Will Pair Programming Be Eliminated By Ai?

By Author: varun parikh
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Pair programming is commended for all of its advantages. The team is aware of the technologies and code base, so even if certain team members are ill or unavailable, work will continue to be done in the website design company.

If code reviews are required at all, it simplifies them. It also produces code of excellent quality. This is where "AI pair programmers"—a term used to describe AI programming tools like GitHub's Copilot—may be helpful. Some programmers may be happy about these non-human entities since they may eliminate the scourge of programming and the need for them to "pair program" with obnoxious coworkers. Others may have different emotions. Regardless of your background in pair programming, AI has the potential to be revolutionary.

Trying to answer the issue, Will Pair Programming Be Eliminated by AI?

Let us delve into the realm of pair programming in this article.

Pair programming: What is it?

Pair programming's core tenet is that two users share a computer. However, some businesses use a variant of pair programming ...
... called mob programming.

Instead of working in pairs, a group of developers collaborates using mob programming on a single assignment. They might even use the same computer.

Remote pair programming, in which two people work on an issue via the Internet, has also altered the definition and application of pair programming.

It works well for remote work teams and organizations with members dispersed across various states, nations, or regions.

The process of pair programming

In pair programming, two people develop code together—typically on a single computer. During the matching phase, they have a specific objective that they must accomplish and frequently overlook the more comprehensive picture. A separate research session may be necessary occasionally for the pair, mainly when working with unfamiliar technologies, tools, or code bases.

Other tasks, such as spending time comprehending a user story and your team's notion of "done," might be included in pairing. A user story is a strategy for developing software features. It rephrases the elements, keeping the user in mind.

When a team says something is "done," they believe it is complete enough to share with the end user. This could apply to the entire product or just one user story.

For pair programming to be effective, you must consider how to cycle the pair's tasks, take pauses, manage your time, and take turns. When pairing remotely, use software to access the other person's code, such as LiveShare on Visual Studio code.

Will pair AI eliminate programming?

The number of AI coding assistants that have arrived to simplify our lives as software engineers still overwhelms us.

In the 2023 StackOverflow Survey, 37,000 developers used AI tools, and 82.55% used them to produce code. The most essential query is whether these AI technologies can facilitate pair programming. One option is to contrast AI programs that market themselves as "your AI pair programmer" with human programmers. Is this, however, a fair comparison?

AI helper tool comparison with human pair

If you consider the AI the navigator, it will provide you with code ideas through code completions. But should the navigator have less significant experience or knowledge? In this instance, is AI more knowledgeable about the technology and code base than humans? There may be better ideas to think of AI-powered pair programming in terms of comparing AI with humans.

Assistant tools for AI coding that act as AI programmers

These artificial intelligence technologies provide recommendations you were already considering but just took a bit longer to write them down. But they can produce them fast, which accelerates your web development services. As such, we're more productive in finishing user stories and scripts more quickly.

Debugging, however, may take longer than the AI genuinely saves us when it makes a mistake.

Will pair programming then be eliminated?

AI will eliminate improperly implemented pair programming. However, if pair programming is executed wherein I assume the dual roles of driver and navigator, the AI and I will benefit from this approach.

AI systems now provide recommendations based on code-based comprehension of context. This implies that I can work well with the AI as a partner. Thus, AIs such as Copilot or CodeWhisperer can assist if your pairing choices are poor matches or if your culture discourages good pairing. However, the requirement for an AI pair programmer is significantly decreased if pair programming is carried out well.

You won't require an AI if you and your partner can agree on the objectives for the pairing session and if one or both of you are familiar with the technologies, code base, and user story.

Conversely, an AI can be helpful if you're coding alone and having trouble. This technology would also be beneficial when your coworkers are unavailable, such as late at night, during a meeting, or while on vacation.

This suggests we can't be sure whether AI will eliminate pair programming. Nevertheless, it's helpful to consider your particular use case when considering AI as a pair programmer.

Final reflections

Web developers sometimes swear to ride alone. We prefer to avoid taking on roles that require pairing because we have had terrible experiences with pair programming. Pair programming has proper and improper methods. For instance, pairing for the entire workday might not be beneficial while providing web development services.

Pairing has its limitations, as well. Sometimes, giving your brain some quiet time to ponder is the only way to address an issue, and it's challenging to do so when someone is constantly chatting. A website design company can assist you with all your requirements.

Varun Parikh is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in the IT outsourcing industry. With a passion for technology and a deep understanding of the outsourcing landscape, Varun has established himself as a trusted authority in the field. He has contributed extensively to thought leadership in the field, authoring numerous articles, whitepapers, and blog posts that shed light on the latest trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in IT outsourcing.