Coding is hard. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying. It’s one of those frustrating activities where you spend more time debugging than you intend to do. Thankfully, there are ways to make the process a little bit less painful: by using pair programming in agile, for example. In this post, we’ll explore what is pair programming and how it can help beginner programmers write better code faster.
What Is Pair Programming And How Does It Work?
Pair programming is a software development process in which two programmers work together at one workstation. One, the driver, writes code while the other, the observer or navigator, reviews each line of code as it is typed in. This method is beneficial for those who don’t want to waste time waiting for someone else to review their code; they review their own code as they go!
Various Pair Programming Methods:
- Ping-pong method: Each programmer takes turns writing code. Programmer A types out some code and then hands the keyboard to programmer B who makes any necessary changes and passes it back. This continues until the task is completed.
- Big-bang method: Programmer A writes a chunk of code and then hands it to programmer B for review. Programmer B makes any changes needed, tests the code, and then hands it back to programmer A. This process is repeated until the task is completed.
Benefits Of Pair Programming With A More Experienced Programmer:
- Learn new techniques and programming languages from more experienced programmers: When you pair up with an experienced programmer, there’s a good chance they will know practices in the best backend programming language. You can learn these techniques and apply them to your own work when it comes time for revision.
- Learn to debug your code and find errors more quickly: Debugging code can be frustrating, especially when you don’t know where to start. Pair programming can help you become more familiar with the debugging process and how to fix errors quickly. With two pairs of eyes on your code, it’s likely that one of you will catch any errors that the other missed.
- Improve your team’s communication and collaboration skills: If you’re working on a team project, pairing up with another programmer can help improve your team’s communication and collaboration skills. By working together in person, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively and share ideas more easily. This can lead to a more cohesive team and better-quality code.
- Become a better problem solver: Pair programming can also help you become a better problem solver. By working with someone else, With their help, you’ll be able to come up with creative solutions for coding challenges.
- Get feedback on your work from someone who is not biased or invested in it: When you’re working on your own, it’s easy to become biased toward your work. You may not be able to see the flaws in your code or the ways that it could be improved. Pair programming can help you get feedback from someone who is not biased or invested in your project and can give you an honest assessment of your work.
Tips For Beginners On How To Be Successful At Pair Programming:
- Know your partner’s strengths and weaknesses: When you’re pairing up with someone else, it’s important to know their strengths and weaknesses. You don’t want your partner constantly correcting your work or constantly needing your help. Instead, you want to create a balance where both people are able to contribute their strengths and learn from each other’s weaknesses.
- Come with a plan: If you’re new to pair programming, it’s helpful to come into your pairing session with a plan. This could involve having a specific goal in mind or working on a particular section of code that you’re struggling with. By having a plan, you’ll be able to make the most of your time with your partner.
- Be prepared to learn: Pair programming is a great way for beginners to learn new techniques and top programming languages, but it can also be a great way for experts to learn as well. It’s important that you’re open to learning from your partner and that you’re not expecting them to do all of the work. If you approach Pair programming in agile with an open mind, both people will be able to learn and grow from the experience.
- Don’t assume you’re paired with an expert: Just because someone is more experienced than you doesn’t mean that they know everything. Make sure to ask questions when you’re working with a more experienced programmer and make sure to contribute your own ideas as well. Avoid the temptation of doing all of the listenings and let your partner know that you’re there to learn as well.
How To Find A Pair Programming Partner Online Or In-Person?
You can find a partner for pair programming online or in person by following these ways:
- If you’re looking to work with someone remotely, there are many websites like Reddit or Stack Overflow that can help you find a coding buddy.
- Talk to your colleagues or attend meetups and events to find someone who is interested in pairing up.
- Search for online forums or platforms that match up programmers with others looking for a pairing session.
- Ask your friends or coworkers if they know any other developers who are interested in pair programming.
Some Pitfalls That Beginners Should Avoid When Learning This Skill:
- Pair programming is not a one-size-fits-all solution: Not everyone works best in a pair programming environment. If you feel like you’re not getting the most out of your pairing sessions, it may be time to try a different approach.
- You need to have a good grasp on the basics of coding before you can pair programs: It’s important that you know the basics of coding before you start pairing up with someone else. You don’t want to spend your time explaining basic concepts to your partner. Instead, focus on learning the basics so you can be productive in a pair programming session.
- Don’t take criticism personally – it’s an opportunity for improvement: If your partner is pointing out flaws in your code, it’s important to take this feedback constructively. This is a great opportunity for you to learn and grow as a developer. Don’t take it personally if your partner is critical of your work – it’s all part of the learning process!
- Be aware that there are some limitations when using this method of development: Pair programming in software engineering is not always the best solution for every problem. If you’re working on a particularly complex issue, it may be better to break it up into two separate sessions. You don’t want to get bogged down by trying to solve a problem in pair programming in an agile session.
Conclusion
Pair programming is a great way to improve your skills as a programmer and become more productive. It’s also a good chance for you to learn new techniques or languages from someone who has been doing it longer than you have.
However, you should also know that it’s not the last method to upgrade your programming skills. But the only thing that matters is that you approach pair programming with a positive mindset and learn whatever you can learn.
