I generally like pair programming in some cases, and dislike it in others.
You have to combine it with TDD or else each person focuses on something different, and basically reverts to being a spelling mistake checker until it is their turn.
I have only enjoyed it when doing mostly new development, in a modern language with modern tools, combined with a strict red green refactor process, where one person writes the test , and the next makes it pass and writes the next test.
For more exploratory stuff, or doing it without TDD, or using old crappy languages and tools, or doing maintenance, it just sucks and I prefer to work alone.
You have to combine it with TDD or else each person focuses on something different, and basically reverts to being a spelling mistake checker until it is their turn.
I have only enjoyed it when doing mostly new development, in a modern language with modern tools, combined with a strict red green refactor process, where one person writes the test , and the next makes it pass and writes the next test.
For more exploratory stuff, or doing it without TDD, or using old crappy languages and tools, or doing maintenance, it just sucks and I prefer to work alone.