Resources

 

Pair Programming Guide

Working well with your group is very important for success in CS 162. One way to facilitate group work is by pair programming. Pair programming is a way to program collaboratively with a partner. It's a great approach that is used by many companies in the tech industry.

In pair programming, partners are working together at the same time. One partner is the "driver," who actually types the code. The other partner is the "navigator," who observes, asks questions, suggests solutions, and thinks about slightly longer-term strategies. We will continue to discuss pair programming in the canonical sense (with two people), but note that the idea can easily extend to a larger group of people, with one driver and multiple navigators.

It's very important for partners to switch roles throughout an assignment, either every 10-20 minutes or alternating on each subtask/problem.

Pairing in Person

This is the traditional approach to pair programming. Partners sit together at the same computer, ideally one with a large or double monitor. The driver controls the keyboard and mouse, while the navigator looks at the code and assignment description.

Pairing Remotely

Fortunately, it is also very possible to do pair programming online, thanks to the wide range of collaborative cloud applications. You'll need two things:

• A way to hear each other.
• A way to share code and the command line.

For both of these options, you can set up a Zoom call, Google Meet, or Discord call. For sharing code, you can alternatively follow these instructions for an editor of your choice:

• VSCode: You can code in VSCode while SSH'd into your VM using the instructions in Homework 0. Once in VSCode, you can pair program using the Live Share extension, which you can download here. Once you and your partner both have the extension installed, you'll need to start a new Live Share session and then explicitly share your code and terminal with each other. See the instructions on the download page for more details on sharing and joining sessions.
• Atom: You can use Atom on your local computer while SSD'd into the VM using the SMB server detailed in Homework 0. Atom provides the TeleType package for code collaboration. You can install it by opening up the Settings view, clicking on the Install tab, searching for teletype, and clicking "Install". You can also click this direct link to find the teletype package. Once installed, there will be a portal icon in the Atom status bar that looks like a wireless tower. One partner clicks that icon to create a portal and shares the link with the other partner. The partners can then begin collaborating together.

You'll generally want to both be using the same editor, so you'll either want to find a partner using the same editor or be willing to try a new editor. That can be a part of the learning experience, too!

Working with a Partner

We sometimes see feedback like:

My partner didn't do any work, or didn't do their share of the work, or didn't communicate or meet with me, etc. What can I do?

Or:

My partner did too much! They hogged the keyboard, or they did the whole assignment without waiting for me, or they didn't communicate with me, etc. I feel that I didn't get a real chance to help in solving the assignment. What can I do?

Have you tried speaking to your partner about your expectations beforehand? Many group issues can be resolved by better communication and setting expectations. If talking to your partner does not resolve the situation, speak to course staff and explain the details of what has happened. We will try to help you resolve the issue.

Additional Resources

• EECS Student Climate & Incident Reporting Form
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)