As the finals of CODE100 approach, our contestants are practicing for four rounds of competitive coding, including a pair programming round. With this in mind, we thought we would share some tips on how to be a better pair programmer and how to avoid the common pitfalls of coding collaboratively.
Choose the Right Style for the Job
Pair programming is more than multiple people huddling around a computer pointing out bugs and suggesting solutions - there are tried-and-tested styles pairs can adopt to be effective:
Driver-Navigator: The driver types, while the other thinks strategically (the navigator), spotting potential issues, asking questions, and doing most of the talking.
Back-and-forth: Write a failing test, have your partner fix it to make it pass, and then swap. This is great for TDD.
Strong-Style Pairing: The navigator gives instructions in natural language and the driver translates this into code - ideal for mentoring.
Agree on a pairing style upfront. It sets expectations and helps keep the session focused.
Communicate
Pair programming is all about collaboration. Silence might feel productive, but it usually signals a disconnect.
Instead, share your thoughts and let the other person hear your thought process.
Don’t assume your partner sees what you see. And even if you’re using the driver-navigator approach (where one person does most of the talking), you should still share your thoughts to stay on the same page.
Switch Roles Regularly
Long stretches in the same role - especially as the driver - can lead to tunnel vision and burnout. Set a timer, and rotate roles frequently. It keeps both developers engaged and reduces mental fatigue.
This almost sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many CODE100 challengers switch roles and make a breakthrough as a result.
Keep It Focused, Not Perfect
Pairing sessions shouldn’t be about writing perfect code on the first try. They’re for sharing thought processes and approaches, unblocking each other, and helping both developers learn.
When a debate drags on, decide on a “good enough for now” solution and move on. You can always refactor later, and you don’t want to get caught up on minor details.
Learn Each Other’s Strengths
One underrated benefit of coding with a partner is the chance to see how someone else thinks. Each person brings different strengths and weaknesses.
Maybe your teammate is a wizard with array methods, or thinks well laterally and can solve unusual issues creatively. You’ll only find out by coding with them.
Part of the fun of pair programming is figuring out what your partner is really good at — and learning from them. Rest assured, they’ll be doing the same with you.
This turns every pairing session into a micro-mentorship opportunity in both directions.
Summary
Pair programming can feel awkward at first — especially for developers used to flying solo. But when done right, it leads to better code, stronger teams, and faster learning.
Whether you’re collaborating with a friend, working with a teammate ahead of a deadline or stepping onto a stage for a public coding showdown like CODE100 at this year’s World Congress, investing in your collaborative coding skills always pays off.