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Pair Programming Styles

Driver-Navigator: The Classic Approach

The most traditional and structured form of pair programming. One person (the driver) controls the keyboard and mouse, focusing on the tactical implementation, while the other (the navigator) reviews the code in real-time, thinks strategically, and guides the overall direction.

Best for:

  • Complex problem-solving that requires deep focus
  • When one person is significantly more experienced
  • Learning new technologies or codebases

Strong-Style Pairing: Learning-Focused

Built on the principle "for an idea to go from your head into the computer, it must go through someone else's hands." The person with the idea becomes the navigator, while the less experienced person drives, ensuring active learning and knowledge transfer.

Key principle:

"The driver should be the person who is least familiar with the current task"

Ping-Pong Pairing: Test-Driven Collaboration

Perfect for test-driven development. One person writes a failing test, then the other writes code to make it pass. Roles alternate with each test-code cycle, creating natural rhythm and shared ownership.

The cycle:

  1. Person A writes a failing test
  2. Person B writes minimal code to pass the test
  3. Person B writes the next failing test
  4. Person A writes code to pass, and so on...

Unstructured Pairing: Flexible Flow

Less formal approach where partners naturally switch roles based on expertise, energy levels, and task requirements. Works well for experienced pairs who can self-organize effectively.

Best for:

  • Experienced pairs with good communication
  • Exploring new ideas or experimenting
  • When formal structure feels constraining

Tour Guide Style: Knowledge Sharing

One person leads the session, explaining concepts and demonstrating techniques while the other observes and asks questions. Ideal for onboarding or when introducing new tools, patterns, or domain knowledge.