The Real Benefit of Pair Programming
As Obie points out, an additional benefit of pairing, although not often mentioned, is the fact that if forces developers to actually do some work! In the age of continuous distraction, how many hours do you spend actually writing code vs. gawking at YouTube etc.
“Most developers that I’ve met (except at TW) hate pair programming and I chalk it up to human nature. Truth is, pair programming is one of the only effective ways that a lot of us have ever witnessed keeping average developers from pissing away 95% of their productivity engaging in non-work such as reading and writing blogs, instant messaging, personal email, shopping online and otherwise wasting time on bullshit. When you’re pairing, you simply HAVE to work all day. Yes, it’s exhausting, but incredibly effective. As my friend and former boss just mentioned to me a sec ago…”
I have a feeling that, in light of this insight, most arguments around pairing being wasteful of resources fall flat.
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