Advantages and Disadvantages of Programming Schools that Emphasize Pair Programming

Pair programming is a programming method where two programmers work together, aimed at improving code quality and promoting knowledge sharing. Recently, programming schools emphasizing pair programming are increasing. This article takes a detailed look at the advantages and disadvantages of programming schools that emphasize pair programming.

Advantages

1. Knowledge and Skill Sharing

   • In pair programming, two programmers collaborate to write code, so one can complement knowledge and skills that the other doesn’t have. This allows students to learn various techniques and approaches, broadening their skill range.

2. Improved Code Quality

   • With two people writing code simultaneously, code review and improvement happen in real-time. This allows bugs and errors to be discovered early, improving code quality. It also helps establish good habits for maintaining code cleanliness and efficiency.

3. Improved Communication Skills

   • Pair programming requires communication as an important element. Students can polish skills for conveying their thoughts to others and respecting others’ opinions. This naturally improves communication skills necessary for team work.

4. Immediate Feedback

   • Since feedback on code reviews and debugging is obtained in real-time, learning efficiency increases. Students can immediately grasp improvement points in their code and apply them next time.

5. Strengthened Problem-Solving Ability

   • In pair programming, two people solve problems together, so different perspectives and approaches are introduced. This allows finding more creative solutions to complex problems, strengthening problem-solving ability.

Disadvantages

1. Learning Style Mismatch

   • Some students prefer working individually. When pair programming doesn’t suit them, learning efficiency may decrease. Particularly for those who find it difficult to work at different paces or with different approaches, it can become a source of stress.

2. Communication Barriers

   • When communication doesn’t go well, the effectiveness of pair programming decreases. When disagreements or conflicts occur, not only does learning not progress, but it can also cause stress and frustration.

3. Risk of Dependency

   • Since pair programming involves working cooperatively with others, students may not sufficiently develop the ability to work alone. This may make it difficult to cultivate independent problem-solving ability.

4. Time Constraints

   • Pair programming requires coordinating two people’s schedules. When this is difficult, progress may be delayed, so time constraints can affect learning.

5. Partner Selection

   • The effectiveness of pair programming greatly depends on partner compatibility and skill level. When appropriate partners cannot be found, learning quality may decrease.

Conclusion

Programming schools emphasizing pair programming have many advantages such as knowledge and skill sharing, improved code quality, and improved communication skills. However, disadvantages such as learning style mismatch, communication barriers, and time constraints also exist. It’s important for students to devise ways to maximize the benefits of pair programming according to their own learning style and objectives.