Introduction

When I first heard about pair programming, I’ll admit, I was skeptical. The idea of two developers sharing a workstation—one coding, while the other observing and offering feedback—seemed like something that slows down the process. I couldn’t understand why clients would pay extra for it. However, after seeing many developers championing it, I decided to give it a try. In this blog, I’ll share my personal experience with pair programming, the benefits and challenges I faced, and why I believe it’s a practice worth exploring for any developer or team.

What is Pair Programming?

Pair programming is a collaborative approach where two developers work on the same code, side by side. Typically, one developer writes code, while the other reviews each line, providing suggestions and spotting potential issues. Together, they form a constant feedback loop, resulting in cleaner code and shared insights.

Benefits of Pair Programming

  1. Improved Communication
    One unexpected benefit of pair programming is how it strengthens communication. Working with another developer forced me to explain my decisions clearly, which made me realize how many “instinctual” choices I make without fully understanding them. We had to discuss, explain, and occasionally debate our approaches, which helped me make more thoughtful, reasoned decisions.

  2. Real-Time Learning and Feedback
    Pair programming is like a continuous code review. The other developer often pointed out things I missed or suggested a different approach I hadn’t thought of. This quick feedback loop was incredibly helpful because we caught small issues before they turned into bigger problems. I felt more confident in our final product, knowing we’d both brought our perspectives to the table.

  3. Better Code Quality
    Since both of us were responsible for every line of code, we maintained higher standards and adhered more closely to best practices. Knowing someone was watching made me more diligent and attentive, and I felt the quality of our code was notably higher than if I’d been working alone. Supporting this observation, this research paper The Case for Collaborative Programming highlights that pair programming not only reduces defect rates but also improves code reliability and maintainability.

The Challenges

  1. Clashing Perspectives
    Of course, working closely with another person isn’t always smooth. There were times when we didn’t agree on the best way to solve a problem. These disagreements could slow us down a bit, especially if one of us felt strongly about an approach. But we learned to compromise and discuss things openly, which helped us find the middle ground without getting frustrated.

  2. Reduced Freedom and Flexibility
    Pair programming also requires syncing schedules, which limits the flexibility to take breaks or adjust hours. Everyone has their own pace, so finding a rhythm that worked for both of us took time. Some days I wanted to power through, but my partner preferred to break more often, and vice versa. Navigating this required mutual understanding and empathy.

  3. A Potential Slowdown
    Pair programming does feel slower at times, especially for simpler tasks. While the quality improvement and bug reduction are worth it in the long run, I sometimes felt that working alone would have been quicker. I think this is the main drawback that companies or teams might need to consider carefully. It’s important to weigh the quality gains against the slower pace and see if it’s a worthwhile trade-off.

    But all of these challenges can be solved or eased out if the communication between the pair is stronger, which eventually gets better in practice.

Tips and Best Practices

If you’re considering pair programming, here are a few tips based on my experience:

  • Be open to feedback: Being watched can feel vulnerable at first, but remember that your partner is there to support, not judge. Embrace their insights!

  • Communicate clearly and often: Discussing your ideas, approaches, and challenges is essential. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or suggest alternatives.

  • Switch roles regularly: Alternate between driver and navigator roles regularly to stay fresh and keep the experience balanced.

  • Practice empathy: Working in pairs requires understanding and accommodating different paces, habits, and preferences.

Final Thoughts

Pair programming teaches not just about writing better code, it’s about learning, growing, and building stronger relationships with your colleagues. While it may not be suitable for every task or every team, I believe it’s a practice worth exploring, especially for those looking to improve their coding skills and communication abilities.

If you’re on the fence about trying pair programming, I’d encourage you to give it a shot.

References

Nosek, John. (1998). The Case for Collaborative Programming. Communications of the ACM. 41. 10.1145/272287.272333.