Pair programming, mixed IDE environments?

Question

Anyone got any experience of teams doing pair programming where there is a mixed IDE environment? I'm a long time IntelliJ user, others use Eclipse, which you may have heard of.

In my mind pair programming involves a lot of passing the keyboard between the programmers. But every time I get the keyboard I grind to a halt as I don't know to do anything anymore. (It's like suddenly I'm an idiot!)

Now I could, probably should, learn my way round Eclipse. (Not starting a holy war here about relative merits.) But I wonder if anyone else has got an opinion?

Answer 1

I don't see the need for passing the keyboard around. In my view, you work on part while the other half of your pair looks over your shoulder. Sometimes I imagine you would have to take the wheel, but generally not every 10 minutes. If he types for 4 hours, then you switch places, just switch IDEs at that time.

I agree you should learn the tools that are used, and if there is an actual published or documented standard you should follow it, but if you are allowed to use any IDE you want, then I don't see an issue. But if it inhibits your ability to deliver, then maybe you pair up with someone using the same IDE as you.