Why pair programming sucks #softwaredeveloper

[cu]

My old team hired a new programmer who faked experience on her resume. The way she's surviving in company is by booking time on other people's calendar and almost asking them to tell her how to code. I'm not the lead of that team, but if it was my team, I would fire her

[hmmm....]

I was a junior and I'm glad that i had a senior to help me out initially via this method...

[JeremyStover]

Man, I love pair programming. It's miserable when it's basic, but super complex stuff is hard to build properly in a vacuum

[Sef_]

even worse, when you've been coding for hours, and the "senior" that is supposed to check the code with you later, decides to "refactor" 50% of it without even testing the changes he makes. Guess how the UAT with the client went.

[werni]

I would like to share my personal experience with pair programming, especially from the perspective of an introverted developer. For me, pair programming means above all: loss of productivity and extreme stress.

In theory, it may sound good to divide the tasks into 'driver' and 'navigator', but in practice, the more dominant part often takes the lead - and the other remains passive. This creates an imbalance that is neither productive nor motivating.

Another major problem is that you never get into a state of flow. The constant synchronization of thoughts prevents the kind of deep concentration that is often necessary for creative and complex software solutions. Pair programming is incredibly energy-sapping - especially for introverts like me. After a whole day, I'm so exhausted that I want to give up everything, even though I love my job as a software developer.

Pair programming can be useful for very specific problems. But for longer than an hour, I think it should be restricted under occupational health and safety law. I wonder if there have already been any studies on this - especially with regard to the psychological stress for introverts. If not, it would be high time!

For me, pair programming takes away everything I value about software development: Personal responsibility, calm, focus and the joy of creative work.

[Zondac]

Ehh, normally you’re pretty spot on but pair programming can be really useful in many cases! Of course when you’re burned out you’re burned out (pair programming is WAY more tiring, as you’re always actively thinking hard if it’s used correctly), but having a designated co-worker to go take a coffee or go for a walk with you when you need that break is another boon imho

[itay]

This is so accurate 😂😂😂
Really love your content!

[advertslaxxor]

Pair programming is hit/miss. In my experience, it sucks most of the time because you are not given the time to do it, but you need to anyway to get someone up to speed with something or to get the feel of a new hire.

[FOMO-ACD]

Istrue isbuttontrue? Like wtf? Whats the button doing?

[seluita]

I only starting coding but when I learned "pair programming" was a thing, this is EXACTLY what I imagined haha nightmare

[kipchickensout]

for us it's actually useful, having two people know what the code does and think about how to do something

[julius]

Idk, my experience with pair programming has been great so far. Of course only when both are at a similar level.

[fabiencrescent]

Feels like introvert extravert problem.

[Rcls]

Pair programming is OPTIONAL! If the other party feels like they can't do it, then don't fucking do it!

[paulwilliams]

Pair Programming sucks indeed... group code reviews work better... and honestly if something is "hot" don't give it to the junior programmer.

Failure is part of the learning experience in becoming a quality programmer... the great programmers learn from their mistakes.

[malcolmanderson]

That was not paired programming. That was something else, something ugly.

[mojolotz]

Honestly this is one of the worst parts of pair programming... deciding on names.

[arimill]

Looks to me like someone's driving and typing while someone else is bored watching, love the vids tho!

[hit]

It's similar to someone watch you play video game.