The Effect of Social Activities on Pair Programming: Results from an Experiment

Pair-programming is a programming method where two people use one computer to work simultaneously on the same programming assignment. Previous research suggests pair-jelling plays an important role in how pairs perform. Pair-jelling is where the pair engages in activities to solidify and enhance their partnership. However, little empirical research has been done in the area of pair-jelling. In this paper, we explain the theory behind working in pairs, and why it is important for a pair to have effective communication. We also conducted an experiment to investigate the benefits of pair-jelling by comparing the quality of a programming assignment between two groups of pair programmers, one of which was engaged in a pair jelling activity. Our results suggest that there was no major difference in the time to complete the project and the quality of the program between the two test groups. This could be due to a multitude of reasons, including program complexity, social activity type, and time constraints.