Enhancements to Support Functions of Distributed Pair Programming Based on Action Analysis

Pair programming is a practice of software development where two programmers work together to create programs. It is important for students to understand and learn effective pair programming in software engineering. A pair of programmers at distributed sites can program in pairs by using a support system including text chats or synchronized editors. It is important to enable effective communication in distributed pair programming as well as in collocated human dialogue. We conducted experiments to collect information about students' activities, communications, and answers to questionnaires. These collected data were analyzed to clarify functions that enhanced distributed pair programming. The analysis revealed that it is important for support systems to facilitate easy communication in pairs and for them to have functions that enable appropriate partner changes and role switching.