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I'm not going to single anyone out, but there's been a lot of
"I need help on [insert topic]. How do I do it?"
"Well, here is an [insert reference], please ask clarifying questions if needed."
"Uh, I still don't get it."
"OK, here's a small example."
"What?"
threads lately. And let me immediately address off the bat that asking for assistance is perfectly fine and often needed. But what is sorely lacking from the above thread is the OP's ability to take a reference or an example and teach themselves how to work the situation. While certainly a useful skill, that is not the one to which the title refers, oh no.
Have a Java question? I immediately head here
Have a .NET question? I immediately head here
Have a C/C++ question? I immediately head here
Don't forget about books!
The web not have what you're looking for in C++? I immediately go to my hard copy
So on and so forth...
Have you exhausted all of your research possibilities? I immediately head here
See the pattern? Being able to locate a repository of information and harness it to your benefit is the most useful skill you could ever learn. Research!
Consider this basic premise: if you can read, write, and do simple arithmetic, you can teach yourself anything else. The same concept applies to programming/CS fundamentals.
Teachers, employers, people here on the forums, love it when you can phrase your inquiry like this:
"I'm having trouble on [insert topic], here's what I've tried [attempts], here's what hasn't worked so far [details on attempts]. Is there perhaps another way I should approach this problem? Guidance, suggestions?"
You'd be amazed at the response(s) you'd get if you took the time to research your issue in advance.
"I need help on [insert topic]. How do I do it?"
"Well, here is an [insert reference], please ask clarifying questions if needed."
"Uh, I still don't get it."
"OK, here's a small example."
"What?"
threads lately. And let me immediately address off the bat that asking for assistance is perfectly fine and often needed. But what is sorely lacking from the above thread is the OP's ability to take a reference or an example and teach themselves how to work the situation. While certainly a useful skill, that is not the one to which the title refers, oh no.
Have a Java question? I immediately head here
Have a .NET question? I immediately head here
Have a C/C++ question? I immediately head here
Don't forget about books!
The web not have what you're looking for in C++? I immediately go to my hard copy
So on and so forth...
Have you exhausted all of your research possibilities? I immediately head here
See the pattern? Being able to locate a repository of information and harness it to your benefit is the most useful skill you could ever learn. Research!
Consider this basic premise: if you can read, write, and do simple arithmetic, you can teach yourself anything else. The same concept applies to programming/CS fundamentals.
Teachers, employers, people here on the forums, love it when you can phrase your inquiry like this:
"I'm having trouble on [insert topic], here's what I've tried [attempts], here's what hasn't worked so far [details on attempts]. Is there perhaps another way I should approach this problem? Guidance, suggestions?"
You'd be amazed at the response(s) you'd get if you took the time to research your issue in advance.
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Nykc
24 March 2010 - 09:11 AM
This actually applies to more than just programming communities and programming problems in general.
People do not know how to properly research and|or use the internet to their advantage.
I am experiencing this first hand with a High school son.
People do not know how to properly research and|or use the internet to their advantage.
I am experiencing this first hand with a High school son.
eker676
24 March 2010 - 12:20 PM
Great article!
When I saw the title I immediately thought, debugging. However, you have some great points. People don't know how to properly utilize their resources these days.
I may be a victim of the here's a small example but generally I try to explain what my example is doing or what is wrong with the code.
When I saw the title I immediately thought, debugging. However, you have some great points. People don't know how to properly utilize their resources these days.
I may be a victim of the here's a small example but generally I try to explain what my example is doing or what is wrong with the code.
scalt
24 March 2010 - 12:39 PM
Personally, I don't usually go near MSDN without my gigantic barge pole. It has improved somewhat, but I still find that about 3/5 times I go there I leave having not found out what I wanted to know.
My knowledge repositories:
Have a Java question? I immediately head here
Have a .NET question? I immediately head here
Have a C/C++ question? I immediately head here
Yes, all the links are supposed to be the same
Likewise, I usually only post on DIC as a last resort, and I find that 50% of the time I solve my problem as I'm thinking of how to describe it anyway!
My knowledge repositories:
Have a Java question? I immediately head here
Have a .NET question? I immediately head here
Have a C/C++ question? I immediately head here
Yes, all the links are supposed to be the same
Likewise, I usually only post on DIC as a last resort, and I find that 50% of the time I solve my problem as I'm thinking of how to describe it anyway!
KYA
24 March 2010 - 12:42 PM
@eker676 I think a post on debugging is certainly warranted. It's definitely in second place.
@scalt Yup! Rubber ducky, you're the one!
@scalt Yup! Rubber ducky, you're the one!
elgose
24 March 2010 - 03:41 PM
Too bad we can't give rep for a blog post.
I wonder how much it would help students to be taught research techniques in a beginner programming class. While redundant for those who already know how to do it, it's gotta be worth something for all those that just don't.
Very good post!
I wonder how much it would help students to be taught research techniques in a beginner programming class. While redundant for those who already know how to do it, it's gotta be worth something for all those that just don't.
Very good post!
KYA
24 March 2010 - 04:30 PM
I had a class in college called Information Literacy Research Methods; the whole goal of which was to get people to do this.
Redundant for me to an extent, but alas it was a graduation requirement.
Redundant for me to an extent, but alas it was a graduation requirement.
W3bDev
25 March 2010 - 01:32 PM
KYa, I had to take a similar class, one of the first classes mandatory to take, and basically trained the students on proper searching techniques. Unfortunately some searching you have to be pretty creative in your search techniques, especially in web development... I often run into the problem of debugging an err, and my results are ultimately tons of website who are outputting this error on their webpage lol.
I think there is a huge difference in somone giving some background and a greater explanation, verses, "how do i do this", and if they have posted before.
Bad Signs:
-New User
-Single Line Question
-Vague question
-Easily Googable
I think there is a huge difference in somone giving some background and a greater explanation, verses, "how do i do this", and if they have posted before.
Bad Signs:
-New User
-Single Line Question
-Vague question
-Easily Googable
coden4fun
25 March 2010 - 02:54 PM
Applying what you do know to search for what you do not know, and then applying that to understand things, which you do not know is the most valuable thing you can possess.
I shorten this as always being passionately curious, and working toward things, which you are ignorant of is your greatest possession.
I shorten this as always being passionately curious, and working toward things, which you are ignorant of is your greatest possession.
Shane Hudson
25 April 2010 - 01:15 PM
This is so true.
I was asked to help a fellow student the other day and he asked me a variety of questions. Many of them I knew the answers to, but any that took me more than a few seconds of testing different methods etc. I just googled and got the answer straight away. I do it for anything that I struggle with... many people do not seem to understand the verb "Google"!
I was asked to help a fellow student the other day and he asked me a variety of questions. Many of them I knew the answers to, but any that took me more than a few seconds of testing different methods etc. I just googled and got the answer straight away. I do it for anything that I struggle with... many people do not seem to understand the verb "Google"!
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