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What is pair programming?

Pair Programming

Blog post series

This blog post is part of a series about pair programming games. To read about more please click see more sessions on pair programming games.

About

Pair programming is a technique in which two programmers work together to solve a task. They work on one computer, ideally each having their own keyboard in front of them.
There are two roles: driver and navigator.

The driver writes the code and takes the short time decisions. The driver should trust the navigator totally for the long term decisions.

The navigator reads the code of the driver and gives meaningful suggestions on how the code could be better. Also the navigator focuses on the long term decisions and thinks the strategic direction the code moves to.

Both the driver and the navigator need to verbalize their actions and concerns and to speak on the code.

cat-pair-programming

Ping Pong Pair Programming

Pair-programming game: ping-pong

Ping Pong Pair Programming

Blog post series

This blog post is part of a series about pair-programming games. To read about more please click see more sessions on pair-programming games.

Purposes

  • Learn pair-programming easier
  • Force the “know-it-all” programmer to see other ways of writing code
  • Force the “know-it-all” programmer to collaborate more
  • Push for collective code ownership

Concept

The roles driver and navigator change often inside the pair.
This activity is like a game of ping-pong of the roles between the two members of the pair. They both can take short time decisions while being a driver and can spot strategic design decisions while being a navigator.
Refactoring can be made by any of the programmers on their turn, but only when the code and the tests are stable.

ping-pong