Pair programming tools that are not remote Pair programming tools that are not remote windows windows

Pair programming tools that are not remote


Something I did once:

Take two desks and place them up facing against each other so that when each developer sits at a desk they are facing the other developer.

Each developer gets two monitors, one of which is plugged into the OTHER developer's computer.

Each computer is set to mirror/clone its screen to the other monitor. This means that each developer is facing each other but also each developer can see what the other one is doing on her computer.

Then, each developer installs the free software called "Synergy2" (http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/) on her computer and configures it such that when the developer moves her mouse cursor over past the edge of her screen towards the side that the other monitor is visible, the developer can then interact with the other developer's interface.

This way, you can both always see what the other is doing AND also fluidly move from driving to riding shotgun for each other as the situation demands it.

Sometimes this ends up working like the classical method where one dev is always driving and the other is always riding shotgun but it at least gives the opportunity to work both independently as well as together.

Actually I think I will suggest trying this out with my current workmates on Monday!


After looking at your comments, it seems like you have a single computer with multiple keyboards, and want to have two people using the same computer, but typing into different programs. I wrote a program to do this once, but it only worked with custom applications.

If you're willing to pay $100 or so, there are several possible programs you can try:

All of the above programs are designed to be used with a single computer and multiple montors/keyboards/mice.

BTW, the term for a single computer with multiple monitors is multi-head; the term for a single computer with multiple monitors and keyboards is multi-seat.


Classic pair programming is when 2 programmers sitting at the PC, but only one programmer writing the code.