To improve efficiency or increase costs, how should developers understand pair programming?

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What is pair programming

Pair programming （Pair programming） From extreme programming XP (eXtreme Programming), Is one of its best practices . seeing the name of a thing one thinks of its function , Pair programming is two programmers sitting together , Use a development machine for pair development .

Attention should be paid to , At home “ Old brings new ”,“ Master and apprentice ” The pairing method of is not strictly pairing programming . because “ Old brings new ” Senior programmers have more say in pairing , Therefore, losing the meaning of closure to itself , Therefore, this form of pairing can only be regarded as a form of training new people .

The practical form of pair programming

When using pair programming practice , Different teams have different ways ：

Clear division of labor ：

• One person is responsible for writing code , Another person reviews the code , Responsible for the correctness and readability of the code ;
• One person is responsible for the detailed design , One person is responsible for code implementation ;
• One person writes the function code , One person writes test cases .

Cooperative type ： Two people discuss the architecture design of the developed functions 、 coded 、 Test methods, etc , Then take turns doing input and observation . This mode achieves information sharing very well , Get complementary effects .

How pair programming can improve work efficiency

Pair programming is through two developers working side by side on the same project or task , Take turns writing code and checking partner output to improve productivity , The following will explain in detail the specific ways of pair programming to improve work efficiency .

• Break the knowledge barrier , Learn programming skills from each other , And reduce product demand design defects ;

• Cooperate with each other , Enhance code and product delivery quality , Effectively reduce BUG, Thus reducing the workload of testers ;

• Push each other , Reduce “ loaf on a job ” Time , Effectively improve working hours ;

• Each other Backup, While ensuring the smooth progress of the project , Better handling of mobility .

The value of pair programming

1. From a project perspective , Improve the product quality

In general work programming , Due to personal thoughts, it is inevitable to be negligent , Omissions and limitations , It will produce “ See how the code you write is right ” Misunderstanding . And in pairing , Because two people work together to complete a product function , So both sides can see each other's mistakes from different angles , Thus avoiding personal subjective misunderstanding . On the other hand , In pair programming , Since the code has been reviewed by at least one programmer , So you can make the code design 、 Testing and coding are more friendly , Reduced defects , So as to improve the product quality .

The form of pair programming also ensures a function of the product , The code implementation structure can be known by at least two people , Two people can form each other Backup, There will be no such thing as a person asking for leave or leaving the company , The following projects cannot be promoted . Besides , Some teams change their pairing of programmers on a regular basis , This ensures that each member of the team is familiar with each functional module of the project , So as to form an atmosphere of collective ownership of the project , And avoid “ One person responsibility system , saw wood ” The phenomenon of .

what's more , In the process of business requirements development , There will inevitably be defects . In the process of troubleshooting , Developers of pair programming do not need to make their own subjective investigation and judgment , Instead, you can overcome the defects through consultation with your own cooperative partners , In the end, this effect often doubles the output .

2. From a team perspective , It has better promoted the team cooperation atmosphere and knowledge transfer and sharing

From a team perspective , Compared with the traditional independent station “ fence ” How it works , On the one hand, pair programming can better realize knowledge transfer and sharing , On the other hand , Pair programming, a real-time communication method, also makes the team members' relationship more harmonious , Thus, it is more conducive to create a harmonious team atmosphere .

according to “ Johari Window （ Communication windows ）” The theory of , In practical work and interpersonal communication , The more common open areas , The more convenient it is to communicate , The less likely it is to misunderstand . When we expand our open quadrant to others , You will build more good relationships with each other , Pair programming is a good form of communication .

Four quadrants of communication window ：

• Open quadrant ： I know , Others know that ;

• Privacy quadrant ： I know , Others don't know ;

• Blind spot quadrant ： I don't know , Others know ;

• The potential quadrant ： I don't know , No one else knows .

The first area , Information that you know and others know is called public area information ; The second area , Information that you know others do not know is called privacy ; The third area , Information that you don't know others know is called blind zone information ; The fourth area , The information that you don't know and others don't know is called unknown area （ Potential area ） Information .

3. From a personal point of view , Improve personal ability and work efficiency

From a personal point of view , In pairing , Individuals will not only learn new knowledge and skills from pairing partners , It can also be influenced by the other party's work style and attitude . Some short-scale , Inch a director , Everyone has his own advantages and strengths , Worthy of learning and respect . When everyone in the team improves , In fact, it is the improvement of the ability of the whole team .

Work efficiency , Pair programming makes everyone more focused on their work , Some personal activities outside of work will not be carried out . Everyone has his own task to be responsible for , In a way , Pair programming allows two people to form a mutual supervision , A small team for common progress , For the completion of team tasks , Both will focus on their tasks , So as to greatly improve the efficiency of work output .

summary

Pair programming is actually a kind of team common values and culture formed in the process of pair running in . This process is long and subtle , In pair programming, there must be a process of divergence and unification , And many teams just stop practicing when they disagree , You can't see the benefits of pairing . therefore , Before starting pair programming , Managers should consider whether your team is really suitable for pair programming .

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