item 2
Thursday 2/12/2009
- Item 3

I use Executor that has a keyword "todo" that automatically opens gvim with this file when I want to edit/add/remove items. This makes it about 3 keystrokes to get it open and ready to modify. It helps me remember the Monday morning production moves before I get buried in email and meetings. As soon as I edit, it's reflected on the desktop.

Obviously for longer and more detailed things, I rely on Roundup, Outlook reminders, etc. but this has been a handy way to jot things down so they won't get lost in the shuffle.

Answer 6

When programming Java in Eclipse, I find it really useful to, as you say "pepper my source code with // TODO: comments - mainly because Eclipse looks up each one in the project and compiles a task list for me =) In Visual Studio, there is a Task List panel, which I use sometimes, but I don't find it as streamlined as just having the comments in Eclipse.