Supposedly listening to music while problem solving or coding results in similar productivity, but more errors.
On the other hand, http://pom.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/33/2/173.pdf claims that music listeners (with practice) produce similar quality results in similar real time, but 1) have less actual time working (the music does distract) and 2) feel better.
I often listen to (mostly classical) music while programming, but I'll pause it if I feel memory-impaired, or need to make an important decision.
On the other hand, http://pom.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/33/2/173.pdf claims that music listeners (with practice) produce similar quality results in similar real time, but 1) have less actual time working (the music does distract) and 2) feel better.
I often listen to (mostly classical) music while programming, but I'll pause it if I feel memory-impaired, or need to make an important decision.