Introduction
Extreme programming is a type of agile methodology-based software development method that aims to significantly accelerate responsiveness to dynamic customer needs, which ensures higher software quality. This essay will discuss extreme programming in the context of the agile methodology, and outline the benefits, limitations and key project archetypes for this software development methodology.
Overview of extreme programming
Extreme programming is a software development methodology premised on the agile method. It is based on the frequent issuance of software versions in short sprint-based development cycles. In each cycle, the software version improves iteratively, and serves as a milestone for customer feedback to be obtained and new customer requirements to be incorporated into the software. Extreme programming can be viewed as an acceleration of the usual agile methodology, where code is reviewed extensively through techniques such as pair-based coding, intensive code reviews, unit code testing, incremental programming of software features, and simplicity and clarity of the code in the coding process (Smith & Stoecklin, 2001). Furthermore, extreme programming requires flexibility in adjustment to the customer’s requirements and ongoing communication with the customer to ensure that their needs are continuously being met. Developed by Kent Beck of Chrysler, extreme programming was able to satisfy the increasingly short product life-cycle demands of technology and hardware companies, and served as an important innovation to accelerate the software development process in a way that was responsive to customer needs (Smith & Stoecklin, 2001).
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Extreme programming is governed by the five key values of courage, respect, feedback, simplicity and communication. Foremost, strong communication between the various members of the software development team is necessary to ensure that knowledge is shared freely and any roadblocks or bottlenecks in the software development process are addressed in a timely manner. Secondly, extreme programming should seek the simplest solution available in order to ensure high efficiency in the software development process (Smith & Stoecklin, 2001). Thirdly, extreme programming requires constant feedback from the different software development teams and customers. Fourthly, courage is necessary to ensure that any bottlenecks or roadblocks are raised quickly in an action-oriented approach, and to discard efforts which are not working. Finally, respect is necessary to maintain team cohesion and efficiency in a highly intensive software development process (Smith & Stoecklin, 2001).
The process of extreme programming has five key stages of planning, designing, coding, testing and listening. Foremost, planning is necessary for the customer requirements to be adequately addressed in a software development plan, with the requirements formulated into stories that characterise the end result. Spikes can be introduced at this stage to flag out key unanswered questions that require further research. Next, designing ensures that a suitable structure and logic of the system is identified, which streamlines any redundancies or inefficiencies in the software development process. Thirdly, coding involves the programming of the designed system, using specific extreme programming practices such as continuous integration, collective code ownership, and pair programming. Testing, the fourth stage, then involves subjecting the program or software to various tests, such as unit tests and user acceptance tests, to verify that the software’s or program’s developed features work optimally and in accordance with the key customer requirements. Finally, the listening stage involves receiving further customer feedback and advice on areas for improvement, in order to fix any issues with the software. The whole process requires the constant and active engagement of customers, programmers, developers and managers in an active cycle of feedback and reiteration.
Benefits of extreme programming
Extreme programming enjoys the following advantages. Foremost, if implemented correctly, extreme programming provides clear code and a stable system. As the method involves incremental software development that constantly incorporates customer feedback, customer satisfaction is normally high, and the end-user’s needs are eventually met in a comprehensive manner. Extreme programming also ensures active collaboration and communication without the need for cumbersome documentation, while a minimalist and iterative approach ensures that only the most feasible results are used and quickly moved
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