Programming Pairs

[swamp]

Done this loads. Biggest benefit is spreading knowledge of the system around the team and avoiding area experts. Most suitable for proper TDD, especially with ping-pong coding (write failing test, swap, fix test and write new failing test, repeat).

Unfortunately most situations aren't like this. In reality it's work, slack off, work, slack off...

[NotAllThere]

I don't mind the punters watching me code, so long as they keep quiet. I've done pair programming and it is very effective, but only if the "other half" is about as competent as you are. I find source code peer review less intrusive and about as effective though - and for that you don't need to pair people of similar ability.

[TimberWolf]

Why don't they save a seat and hire a schizophrenic?*


*Or whatever the term is for people with multiple personalities

[d000hg]

It's called Pair Programming and is fairly well known, if not widely used. Never done it myself and not sure I would want to.

[Mehmeh]

Very Xtreme Programming,

The BBC are big on this.

Have done it on part, but not full...Usually just to go through design or code reviews and it turns into pair programming.

Can be good... but also, can just turn into the guru coding lots, and the more juniors head spinning.

[bobhope]

It's one of those things that sounds good in theory, but rubbish for most of the time in practice.

I guess it would work if the two individuals were really compatible, maybe.

[VectraMan]

I guess it would work if the two individuals were really compatible, maybe.

There must be a very small subset of developers that could ever be effective working in pairs. I know I never could.

I imagine in 90% of cases, one does all the work, and the other sits there bored out of their mind.

[Zippy]

There must be a very small subset of developers that could ever be effective working in pairs. I know I never could.

I imagine in 90% of cases, one does all the work, and the other sits there bored out of their mind.

I've heard marriage described in a similar way

[slickcontractor]

Did you get to hold the gun when it was his turn to code?

[ThomasSoerensen]

I've heard my marriage described in a similar way

fixed that for you