# An Exploratory Study of Live-Streamed Programming

## TL;DR

This study explores the characteristics, motivations, and challenges of live-streamed programming, revealing its similarities to pair programming and highlighting the need for improved tools to support streamers and viewers.

## Contribution

It provides an empirical analysis of live-streamed programming, identifying key motivations, challenges, and proposing design recommendations for better supporting this practice.

## Key findings

- Live-streamed programming shares benefits with pair programming.
- Streamers are motivated by knowledge sharing and socializing.
- Tool limitations hinder engagement and effectiveness.

## Abstract

In live-streamed programming, developers broadcast their development work on open source projects using streaming media such as YouTube or Twitch. Sessions are first announced by a developer acting as the streamer, inviting other developers to join and interact as watchers using chat. To better understand the characteristics, motivations, and challenges in live-streamed programming, we analyzed 20 hours of live-streamed programming videos and surveyed 7 streamers about their experiences. The results reveal that live-streamed programming shares some of the characteristics and benefits of pair programming, but differs in the nature of the relationship between the streamer and watchers. We also found that streamers are motivated by knowledge sharing, socializing, and building an online identity, but face challenges with tool limitations and maintaining engagement with watchers. We discuss the implications of these findings, identify limitations with current tools, and propose design recommendations for new forms of tools to better supporting live-streamed programming.