Pull requests versus pair programming

Pull requests

• I believe pull requests can be a cheaper way of achieving the same benefits as pair programming
• But this requires a lot of discipline from the developer and the reviewer

Pair programming

• by far the best way to transfer knowledge between senior and junior
  • and it goes both ways e.g. junior will share some sick modern tricks
• keyboard shortcuts, cli tricks and so on stick in the mind much more readily when learned by doing with guidance
  • similarly, a knowledge transfer session is much more effective when the audience does the steps guided by the presenter

Good article

• https://mtlynch.io/code-review-love/ of which i 100% agree with most points
• writing a description should be a simple case of linking back to the ticket
• put cosmetic changes (if absolutely necessary) in their own commit so reviewers don't have to consider them
• the reviewer may have fresh eyes, but none of the context, and should appreciate the author has made decisions based on much more knowledge of the situation