RE: Practice: Pair Programming

This discussion sorta gets me thinking that although I have always
stipulated that the two important factors in PP are the chairs and monitors,
perhaps some attention should be given to the tables. 

Indeed a convex table (i.e., one with a bulge on either side of which sit
the programmers) seems like the ideal table.

1. The programmers have more personal space.
2. The programmers are both at the same (reflexive) angle to the screen(s).
3. The programmers face each other and have an area between them that is not
cramped by the presence of the monitor.
4. This extra space means that it is easier to have the kbd and mouse
shuttled back and forth.
5. A driving instructor configuration is also easier because of the extra
space (two keyboards, mice).
6. A third person can easily join sitting at the apex of the bulge...
7. It gives me a chance to write six meaningful bullet items.

Any more ideas? 

 Amir Kolsky
XP& Software
 

>-----Original Message-----
>From: Rachel Davies 
>[mailto:rachel.davies-IWqWACnzNjwqdlJmJB21zg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] 
>Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2004 1:33 AM
>To: xpbookdiscussiongroup-hHKSG33TihhbjbujkaE4pw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Re: [xpe2e] Practice: Pair Programming
>
>
>I must admit I am surprised that the issue of sexual feelings 
>has been raised in this way - if your workspace is setup 
>properly you really should not forced into inappropriate 
>physical contact when pairing. 
>Perhaps in Fig 5 the man moved too close because the workspace 
>is not well set up for pair programming? The monitor is rather 
>small and those chairs don't look like the kind you would find 
>in a genuine work environment - they look like conference 
>chairs - is that Ward Cunningham with a name tag on in the background?
>Rachel
>On 8 Nov 2004, at 17:32, Kent Beck wrote:
>
>> Write all production programs with two people sitting at one 
>machine. 
>> Set up the machine so the partners can sit comfortably side-by-side. 
>> Move the keyboard and mouse back and forth so you are comfortable 
>> while you are typing. Pair programming is a dialog between 
>two people 
>> simultaneously programming (and analyzing and designing and testing) 
>> and trying to program better.
>>
>> Pair programmers:
>>   * Keep each other on task.
>>   * Brainstorm refinements to the system.
>>   * Clarify ideas.
>>   * Take initiative when their partner is stuck, thus lower 
>> frustration.
>>   * Hold each other accountable to the team?s practices.
>>
>> Pairing doesn?t mean that you can?t think alone. People need both 
>> companionship and privacy. If you need to work on an idea 
>alone, go do 
>> it. Then come back and check in with your team. You can even 
>prototype 
>> alone and still respect pairing. However, this is not an 
>excuse to act 
>> outside of the team. When you?re done exploring bring the resulting 
>> idea, not the code, back to the team. With a partner, you?ll 
>> reimplement it quickly. The results will be more widely understood, 
>> benefitting the project as a whole.
>>
>> Pair programming is tiring but satisfying. Most programmers 
>can?t take 
>> more than five or six hours of pairing in a day. After a week like 
>> that, they are ready for a relaxing weekend away from work. I keep a 
>> bottle of water beside me while I pair. It?s good for my health and 
>> I?m eventually reminded to take a break. The breaks keep me 
>fresh for 
>> the whole day.
>> Rotate pairs frequently. Some teams report good results obeying a 
>> timer that tells them to shift partners every 60 minutes (every 30 
>> minutes when solving difficult problems). I don?t think I?d 
>like this, 
>> but I haven?t tried it. I like to program with someone new every 
>> couple of hours, switching at natural breaks in development.
>>
>> Pairing and Personal Space
>>
>> An issue that has come up and requires comment is the close 
>contact in 
>> pair programming. Different individuals and cultures are comfortable 
>> with different amounts of body space. Pairing with an Italian is 
>> completely different than pairing with a Dane. If you aren?t 
>aware of 
>> the difference it can be acutely uncomfortable. Personal 
>space must be 
>> respected for both parties to work well.
>>
>> Personal hygiene and health are important issues when pairing. Cover 
>> your mouth when you cough. Don?t come to work when you are 
>sick. Avoid 
>> strong colognes that might affect your partner.
>>
>> Working effectively together feels good. It may be a new 
>experience in 
>> the workplace for some. When programmers aren?t emotionally mature 
>> enough to separate approval from arousal, working with a 
>person of the 
>> opposite gender can bring up sexual feelings that are not in 
>the best 
>> interest of the team. If these feelings arise when pairing, stop 
>> pairing with the person until you have taken responsibility for and 
>> dealt with your feelings. Even if the feelings are mutual, acting on 
>> them will hurt the team. If you want to have an intimate 
>relationship, 
>> one of you should leave the team so you can build a personal 
>> relationship in a personal setting without confusing the team?s 
>> communication with a sexual subtext. Ideally, emotions at 
>work will be 
>> about work.
>>
>> It is important to respect individual differences when pairing. In 
>> Figure 5 the man has moved closer to the woman than is 
>comfortable for 
>> her. Neither is making his or her best technical decisions at this 
>> point, although they may be completely unaware of the source 
>of their 
>> discomfort.
>>
>> <image.tiff>
>> Figure 5: Personal space and pairing
>>
>> If you are uncomfortable pairing with someone on the team, 
>talk about 
>> it with someone safe; a respected team member, a manager, or someone 
>> in human resources. If you aren?t comfortable, the team 
>isn?t doing as 
>> well as it could. And chances are others are uncomfortable too.
>>
>>
>>
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