Marta García Granero: Word, Acrobat and PowerPoint, mainly.

King Douglas: What makes a problem difficult?

Marta García Granero: Not being able to see how to start. Once I see the light, it may take more or less time, but it will usually be solved. This may sound too proud, but if you know a lot about SPSS syntax, no problem is complicated. The problem is that you lack knowledge.

King Douglas: Many problems can be solved in a variety of ways. Do you value parsimonious code and work to attain it? Or is parsimony irrelevant given that a computer is going to do the work?

Marta García Granero: I happen to be a perfectionist. I’m always polishing my code. I always struggle between parsimony and readability.

Short and compact code can be difficult to understand to other people. I use compact code for my work, but tend to give longer code to other people—especially if they want to understand how it works. I have sometimes checked the difference in speed between compact and long code, and found that it was really small, to my surprise. Perhaps it’s the teacher in me, but I like to write clearer code even if it is longer or less parsimonious.

King Douglas: Speaking of parsimonious SPSS code, have you ever seen a solution to a problem that you thought was particularly elegant, poetic or beautiful?

Marta García Granero: I've always found that Raynald's code for disaggregating crosstab data was absolutely elegant in its simplicity. The core is formed by just 3 lines (from LOOP to END LOOP). Incredible!

King Douglas: Describe the way in which you attack a difficult problem. Do you work with pencil and paper first? stare at the wall or ceiling? work directly in the syntax editor?

Marta García Granero: I look for inspiration. I devote time to thinking before starting to work immediately. I develop a plan. I may use pencil and paper in the first place, while trying to organize my ideas. I even use pseudo code. It may help to stare at the ceiling and try to remember pieces of code I have stored. Then I may open a blank syntax editor, go to the fridge and get a glass of milk or, sometimes, green tea with a bit of mint, a slice of lemon and a spoon of orange-flower honey. Sometimes I get an idea while opening the fridge and rush back to the computer.

I must confess that sometimes I keep on thinking of syntax code in bed, or driving, or even while I'm washing my hair. I had a brilliant idea once and I had to resist the temptation of leaving the bathroom with shampoo on my hair to go to the computer.

King Douglas: Do you like to have quiet while problem solving, or do you prefer to listen to music or something else other than silence?

Marta García Granero: If I’m doing deep thinking, I’d rather have silence. But I like to listen to instrumental music—no words. I can’t have words…people talking to me…if I’m trying to concentrate. I have a problem with voices. Low-level music is okay—not rock and roll.

King Douglas: At what hour of the day do you do your best work?

Marta García Granero: Well, it’s a pity…I’m most inspired when I’m almost out of time.

King Douglas: Let me state that another way. At what time of day do you prefer to tackle difficult programming challenges?

Marta García Granero: Any time of the day. Any time of the day is a good moment for a programming challenge. I like challenge.