Frequently Asked Questions about Pair-Programming and Programming Logs

1. How can I choose a partner if I don't know anyone?
2. How can I share files with my partner?
3. What do I do if my partner doesn't show?
4. My partner didn't help at all on the assignment, should I still put their name on the submission?
5. Do my partner and I each need to turn in a log?
6. Do I need to turn in a log for the ungraded assignments?
7. Do I need to work with my partner on the ungraded assignments?

If you don't know anyone else in the class, it would be helpful if you could submit a file, simply stating that you have no preference. We will then match you with someone else in your section, thus assuring at least some common time when you can meet. You may also meet someone at your first lab section in a similar situation and submit their name.

You can make a directory that either of you can read and write. For example, first make a directory for the assignment (or the entire course). Let's call it hw2. To do that type:

mkdir hw2

Suppose that the above command was typed by user maryk, and her partner was brucej. Then maryk would also type the command:

fs sa hw2 brucej rw

This tells the files system (fs) to set the access (sa) for directory hw2 so that brucej can read and write any files in the directory. If you want to see that it worked, type

fs la hw2

For more about using AFS (the andrew file system, which is used by cats for most files - notice the /afs in front of all of the path names), see http://www2.ucsc.edu/cats/sc/help/unix/afs/primer.shtml

Case 1: Your partner has not yet done the assignment.

1. You can submit your own solution, including ONLY your name in the submmitted file, and your partner can work alone, completing their own solution. In this case, you should still include your partner's name on your log sheet but indicate you worked alone, and in the comments section state that your partner didn't show up.
2. You can scrap your solution and work with your partner on a pair solution. In this case your partner must drive and you must review until you have a program that is at least as good as the one you scrapped.
3. Your partner can work alone until they have a solution. At this point it becomes Case 2 below.

1. You can each submit your own solution. As in 1.1 above you should include only your name in the submitted source file(s) but still include your partner's name on your log, along with an explanation in the comment field.
2. You can scrap both solutions and redo a combined solution. This is referred to as "flushing" in the Pair Programming paper handed out the first day.
3. You can combine your solutions into a single solution. In this case the work incorporated into the final solution must be carefully reviewed by the partner that did not write it.

No. Your partner's name should only appear in the file you submit, if you and your partner worked together on the assignment. If you had planned to work together, but for some unexpected reason had to complete it alone, send an email to charlie@cs.ucsc.edu and explain the situation.

Yes. You should each turn in your own log. You should report the times as you perceived them.

No, althoug I would encourage you to work with your partner on the ungraded assigments as well.

We strongly encourage you to work with your partner on the ungraded assignments.