4 ms·

I had someone in an interview once "confess" that they did so much pair programming they had forgotten how to quickly do things on their own. It was said as if

by proc0 7y ago

I had someone in an interview once "confess" that they did so much pair programming they had forgotten how to quickly do things on their own. It was said as if it was one of the pro's of pair prog., but I saw it as a huge downside that this person was so dependent on others to complete their day to day tasks.

taeric 7y ago
I'm torn. I don't feel comfortable pair programming, but I think looking at an individual's speed is too narrow. Consider, you probably don't criticize this person's use of an IDE. Why is that different? Effectively, in places we are comfortable adding AI style assistance, odd that we shun just the I. To that end, we agree teams are typically needed. Shame we don't focus our measurements on the team. Feels a great way to kill a team is to measure it's individuals. :(
- wccrawford 7y ago
  If someone can't program without an IDE, there are plenty of free ones that they can download, and they're unlikely to ever be in a situation where they can't find an IDE but they can run and test their code. Being unable to program without a partner is a serious handicap and will happen many times in a year, especially if people are sick or on vacation.
  - taeric 7y ago
    This still feels over simplistic. If there isn't someone else in the office to pair with, the code isn't getting pushed anyway, as it will lack a review. I get that it is a flag. But a lot depends on degree. Sport metaphors are often a stretch, but if they are saying they need their team to play, that isn't super scary on its own. If they need their full team to practice, that changes. And if they need a specific team member or they refuse to play, that is terrible. And you simplify the IDE point heavily. Just picking up one is not going to get you productive right away. Might as well have that sick partner. :)

4 ms·

I had someone in an interview once "confess" that they did so much pair programming they had forgotten how to quickly do things on their own. It was said as if

by proc0 7y ago

taeric 7y ago
I'm torn. I don't feel comfortable pair programming, but I think looking at an individual's speed is too narrow. Consider, you probably don't criticize this person's use of an IDE. Why is that different? Effectively, in places we are comfortable adding AI style assistance, odd that we shun just the I. To that end, we agree teams are typically needed. Shame we don't focus our measurements on the team. Feels a great way to kill a team is to measure it's individuals. :(
- wccrawford 7y ago
  If someone can't program without an IDE, there are plenty of free ones that they can download, and they're unlikely to ever be in a situation where they can't find an IDE but they can run and test their code. Being unable to program without a partner is a serious handicap and will happen many times in a year, especially if people are sick or on vacation.
  - taeric 7y ago
    This still feels over simplistic. If there isn't someone else in the office to pair with, the code isn't getting pushed anyway, as it will lack a review. I get that it is a flag. But a lot depends on degree. Sport metaphors are often a stretch, but if they are saying they need their team to play, that isn't super scary on its own. If they need their full team to practice, that changes. And if they need a specific team member or they refuse to play, that is terrible. And you simplify the IDE point heavily. Just picking up one is not going to get you productive right away. Might as well have that sick partner. :)