RE: Practice: Pair Programming

Amir, 

I have a convex table that an XP-applying company had custom built in
Denmark. It separates me from my partner more than I am comfortable with. I
can work at it just fine, though. As a bonus, three people can comfortably
work around one monitor at this table, which comes in handy when clients
come to my office here.

Kent Beck
Three Rivers Institute

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Amir Kolsky [mailto:amir-2nvU7XFFJrPby3iVrkZq2A@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] 
> Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2004 3:46 PM
> To: xpbookdiscussiongroup-hHKSG33TihhbjbujkaE4pw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: [xpe2e] 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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