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"You're stuck on a programming problem. What do you do first?"
cheers,
Chris Maunder
The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP
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You forgot the underline, ALL CAPS and using a larger font so people are slightly less likely to misread the question! 
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cheers,
Chris Maunder
The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP
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Ah. Obviously I was hasty in responding.
/ravi
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Or at least I have done all of the above to find solutions to problems (bugs or design issues) that I can not initially figure out. Sometimes I do something completely different and the answer just comes to me. I have solved dozens of computing problems waking up from sleep in the shower or driving to work. After 15 years in the industry I only rarely post my question online expecting someone to solve it for me. The reason is this is so rare that my questions would get answered.
Edit: I should have qualified the last part. I was thinking asking for a complete solution (or even a push in the right direction) to a tough problem online rarely leads to an answer. Asking for simple problems that may be part of a bigger problem will more often lead to an answer.
John
modified on Monday, June 13, 2011 10:04 AM
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When i'm realy stucked into a problem i usally try to find someone not technically and explain him my Problem. Because this person isn't a programmer, i have to shift my point of view to explain the technically problem. In 99.9% during explaining it, i find a solution by myself.
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And it's such fun watching their eyes glaze over. 
Real men don't use instructions. They are only the manufacturers opinion on how to put the thing together.
Manfred R. Bihy: "Looks as if OP is learning resistant."
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Surely if you already know the exact answer, there's little point searching online!
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Agreed... That is why I search for something general that may lead me to the "exact" solution.
I wasn't, now I am, then I won't be anymore.
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sometimes is enought copying the exact error message to google and the exact answer will come
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Surely that's searching for an answer to your exact problem - if you know the exact answer, why bother searching?
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The steps normally I follow are:
1.- search the exact answer to your problem... if it isn't found
2.- We search general background information on the issue
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When I smoked, I found it really helped to go for a cigarette every now and then - it both let me concentrate on something else, and also gave me a chance to concentrate without the distraction of having the code there.
Not that I'm planning on re-starting, but it was a definite advantage...
Real men don't use instructions. They are only the manufacturers opinion on how to put the thing together.
Manfred R. Bihy: "Looks as if OP is learning resistant."
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cigarette or "cigarette"... (Our friends in British Columbia at least will know what I'm rambling about)
I wasn't, now I am, then I won't be anymore.
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Do I take it this "cigarette" is the type that makes you relax and get the munchies?
Real men don't use instructions. They are only the manufacturers opinion on how to put the thing together.
Manfred R. Bihy: "Looks as if OP is learning resistant."
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That's my guess too, I'm British, I guess he's talking about "Columbian".
(Although "Columbian" may be more commonly associated with another stimulant, one that may not help in this situation).
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Ah - marching powder. Probably not going to help, no - but it might seem like it until the next day.
Real men don't use instructions. They are only the manufacturers opinion on how to put the thing together.
Manfred R. Bihy: "Looks as if OP is learning resistant."
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and it is a stimulant as well.
Craigslist Troll: litaly@comcast.net
"I have a theory that the truth is never told during the nine-to-five hours. "
— Hunter S. Thompson
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I'll go away from desk, have a scrumptious BACON samich and, as if by magic, the problem will be fixed.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction.
My work here is done.
or "Drink. Get drunk. Fall over." - P O'H
OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre
Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb -- they're often *students*, for heaven's sake. -- (Terry Pratchett, alt.fan.pratchett)
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But if you're not really hungry, Liquid Nitrogen is a viable alternative.
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
-----
You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
-----
"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
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And then it's as clear as CListCtrl!
Panic, Chaos, Destruction.
My work here is done.
or "Drink. Get drunk. Fall over." - P O'H
OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre
Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb -- they're often *students*, for heaven's sake. -- (Terry Pratchett, alt.fan.pratchett)
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Well, it does make the bacon crunchy.
Join the cool kids - Come fold with us[ ^]
"Program as if the technical support department is full of serial killers and they know your home address" - Ray Cassick Jr., RIP
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