Learn12 Key Benefits of Pair Programming for Development Teams

To most of us, programming is like an arcane art, full of strange languages and long, flickering lines of code. Yet programming is an essential part of a vibrant software market that’s projected to reach $704.1 billion in 2024. No programming, no software – it’s as simple as that.

When mistakes happen, it can lead to a frantic search through what can be as many as millions of lines of code to find and rectify the error. As C.S. Lewis once said, “Two heads are better than one, not because either is infallible, but because they are unlikely to go wrong in the same direction.” In programming, this can mean pair programming. Just what is pair programming and what are the benefits of pair programming?

What is pair programming? 

Pair programming is a tactic used by Agile DevOps teams where two programmers work together as part of software development teams on the same software project. What strengthens this collaboration is that they work together on the same workstation with one programmer being appointed the ‘driver’, while the other acts as a ‘navigator’. Although working on the same computer, the collaboration can be remote if required. 

While the driver does the actual writing of the code, the navigator role involves providing any guidance needed, reviewing the code being written and the coding process, and also thinking about the overall design of the project and giving any strategic advice needed. 

Ideally, the two programmers will have equal as well as different skill sets, though this is not a necessity. In some cases, a junior developer might work with  senior and more experienced developers to improve their skills and knowledge. 

The key to getting the most benefits of pair programming is communication. As with any collaboration in the workplace, without good communication, the exercise might fail. The two programmers need to discuss how they approach each task and identify any potential issues (or issues that have occurred) and work together to overcome and solve problems. 

How does pair programming work? 

What do you need to start pair programming? It’s simple: two programmers, one computer workstation, one keyboard, and a mouse. Some pairings may occur naturally and will need no decisions by managers. Others may be assigned when managers recognize that the skill levels complement each other. 

The main principle behind pair programming is the ‘four eyes principle’ (also known as the two-person rule). One person does the work and the other checks the work. Your navigator is not only checking the code being written – they can also provide direction when tasks are not linear. 

The partnership will look at their overall goal and then decide on a roadmap to get from the start to the completed project. In many cases, the driver will work through a task and their navigator will wait until that task is completed before offering their observations. You will also find that the partners will frequently swap roles, which can boost alertness as well as efficiency. 

What are the benefits of pair programming? 

If your DevOps teams have not previously used pair programming, you’ll to want to know what benefits moving to this tactic will bring. Let’s uncover a few of them. 

1. Better quality code and fewer errors

Let’s say you’re developing new teleconference software. If one programmer was working on it, you might expect anything up to 25 errors per 1000 lines of code. When you have pair programmers working on it, though, you will have fewer errors and higher-quality code. High-quality code is perhaps one of the best benefits of pair programming.  

2. Sharing knowledge 

As with other types of collaborative working, pair programming can mean that knowledge, technical skills, and experience will be shared. This can be a great opportunity for junior developers to learn from a colleague with higher experience levels. That learning path can also work the other way as junior developers will often have innovative insights or knowledge of new processes and learning styles that the senior lacks. 

3. Fewer bugs 

Bugs can be the bane of DevOps teams everywhere. When you consider that a bug discovered early in the development process may cost as little as $100 to fix but as much as $10,000 later, you can see why the idea of fewer bugs is a huge benefit. Two sets of eyes and constant discussion can help identify edge cases, corner conditions, and test scenarios where bugs might occur, therefore allowing the team to solve the issue before it escalates. 

4. Continuous learning

With rapid advances in technology and linked processes, every developer needs to look at continuous learning to remain relevant. Organizations need their staff to learn new skills such as those associated with CMMS software. 

Additionally, becoming proficient with popular content management systems like WordPress or Drupal is equally important. The very nature of pair programming, where collaboration, interpersonal skills, and communication are cornerstones, means that there is a constant exchange of information and ideas. 

In addition to technical and process-oriented skills, understanding the latest security protocols, such as DMARC, is important. These protocols enhance email security by preventing email spoofing, which is vital for maintaining secure communication within teams and with external stakeholders. This awareness can help developers address potential vulnerabilities in software development and deployment.

5. Sounding boards

It’s not a case of if a problem will arise – it’s more a case of when it will arise. When awkward code does appear, it can be a real issue. Pair programming means that the two developers can bounce ideas off each other during a pair programming session to try and find a solution that works. By communicating thoughts and ideas, the pair can look at where they want the code to be and what they want it to do and find a way around any roadblock. 

6. Backup knowledge 

What happens if an important member of your DevOps team leaves or is unavailable for whatever reason? If you are utilizing pair programming, then you won’t be faced with lost knowledge or lengthy – and potentially costly – delays. The remaining member of the pair knows where the project was and what they were doing, thus making it easy to bring in another developer to make up the pair again. 

7. Improved team morale

When a programmer is working long hours alone, there’s a diminished sense of teamwork as the programmer is relatively isolated. The benefits of pair programming do not only include ones related to the development process but also to the people involved and increased camaraderie among team members. 

Being able to share ideas and have empathic discussions about problems can mean a positive work environment, increased job satisfaction, and more positive mental health which in turn means better productivity and effectiveness. 

8. Accelerated development 

It’s not a case of development being faster because two people are working on it, it’s more that fewer coding errors and bugs will reduce the total development time. This can be very advantageous for organizations who have implemented corporate performance management and that want processes expedited quickly and to stick closely to a planned release schedule. 

9. Better problem-solving skills

DevOps teams will face constant and often complex challenges, some of them old ones but some totally new. By developing a growth mindset, programmers will explore new ideas and ways of facing and solving any issues. Paired programmers will not only share the latest industry trends and developments, they will look at innovative ways of making progress. 

10. Higher productivity levels

With pair programming, your organization will experience faster development cycles and products that will be released with far fewer bugs (thus reducing the need for costly patches). This means you will experience higher productivity levels, fewer bottlenecks, and the process will be far more efficient due to the collaborative approach of the tactic. Pair programming will enhance both partners’ coding skills over time.

11. Quicker time to market 

Software development is not only a lucrative market – it’s also a very competitive one. Beating your competitor to market can have a significant effect on revenue and profitability. As pair programming speeds up the development cycle while reducing the need for code reviews and fixing bugs, it means you can get an advantage over your competitors.

12. Better decision making 

Due to the collaborative nature of pair programming combined with the need for high levels of communication skills, decision making is also improved. Where a solo programmer might spend significant time deciding what is the best next step, pairs can discuss the issue and come to a consensus as to how to move forward. 

As well as the other improvements, this improvement in decision making means that your DevOps team will be more invested in the overall project and will often put in that little bit of effort that can turn a good product into a great one. 

The takeaway 

Pair programming is a highly beneficial software development practice. Whereas individual developers working alone may encounter bottlenecks that may take time to overcome, pair programming can solve issues quickly through collaborative working. 

Among the other numerous advantages, there is also the opportunity for senior developers to learn new ideas as well as mentoring a junior pair programming partner. 

Implementation of pair programming is something that can benefit any organization involved in software development. While your labor costs may increase, the advantages of faster development cycles and increased productivity should offset that. Being able to beat any competitors to market is a goal of any DevOps team and pair programming can help achieve that.