By now, virtually every software developer has heard of / known about Pair-Programming. Twelve months ago, I did not know what it meant. Of course I knew all about how git can be used to save versions of your code but I did not think about how more than one person can work on the same code base.
I have spent months learning from open source platforms and tutorials, but I found that sometimes I lose the motivation to continue with the material after a couple of weeks. However, after a couple of months, I got an email. Enters Microverse….
Microverse is an online Software Development School that accepts students from all over the world and teaches them how to code, and how to work as part of a distributed network of developers. You will not pay until you get a job.
You have to collaborate
Pair Programming is one of the tenets of the program, you are paired with another student and the two of you do everything together (sort of like a buddy system). You code together, debug together and deploy together (as they say in the service, you do not leave your partner behind).
I have to get up everyday and be driven because I know that my partner needs me.
Two heads are better than one
Apart from being more fun to write code with a partner, I find out that I am making fewer mistakes compared to before I joined the program. Also, I learn and understand new concepts faster, and when mistakes are made, it is easy to spot and correct them.
This is my first few weeks in the program and I am confident that things will continue to get better.
So if you were in the same boat that I was in, and you are looking for an avenue to improve on your programming, here are few reasons why I think you should join the program.
- I found a new friend.
- I was accepted into a new family that helps one another.
- I learnt Ruby in 4 days (to put this in context, it took me weeks to learn my first language).
- I put in 8 hours days without feeling overworked.
Anytime I think back and see the difference a few weeks have made in the way I write code, I am always happy that I opened that email.