Experiences with Pair Programming?

gmletzkojr queries: "I recently was able to engage in some Pair Programming for a couple of days. However, my experience was less than rewarding. I have read books regarding the subject, and all of the case studies show praise for the effort. I found my pair programmer a bit difficult to work with. Has anyone been in this situation, and what things can be done to work around the personality conflicts?"

Comments

Re:My Experience

[angel'o'sphere]

I've seen this mistake in numerous contexts, from programming to pairs sports. If you put two people together of very different abilities, there really is very little for the more senior partner to gain. Sure, they can pick up the odd thing occasionally, but not enough to keep them motivated and justify the time they "waste". Likewise, teaching can be a useful way to solidify knowledge, but that only works if the abilities are different but not too different. Getting a world champion to coach an absolute beginner will be frustrating for both. Getting a 20-year veteran to teach programming 101 to a newbie by drip-feeding on the job will be frustrating for both.
I don't want to get arrogant or sarcastic. Because I' know I'm arrogant and sarcastic ...so what?
Did you ever consider to get children? Hu hom, so you are about 20 years more experianced in EVERYTHING, not just coding, IN LIVE than your children? And: ITS NO FUN, teaching them? You DON'T GET ANYTHING back as teh more experianced one?
So having children and going with them to a summer holliday is a total waste?
Yeah, sorry, I was sarcastic. But why can't you try to live your job like you would want to live your live?
Why do you, YOU ALL on /. , allways see a gap between live, job and wishfull thinking?

angel'o#sphere