Pair Programming
What is pair programming?
Pair programming is a collaborative coding practice where two people work together on the same computer, talking through strategic decisions about how to approach and implement code. Rather than working in isolation, developers sit together and discuss what's the best way to accomplish a task, thinking through problems out loud as they code.
What makes pair programming valuable?
The value of pair programming comes from the strategic back-and-forth discussion between collaborators. When developers talk through their approach together, they can:
- Surface different perspectives on how to solve a problem
- Catch potential issues before they become bugs
- Share knowledge and learn from each other in real-time
- Think out loud (sometimes called "rubber ducking") to work through complex logic
- Make better strategic decisions about implementation approaches
This collaborative approach often leads to better code quality and more thoughtful solutions than working alone.
How does pair programming relate to working with AI?
The concept of pair programming is increasingly being applied to working with AI tools. Product teams are treating AI as a strategic thought partner—similar to how developers collaborate during traditional pair programming sessions.
When working with AI coding tools, teams engage in the same kind of strategic back-and-forth discussion about what's the best way to accomplish something, using the AI as a collaborator to think through problems and explore different approaches. This makes AI less of a passive code generator and more of an active thought partner in the problem-solving process.
Learn more:
- AI as a Strategic Thought Partner with UX Implications - All Things Product Podcast with Teresa Torres & Petra Wille
- Product in Practice: Getting Started with Several APIs (And the Challenges I Faced)
- Q&A Session: Building AI Evals for the Interview Coach
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