Pair programming is a simple, straightforward concept. Two programmers work side-by-side at one computer, continuously collaborating on the same design, algorithm, code, and test. It allows two people to produce a higher quality of code than that produced by the summation of their solitary efforts. However, nothing is simple where people and personalities are involved--especially people who are accustomed to working alone. The leap to pair programming for a variety of software development projects is one that yields many benefits. However, it is also one that requires careful thought and planning.
Written as instruction for team members and leaders new to pair programming and as an improvement guide for experienced pair programmers, Pair Programming Illuminated explains both the principles underlying this method and its best practices. The authors, drawing on their own extensive experience, explain what works and what does not, what should be emphasized and what should be avoided. Two case studies further illuminate pair programming in practice: one in the context of extreme programming (XP), with which it often is associated, and one linked to a more disciplined software engineering process.
Key topics include:
Principles for selecting partners
Practical advice, such as furniture set-up, pair rotation, and weeding out bad pairs
Seven habits of effective pair programmers
Special appendices include:
A pair programming tutorial
An economic analysis of pair programming
An introduction to test-driven development
With this book in hand, you will quickly discover how pair programming fits the needs of your own organization or project. You then will see exactly how to get started with this method, and how to do it right.
SECTION ONE: GAINING UNDERSTANDING.
1. Introduction.
2. The Seven Myths of Pair-Programming.
3. The Seven Synergistic Behaviors of Pair Programming.
4. Bubbling to the Top: Strategies for Overcoming Management Resistance to Pair Programming.
5. When It's Your Idea: How to Gain the Support for and Acceptance from Your Peers.
6. Transitioning to Pair Programming by Choice.
7. Problems, Problems.
SECTION TWO: GETTING STARTED.
8. Facilities, Workplace Layout.
9. Pair Rotation, Knowledge Management and Training.
10. Other Issues to Consider.
11. Tips 'n Tricks.
SECTION THREE: PAIR PROGRAMMING PARTNER PICKING PRINCIPLES.
12. Expert-Expert Pairing.
13. Expert-Average Pairing.
14. Expert-Novice Pairing.
15. Novice-Novice Pairing.
16. Extrovert-Extrovert Pairing.
17. Extrovert-Introvert Pairing.
18. Introvert-Introvert Pairing.
19. Gender Non-Issue.
20. Culture Non-Issue.
21. The Professional Driver Problem.
22. 'My Partner is a Total Loser' and The Excess Ego Problem.
23. 'My Partner is SO Smart' and The Too Little Ego Problem.
SECTION FOUR: CASE STUDIES OF PAIR PROGRAMMING IN A SOFTWARE METHODOLOGY.
24. Extreme Programming (XP).
25. Colla
