If You're Not Pair Programming You're Wasting Money - Llewellyn Falco on Productivity

This software development manager believes it is an utter waste of money to hire a programmer and not pair them with someone else.

Llewellyn Falco is an independent agile coach. He discovered strong-style pair programming and is creator of the open source testing tool ApprovalTests. He spends most of his time programming in Java and C# specializing in improving legacy code. Llewellyn is also co-founder of TeachingKidsProgramming.org.

Show notes at http://hellotechpros.com/llewellyn-falco-productivity/

• Kids aren't ready for "real" programming until they are ready to read, write and type
• It's a waste of money to hire a programmer and not pair them with another
• It's our differences that make us stronger
• When we work together with someone, we are in the zone together for longer periods of time
  • It is easier to focus and you aren't distracted as much
• When someone is "watching" us work, or working with us, we are more inclined to use best-practices
• We feed off the other person, we bring good things out of each other
• "I'll come back to this later" usually means "I don't want to do this"
• In code reviews, not much generally changes in the code
  • We get feedback occasionally but by and large the structure of the software stays the same
• Efficiency can't survive in a vaccuum, you can't be "efficient" with being efficient FOR something
• When you want to pair-program, sometimes it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission
• Paired work is more intensive - strive for 4-5 hours of paired work then take a break
• Trust is a critical issue - ask for trust from your partner

• ApprovalTests
• TeachingKidsProgramming.org
• The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand (Listen on Audible)