Guide to Pair Programming

Pair Programming is an agile communication technique that involves two programmers working on the same task, at the same terminal. One, the 'driver', writes code while the other, the 'observer' or 'navigator', reviews each line of code as it is typed in. The two programmers switch roles frequently.

Importance: Pair Programming is important because it encourages teamwork and collaboration, helps catch mistakes early on, aids in knowledge sharing and improves the design quality.

How it works: The 'driver' writes code while the 'navigator' observes, reviews and provides immediate feedback. They then swap roles after a set interval. This ensures that both individuals have a good understanding of the project and enables continuous code review.

Answering Exam Questions: When answering questions about pair programming in an exam, remember to emphasize the benefits in terms of team collaboration, early bug detection and improved design quality.
Exam tip: It's also important to note that both programmers need to be fully engaged and take turns at driving and navigating for pair programming to truly be effective.