Most people consider software programmers as geniuses from a far off planet who do nothing other than programming. Is this really true? Not exactly! Programmers are thorough professionals like many amongst us.
If you are looking forward to be a developer, pair programming may prove to be your ultimate savior especially to help you learn to code faster and equipping you with all skills and tools to face the real software development world. After all, it is all about having a lot of fun while in the process.
Now the question is how these professionals (software developers) actually work?
Well, the team of professional developers simply shut themselves off from the world (in some cases). Even if they connect themselves to the world, they are seen solving complex issues.
So what does this signifies for developers learning the trade? It actually means that learning to code usually starts off as a deadly ‘LoneWolf’ game (very intense). You would expect it to grow into a full-fledged software development team.
Apart from coding content, it is crucial that you develop collaboration and team-working abilities. These are crucial for helping you to thrive within a software development team. Another good way to learn coding is to get external support from others.
Benefits of Pair Programming
- An Amazing Way to Learn from Another Coder
Coding is a challenge. The struggle is real and solving it together can be a new learning experience. You will fail, laugh, cry, and ultimately learn the art. The idea is to learn from process and knowledge of another programmer. It will also provide you with an opportunity to get feedback on your own coding procedure.
- Offers Excellent Environment to Practice Team Skills for Software Development
Software is undoubtedly a team sport. Pairing helps you to take your coding practice out of your own head. This is a great way to build the soft team skills crucial for working in a bigger team handling software development.
The process of coding interviews usually involves having a chat with your interviewer. This is usually undertaken through the coder’s thought process while he/she codes or pseudo-codes. Pairing practice helps articulating coding thoughts in a crystal clear way and gives oneself the best chance for pair-style interviews.
- Greater Benefits for Novice Developers
Yes, new coders will benefit a lot from pair programming. As per results of a research by Laurie Williams, the process of pair coding works best under the following circumstances:
– When the pair takes up complicated tasks
– The individuals are at same programming knowledge levels
Getting Started with Pair Programming
You need to start by finding your pair. This needs to be a person of a similar skill set and level such as a web designer & developer or seasonal programmer. This individual could be your friend, an acquaintance, student, or anyone learning to code. The ideal situation is that of pairing in-person. However, remote pairing is also great way to get started. You may use screen-sharing software like Mikogo or Skype. When it comes to workplace, pairing is normally conducted between different levels of developers; mainly senior and junior. This is to help junior developers learn a lot of things from seniors. If you are looking for professional programmers so visit: smanikdesign.com
In case, you don’t have anyone to pair with, build a developer community. This will help you know other developers, get to know what they know, their skills, industry secrets, coding secrets, and much more. Developing ideas together will be fun. Joining communities will give you opportunities to meet other developers (some with advanced skills).
Joining a coding community online is one of the best ways to meet new people and learn coding. Another good way is to attend various coding community events. You can attend some of the events run by bootcamp.
As soon as you find a pair, it is time to try out varied pair programming techniques. The idea is to know what you actually like doing.
Some of the best examples of pair programming techniques include:
– Pomodoro Pairing
– Ping-pong Pairing
– Pair programming techniques
– Remote pair programming
– To end: balancing the view on pair programming
