Code with me (and never be lonely again)

Pair programming is a popular practice introduced many years ago via the agile methodology known as Extreme Programming (XP). While not as well known as Scrum or Kanban, XP has many of the same practices and goals, but with pair programming as a mandatory component. In XP, two programmers sit in front of one computer and write code together. One person types while the other watches, coaches, looks things up, and generally contributes by helping out. At fixed intervals the programmers trade places. Adherents to the practice swear by it, claiming it eliminates the need for code reviews and generally leads to better code. Detractors, which include every non-technical manager alive, say it doesn’t make sense to have two expensive, specialized workers doing half as much work as they should.

Love it or hate it, you have to admit there is a great deal of utility in direct collaboration. The real issue is in a post-Covid world where a great...