We, programmers, are using a lot of spec characters. As we know the typewriter was created much earlier than "programming" wad appeared.

The problem
How do you enter spec characters on your keyboard? Likely, you use 2 little fingers (1-st for "Shift", 2-d for "character"), but considering where they are, I want to say: "This is so uncomfortable!!!".

Just look at these photos!!!!!

The whole load on the little fingers - on the weakest fingers (also Frequent using of Shift doesn't add convenience in entering a new brace).

The solution
In my solution, I swapped special characters and numbers (to enter a number, you must use shift). + Character's position was changed

Important! Some of key locations may not suit you, This is the only idea and you have an opportunity to make your own, more comfortable layout if you want.

The final heatmap

Also the layout will suit for people, who use HTML, XML, XAML, because you shouldn't use shift for enter "<" and ">"

XML heatmap

Download: here