Dealing with Confusing Programming Questions: A SEO Guide

Every other week, as an experienced programmer, someone comes to me with a problem and asks how it might be solved. Together, we explore potential solutions. Others would come to me and say, ldquo;All you gotta do is…rdquo; - a phrase that took on the connotation of cluelessness at my workplace.

There are some truly horrendous questions that if answered as written will never help the person asking them. Thatrsquo;s because therersquo;s some misunderstanding baked right into the wording of the question. Irsquo;ve learned to use the kind of reaction you described as a hint to myself that I need to gently guide the person asking the question back to where they made the wrong assumption and bring them forward from there. If I canrsquo;t see where that mistake occurred or donrsquo;t think I can explain it clearly enough, I leave the question to others.

Often, I answer by starting with a restatement of the question and an explanation of why the restatement helps. If that explanation really helps the questioner, then Irsquo;ve gotten it right.

Categories of Confusing Programming Questions

This question is actually made of 2 parts:

Do you sometimes get questions that seem foolish Do you consider the question author as foolish

The answer to the first part is YES, ALL THE TIME!.

The answer to the second part is NO. There are beginners in this world, and they sometimes need some time to gain the required experience.

If you will look at my answer under the ldquo;Computer Programmingrdquo; tag, you will see that I, along with many others, try to give explanations as well as the outright answer.

I was going to answer that 50% of the questions about programming I see here fall into that category and I just shake my head and move on. But Irsquo;ve just read the first 10 answers and realize that everyone else here is a better person than I!

Some of these people come to you and say, ldquo;All you gotta do is…rdquo; Or they are people in suits and paid a mint to be your superior and manager. Some of these people still think that computers are magical Oracles and that programmers are those strange little goblins that can make these Oracles produce unicorns.

Tips for Handling Confusing Questions

Here are some tips for handling confusing questions when you are a programmer:

Gently Guide the Questioner: When you encounter a question that seems to be based on a misunderstanding, gently guide the questioner back to the correct assumption. Provide explanations alongside the actual answers. Restate the Question: Often, the problem can be clarified by restating the question. This can help in focusing on the core issue and provide a clearer direction for the solution. Be Patient and Calm: Even if the questioner is coming from a place of misunderstanding or a lack of experience, remaining patient and calm can help in guiding them to the right path. Use Examples and Analogies: Sometimes, using examples or analogies can help in making complex concepts more understandable. Encourage Learning: Cultivate a culture of learning and continuous improvement. Encourage the questioner to explore and understand the basics before attempting more complex tasks.

By following these tips, you can help your colleagues and managers become better at programming, and in turn, improve the overall quality of work and the organization.

Conclusion

Handling confusing programming questions is a skill that all programmers should develop. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a beginner, learning to guide and educate others is crucial for the growth of the team and the organization as a whole.

By fostering a supportive and educational environment, we can turn even the most bewildering questions into opportunities for learning and growth.