Pair Programming Guidelines

In This Document

• In This Document
• Pair Programming Philosophy
• When to Use Pair Programming
• Pair Programming Formats
  • Driver-Navigator Format
  • Ping-Pong Format
  • Strong-Style Format
• Remote Pair Programming
• Scheduling Pair Sessions
• Pairing Etiquette
• Measuring Effectiveness
• Integration with Other Practices
• Tools and Resources

Pair Programming Philosophy

Pair programming is a core practice in our development process that helps spread knowledge, improve code quality, and build team cohesion. Our approach to pair programming follows these principles:

1. Knowledge Sharing: Pairing accelerates knowledge transfer across the team
2. Code Quality: Two sets of eyes catch more issues than one
3. Collaboration: Pairing builds stronger working relationships
4. Learning: Junior and senior developers both benefit from different perspectives

When to Use Pair Programming

We recommend pair programming in these scenarios:

• Complex features requiring deep domain knowledge
• Onboarding new team members
• Debugging difficult issues
• Knowledge transfer for critical systems
• High-risk code changes

Pair Programming Formats

Driver-Navigator

Driver-Navigator Format

• Driver: Controls the keyboard and implements the code
• Navigator: Reviews code, suggests improvements, and thinks strategically
• Rotation: Switch roles every 30 minutes to maintain engagement

This format works well for knowledge transfer and mentoring.

Ping-Pong

Ping-Pong Format

• Developer A: Writes a failing test
• Developer B: Makes the test pass
• Developer A: Refactors the code
• Repeat: Continue alternating roles

This format works well for test-driven development (TDD) sessions.

Strong-Style

Strong-Style Format

• Based on the principle: "For an idea to go from your head to the computer, it must go through someone else's hands"
• Navigator: Has the idea and explains it to the driver
• Driver: Implements the navigator's idea, asking questions for clarification

This format works well when there's a significant skill or knowledge gap.

Remote Pair Programming

For remote pair programming sessions:

• Use screen sharing with audio communication
• Consider collaborative coding tools (VS Code Live Share, JetBrains Code With Me)
• Take more frequent breaks (10 minutes every hour)
• Document decisions in real-time
• Use a shared task list to track progress

Scheduling Pair Sessions

• Schedule pair programming sessions in advance
• Aim for 2-4 hour sessions (with breaks)
• Block calendar time to minimize interruptions
• Set clear goals for the pairing session
• Allocate time for reflection at the end

Pairing Etiquette

• Be respectful of different coding styles and approaches
• Communicate clearly and constructively
• Ask questions rather than making demands
• Take breaks when needed
• Be present and engaged during the session

Measuring Effectiveness

We evaluate the effectiveness of our pair programming through:

• Code quality metrics
• Knowledge distribution across the team
• Team member satisfaction
• Reduction in bugs and technical debt
• Onboarding speed for new team members

Integration with Other Practices

Pair programming complements our other team practices:

• Code Reviews: Pairing can reduce formal review time
• Knowledge Management: Document insights from pairing sessions
• Testing Requirements: Pairs often produce more thoroughly tested code
• Communication Protocols: Follow standard communication guidelines during pairing

Tools and Resources

• VS Code Live Share extension
• JetBrains Code With Me
• Tuple (for macOS users)
• Screen sharing via Google Meet
• Shared documentation via Confluence