Research On Compatibility And Communication Mode In Pair Programming Process

Pair programming is a very important programming practice, which is one of twelve practices of eXtreme Programming (XP). Pair Programming (PP) takes two programmers sit by side to develop programming under predetermined time-division and role-exchanging rules, sharing one monitor, machine, mouse and keyboard. Although there isn’t a full-blown system to apply practically because few research on theory, but our theoretical study shows that, compared to individual programming, pair programming is a very effective method for software development, it has great advantages both on the quality and the quantity.This paper mainly has finished the following works:Firstly, through the Nanjing Normal University students’pair experiments in their non-computer professional computer courses, we study the impact of the personality during pair programming, and meanwhile our research deeply discuss the effect of sex, study ability, ways of thinking and etc. These factors are quantitatively analyzed, for each factor, we explore the influence degree from the quantitative angle under experiments, and we identify the key basic factors on the compatibility of pair programming. Finally we provide some suggestions and explanations for better practice of pair programming arrangements.Secondly, according to the analysis of the existing pair-exchange module, and research on the distributed pair programming present-situation at home and abroad, we apply the Language/Action Theory to analyze the conversation mode between the pairs in pair process, then we present a structured-language communication subsystem according to the pairs’conversation mode. Finally, we realize the communication module which is composed of the structured language and text communication language in the subsystem. This subsystem not only simplifies the process of communication, and also makes the statistical analysis of correlated factors be possible, and then these factors can be quantized.Thirdly, in order to prove the advantage of pair programming better, we introduce the game theory to study the evolution of pair programming. The communication and cooperation are regarded as game between them, and it makes the distribution of cooperate time and partners more reasonable. Through the analysis of test results and our pair programming technology theory, the traditional view of a waste of human resources, not only to be completely overturned, but also the time of pair programming isn’t too long because the pair programming process adds timely review code and a framework for long-term design. More importantly, this not only reduces the error rate of codes greatly, but also makes the cost of post test and maintenance much lower, and increases the team’s ability a lot.