Pair Programming

This blog entry will discuss this week's reading, a topic which I consider an interesting practice for our major, Pair Programming. We should start by defining what is Pair Programming, this is a practice in which two programmers work side-by-side at one computer, collaborating on the same design, algorithm, code or test. This practice helps to improve productivity and the quality of software products.  It also helps programmers to create confidence in their solutions. 

Many programmers refuse to start practicing pair programming, but in many cases, it is very used, a clear example is Extreme Programming. In Extreme Programming (an emerging software development methodology) all the code is written in pairs. For many methodologies, it is required gathering, resource allocation, and design practices. When there is no formal design or planned architecture in a project, the pair determines which code needs to be added or modified. 

It is important for Pair Programming to use collective code ownership whereby any programming pairs can modify or add to any code in the code base, no matter who the original programmer is. In Extreme Programming, the success has made through the use of pair programming by all programmers, also the prototypes are done with a partner. Two programmers working together are more than twice as fast and think of more than twice as many solutions to a problem as two working alone. 

I think that as a programmer you should learn to program in a single or in pairs, they are both important but it is more important to learn to pair programming because a pair works and shares ideas together for software development. The transition to pair programming might be a little rude, but you should start by understanding the benefits of intercommunication, then you must share the work. Finally, pair programmers must accept the ownership of their work. It might be difficult, but there will be awesome results at the end. 

References: 

Williams, L., & Kessler, R. (2000, May). All I Really Need to Know about Pair Programming I Learned In Kindergarten. Retrieved from http://34.212.143.74/s201911/tc2006/pair_programming_kindergarten.pdf