Do programmer pairs make different mistakes than solo programmers?

  • Authors:
  • Matthias M. Müller

  • Affiliations:
  • Fakultät für Informatik, Universität Karlsruhe, Am Fasanengarten 5, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany

  • Venue:
  • Journal of Systems and Software
  • Year:
  • 2007

Quantified Score

Hi-index 0.00

Visualization

Abstract

Objective: Comparison of program defects caused by programmer pairs and solo developers. Design: Analysis of programs developed during two counter balanced experiments. Setting: Programming lab at University. Experimental units: 42 programs developed by computer science students participating in an extreme programming lab course. Main outcome measures: Programmer pairs make as many algorithmic mistakes but fewer expression mistakes than solo programmers. Results: The second result is significant on the 5% level. Conclusions: For simple problems, pair programming seems to lead to fewer mistakes than solo programming.