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A popular and very robust solution is to make active use of a version control system like Git. Commit your code frequently to a shared repository so each developer can pull the latest version and work on their own device when they switch roles. Using version control to handle swapping in pairs has the added advantage of creating a more detailed history of code changes for future logging and potential rollbacks. If the Git logs get too cluttered, it’s always possible to go back and squash those extra commits into a single, more meaningful one before doing a pull request.
Imagine a situation where a senior member has very good systems and domain knowledge but is not very well versed with latest technology. If these two individuals pair up they can complete the tasks much more faster compared to both of them doing it individually. In another situation two developers from different expertise can contribute to help each others expertise.
When working in a team, developers take turns playing two roles. Writing the code, another one is the navigator, reviewing the code and providing all necessary directions and information to the former. If the two programmers work together efficiently, it can significantly reduce the development time, improve code quality, and decrease human error. To that end, it’s vital that each programmer have the opportunity to sit at the keyboard and drive while the other observes and navigates through the code.
Lets see why I tend to lean heavily in favor of pair programming. Your partner can more easily spot your own misconceptions and biases, helping you get https://www.globalcloudteam.com/ back on track more quickly. Stackify’s APM tools are used by thousands of .NET, Java, PHP, Node.js, Python, & Ruby developers all over the world.
As the Agile Alliance points out, another benefit of pair programming is that it leads to better diffusion of knowledge across the development team. There are several reasons that some agile development organizations choose to implement the pair programming approach. In my previous project one of my colleague had suggested that any live issues or production bugs needs to be worked by a pair. If for whatever reason you were unable to do pair programming while developing a functionality, at least while fixing a production issue you can have more than one person trying to address it. The good news is that you can take measures to break up the intensity of pair programming.
Instead, make it a consistent part of a schedule that includes time to work alone. It’s important for both partners to be open-minded and give the other person a chance to write code, make mistakes, and correct themselves. For example, if the driver makes an error, give them several seconds pair programming definition to correct it before pointing it out. Tasks often done by only one person tend to be simpler than those assigned to two people. For these complicated tasks assigned to a pair, an approach should be created and agreed upon. It’s easy for your mind to wander when you’re working on your own.
Despite all of these benefits, pair programming comes with its downsides. On the other hand, many teams report that this initial overhead reduces future costly maintenance to fix errors. Sit in front of the same monitor and share the keyboard and mouse back and forth.
It’s a fair assumption that, no matter what you’re working on, the person you’re working with has a different background, experience, and comfort with the topic. Recognizing that up front is important, so neither of you will feel the need to try to hide that fact. Usually, you pair program in the office, at your desk, or at your colleague’s desk. You can take your laptop(s) and pair in a meeting room on a big screen, or on a terrace when the weather’s nice.
It also helps to increase the speed and efficiency of the onboarding process. New developers can more easily find their place within the team and familiarize themselves with the coding environment, with the help of their coworkers. Duckly is a tool that helps you to have more productive pair programming sessions. You can share your code from any IDE and your colleagues can collaborate with you in real-time from their own IDE.
I came across pair programming as a term way back in 2002 or 2003 when I had attended a BDotNet user group meeting. But it was not until late 2007 and early 2008 that I actually experienced it personally. While I was working with my previous employer, after joining they had sent me to UK to understand the Agile practices and to get familiarize with the team. I got to work closely with my counterparts in UK and learn new tools and technology while pairing up with them. Ever since then I have been a big time follower of pair programming. In pair programming, the developers interchange between two roles.
This approach is known as behavior-driven development, and while it’s not part of the definition of pair programming, it harmonizes beautifully, along with test-driven development. Programming is not about churning out the most lines of code in the shortest amount of time, or even delivering the most features within increasingly tight deadlines. Typically, we pair program naturally when we are stuck and ask for a colleague’s help. It’s a matter of context and where it helps you get better results.
While there are several benefits to pair programming, this approach to software coding also has several potential downsides. If you are not already doing it, it’s worth trying to do pair programming with your team. If it’s your first time, also be sure to check the guide about starting to pair programming. This will make your work more enjoyable, encourage team communication, and of course, make your code better.
On the surface it sounds simple, but two developers sitting together are not all that it takes to achieve productive pairing. And if you are looking for pair programming interview software, check out our CodePair feature. The connection currently does not include encryption, so if this is a deal breaker for you, consider another pair programming software. Shy people, introverts, and coders who prefer to work quietly might all find pair programming slows them down or undermines their work quality. Putting two programmers on every coding task will increase the overall costs of that development work.
