What is Extreme Programming in Agile : Values and Practices

What Is Extreme Programming In Agile? (XP)

Extreme Programming in agile had been designed and developed to solve the distinct challenges of small team software design in the face of uncertain and dynamic requirements. In short, it is a fast, safe, reliable, scientific, and exciting way to design software.

In the 1990s, the Internet's popularity forced a transformation in software development. As a result, the software development process needs to be reduced significantly if a company's performance depended on how quickly it could expand and deliver services.

While several of these principles and objectives may be recognized from several other planning methods, XP pushes these techniques to "extreme" levels, while the name of the approach indicates.

XP establishes values and principles that serve as a framework for team behavior. The workgroup is meant to operate independently. Extreme Programming supports certain essential practices in which −

• Every activity is simplistic and self-contained.
• Combining methods results in more complicated and emerging behavior.

When Is Extreme Programming Applicable?

Would you be wondering whether XP will meet the team's needs? Extreme programming can be beneficial for organizations that include the following:

• Expecting frequent updates to the existing platform.
• Work with clients who have continuously evolving specifications or are unsure of what they'd like the system to achieve.
• To limit the risk of the project, particularly in specified time frames.
• Specify a limited set of developers.
• Possess the potential to collaborate closely with clients.
• Are capable of automating units and functional testing.

If your team sets a high value on teamwork and continual improvement, extreme programming in agile could be worth exploring. In addition to ensuring product release, XP has significantly risen tremendously for developers worldwide by anticipating failures along the process and requiring programmers to collaborate.

If you engage in agile projects or adopt an agile methodology, you can choose the PMI ACP training online.

5 Values of Extreme Programming

1. Communication 

Communication is critical to the success of application development initiatives and also initiatives in any sector. Failure to communicate stops the understanding of the people in the group and to collaborate in a group. So, the problem has been resolved repeatedly, resulting in wastage. As a result, XP places a premium on excellent communication with team members and stakeholders.

2. Simplicity 

Simplicity suggests that you should constantly aim to perform the most straightforward thing possible. It is also important to note that simplicity is very relevant. XP searches out the simplest methods for doing tasks. This implies that wastage is reduced, only identified activities are undertaken, and design is easy to develop and maintain effectively.

3. Feedback 

“Too little, too late” feedback is a prevalent waterfall technique. Yet, feedback is critical for potential improvements. XP promotes quick feedback. This enables the team to discover areas for development and make necessary adjustments to processes.

4. Respect 

To accomplish goals, the organization must have mutual understanding, both professionally and personally. XP's core principle is that everyone values their profession. Technical competence alone will not save a program if there is a lack of attention and respect.

5. Courage 

Giving and accepting feedback requires courage on both sides. XP encourages perseverance on all levels. This can involve focusing on things that would not perform and influence the project's efficacy or accepting criticism and improving techniques.

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Extreme Programming Practices

XP is a set of interrelated software development practices. Although extreme programming practices can be implemented on an isolated basis, several organizations have observed that certain practices strengthen each other and should be done together. This enables you to eliminate the risks associated with software design.

Extreme Programming contains a range of programming concepts that apply to the majority of software development teams. To begin, ACP training should be provided to some of the practices, and then gradual improvements should be developed on the small accomplishments.

The initial twelve extreme programming practices include the following:

1. The Plan Game - Collaboration between business and development to maximize corporate value as quickly as possible. The planning game occurs on several levels, but the fundamental rules remain the same:

• The business develops a set of appropriate functional requirements in the user stories.
• Development assesses the effort required to complete each narrative and the amount of effort the organization can deliver in a particular time frame.
• Following that, the firm determines which ideas to adopt and in what sequence.

2. Small Releases - Begin with the least effective set of functions. Then, release frequently and regularly, every time getting very few functionalities.

3. Framework Metaphor - Each initiative is organized metaphorically, which results in an easily remembered naming pattern.

4. A Straightforward Design - At each point of time, the design succeeds all tests, represents all the developers need, has no code duplication, and comprises the least objects and functions available. This guideline is explained: 'Express everything just once.'

5. Testing - Before adding functionality, developers can write a test for this. Whenever the suite is executed, the task is completed. In Windows XP, tests come in two different kinds.

• Unit Tests are automatic tests that programmers build to check accuracy.
• The client performs acceptance tests to ensure that its complete system works as expected.

6. Refactoring - Remove the duplicate code that has been developed during a coding process. You can do this comfortably since you have relevant testing.

7. Pair Programming - The production planning code is produced by two developers located on a single machine. In essence, all coding is examined in real-time as it is developed.

8. Ownership of collective code - Every coder enhances any code wherever in the framework when they see the possibility.

9. Integrating Continuously - The new code gets merged into the entire process within the next few hours. During integration, the platform is rebuilt from the beginning, and all testing should be complete.

10. Weekly Work Schedule of 40 Hours - No one can work overtime for a second successive week. Overtime is an indication of more significant challenges to be addressed.

11. On-site Client - A customer works with the crew on a full-time basis.

12. Fundamentals of Coding - Everybody adheres to a specific set of standards. In an idealistic situation, you are now unable to identify by examining which team member modified a particular piece of code.

Common Roles in Extreme Programming

XP establishes distinct responsibilities. It places a high premium on developers and encourages programmers to enjoy the process of testing their programs. To adopt approaches such as pair programming, XP developers require extensive technical knowledge and strong communication skills.

XP necessitates testers, even if the developer team does the rest. The tester's responsibility changes to assisting the client in defining and writing the testing process.

Each software development project has a client. XP emphasizes the client role to the point of necessitating coexistence with the project team and that they must deliver product decisions and characterize the system's behavior through user stories.

XP contains a tracker that provides vital input on the team's performance when it comes to data usage to assist the team. Additionally, there is a coach who helps the XP team in achieving better results.

Also Read: Extreme Programming vs Scrum

Conclusion

XP is remarkable because it highlights the best extreme programming practices that other agile approaches leave to the user's decision. XP is suitable for various processes. If you work in a company that operates under a strong centralized system, ACP certification is the best option for you. 

However, all non-IT businesses keep hiring the waterfall paradigm and rely on project managers to complete projects successfully. PMI agile certification is a specialized certification approved worldwide. The decision shows a significant transition in your profession and ambition.