Working with Junior Programmers

Less-experienced programmers are just a special case of experts – they're experts-in-training. The above rules about dealing with experts apply, so let them know what needs doing, make sure you did that clearly, and let them get on with it.

The clarification aspect is the part that needs the most examination. Remembering Chapter 10, Learning, you'll find that different people learn in different ways. Some approach a new problem via experimentation, some by reading about concepts. Diagrams help a lot of learners. In my experience working as the senior developer on a team, it's important not to accidentally invert the expert-customer relationship, because then you get back into a micromanagement situation. Let the junior ask questions; indeed, encourage them to ask questions, but act as an oracle and not as a lecturer.

Having made yourself available while they're working, have a little retrospective when they've done the task. Try...