- Driver
- Navigator
- What is something you need to keep in mind when pair programming?
Pair programming is a very common way to write code and solve software engineering problems. Pair programming generally produces higher-quality code, meaning fewer bugs and better readability.
"If you don’t like pairing, don’t pair. But be prepared for the folks who have developed the pairing skill to fly past you."
- "Uncle" Bob Martin
Which companies use pair programming?
Participants will be able to:
- Explain why pair programming is useful
- Show how to drive and navigate
- Demonstrate how to be a good pair partner
- Outline potential challenges
- What pair programming is
- Why pair programming is useful
- How to drive and how to navigate
- How to be a good pair partner
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Video walkthrough of slides: How to Pair Program
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Slides: How to Pair Program
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3 min Youtube Video:Pair Programming Basics
- "I could be doing this so much faster on my own." Sometimes, this is true. But a big drawback to coding on your own is that you're far less likely to catch bugs early on. And, since no one is checking your code, the readability of code you write alone may not be as good as the readability of code you write with someone else. So while you may be able to write code more quickly by yourself, the time it takes to work through bugs on your own usually negates this advantage.
- "Real programmers do not program in pairs." Some companies exclusively use pair programming (Pivotal Labs is one such example). Many companies use pair programming only at certain times or in certain situations. Some companies don't practice pair programming at all.
- "I don't know what's going on or what my pair is doing, so I'm just going to sit back and watch them." Pair programming is not pair programming when only one person is doing the work. Speak up and advocate for yourself. Ask questions and stay involved! If you need a break to reset your mind, ask for one.
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Video: Pair Programming: 7 Habits of Highly Effective Coders
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Keeping your personal notes and reminders online is a great technique to organize things and keep yourself sane. If you don't already have your own preferred way to do this, save your notes from group practice with one of these apps:
- What is pair programming?
- What are the benefits of pair programming?
- What does each person in a pair do while pair programming?
- What should you do if your partner's pace is very different?