Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help

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Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help

Jeff Moden

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Points: 1004406
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November 26, 2007 at 9:22 pm

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Comments posted to this topic are about the item Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help
--Jeff Moden
RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.
Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.
Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

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Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004406 More actions · Answer 1

Heh... guess I hit someone's "sweet" spot... got 1 vote with 1 star so far and they didn't even take the time to post what their complaint was 😀

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

Mike C SSC-Insane Points: 23224 More actions · Answer 2

Hey Jeff, people trying to get answers in the newsgroups can certainly learn from your experience. The only thing I would add is that it also helps if people post expected results (the explanations aren't always clear) and the thing about cross-posting to multiple newsgroups instead of posting the same question to 10 different newsgroups 10 different times.

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004406 More actions · Answer 3

Thanks for the feedback, Mike.

Yep... folks on news groups could learn a thing or two about how to post questions, as well. Some folks just don't understand how much better an answer you can get if you post some easy to use test data.

And, I absolutely agree... post on one thread and post some expected results to go along with the data.

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

Bad dog Old Hand Points: 387 More actions · Answer 4

Hi Jeff

You raise a point that goes beyond just posting on forums - In the general office situation this is also common: People ask questions without being clear and actually expect you to write their code for them. Worse still, they hold you accountable if it doesn't work. It never ceases to amaze me how people who don't have a clue would sooner spend an entire day trying to get someone else to solve their problem than spend the day doing some research to figure out and understand SQL better (and there is no shortage of fantastic resources: books online, books from Amazon etc.)

In the office situation, I've resorted to giving answers like "You could probably solve this using the DateDiff function, you can read up on how it works in books online" - point someone in the right direction but don't write the code for them. This way they have to figure it out for themselves and be accountable for their solution, and they are far less likely to ask you the same question again in a weeks time.

Its a sad truth that there are people out there who claim to be programmers when all they can do is copy code off the web and don't really understand the fundamentals of programming.

I couldn't agree more with your statement that if you don't take your code / problem seriously, why would anyone else.

Phil Factor SSC-Insane Points: 20244 More actions · Answer 5

I couldn't agree more with Jeff. I really enjoy solving problems if they are well presented, and loathe doing so if the problem is badly expressed. What irritates me is when a question can be answered by anyone by a simple search on the internet.

It is a really good habit to take care and thought in describing a problem. I suspect that the very process of presenting and describing a problem often makes the solution suddenly pop into the head.

Best wishes,
Phil Factor

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 6

Nice. I'm also a little tired of people looking for a free lunch.

Problem is, those who need it most will likely not be the people who read it.

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

Doug Wittich-466168 SSC Rookie Points: 37 More actions · Answer 7

My pet peeve besides those given already: Poor choice of subject. So many "Newbie needs help" and "help me" threads abound. I'd much rather see a topical subject.

Jason Selburg SSC-Insane Points: 24641 More actions · Answer 8

My fingers are crossed that people actually read this article!

Maybe get Steve to include something like this in the new user sign-up... 😀

______________________________________________________________________

Personal Motto: Why push the envelope when you can just open it?

If you follow the direction given HERE[/url] you'll likely increase the number and quality of responses you get to your question.

Jason L. Selburg

Bob Fazio SSChampion Points: 10794 More actions · Answer 9

You realize that the only ones who will read that article are those that know how to post 🙁 However, is it just me or did Jeff's post of the "Bad Code" not show up? Had a slider, but no code.

Opus Default port Points: 1419 More actions · Answer 10

As someone who generally posts more questions than answers, I thought this was a great article. Any way to make this required reading before someone creates their first post? This would have saved me a lot of time and those answering my questions, as you stated. Nicely done.

Loner SSC-Insane Points: 21279 More actions · Answer 11

Actually I tried to answer that question, it was quite a challenge !!!

Sometimes it is hard to write a question, I read a question that is a page long with tables and query and everything, I just don't have patience to read a page long question.

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736478 More actions · Answer 12

We can recommend it, but not sure many people will read it. Lots of people want to get an answer, post quickly, don't think about reading anything, including the sign-up screen. 🙂

Great article, Jeff!

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004406 More actions · Answer 13

You raise a point that goes beyond just posting on forums - In the general office situation this is also common:

Funny that you should mention that, Bad Dog... We've been having a bit of a debate on one of the threads about the differences between a "Programmer", a "Good Programmer", and a "Great Programmer". I think you've identified a couple of areas we missed 🙂

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

Marie Wilkinson SSC Enthusiast Points: 178 More actions · Answer 14

I've never posted a problem because I have been too intimidated so this was a wonderful 'how-to'. Thanks.