Subj : Re: extreme programming (thoughts) To : comp.programming From : jen Date : Thu Jul 21 2005 04:45 pm Philip, No, I actually didn't imagine Matt could be doing more than 2-3 hrs pair programming at a time, which is what my experience was. I was part of some pair programming at my previous company where, unfortunately, I saw a lot of nervousness and incorrect decisions being made because of anxiety over 'how smart am I looking now'. One of the most surprising errors came from a programmer I was pairing with who had > 15 yrs experience and was excited about pairing. That's my experience at it, and I wasn't against XP at the time; I thought perhaps this experienced programmer could teach me something. But, it didn't happen, not in this manner. I personally cannot think through a difficult algorithm when I'm sitting next to someone else. I need a lot of time at one stretch to sit back and consider how the recursions need to go, or how the function needs to be created (which is why I think some programmers should have an office). Philip, how is it even possible to write difficult code while pairing? Seriously, how can you write a mathematical algorithm with another person sitting there, who may not know anywhere near as much as you, or vice versa? I just don't see it as a reality. I don't believe that any of the great authors, poets, composers, etc. could or would work in pairs. Are we not here to make quality code? Are we not here to create something beautiful? If you're just talking about hacking out some accounting program, then you can use XP or a hole in the ground if you want; but if you're actually talking about writing an application that is elegant in the code as well as being extremely complex algorithmically and large in design, then I don't see how XP can do it. .