How To Ask Questions On Java Ranch (Wiki forum at Coderanch) (original) (raw)
Asking questions effectively is an art. Everytime you don't get satisfying answers to your questions, you should first ask yourself whether you could improve the way you asked them.
- AvoidRedHerrings
- BeForthrightWhenCrossPostingToOtherSites
- CarefullyChooseOneForum
- DoYourOwnHomework
- EaseUp
- FixAllCompilerErrorsBeforeRunningTheApplication
- HowToCopyEnvironmentVariables
- IsolateTheProblem
- ItDoesntWorkIsUseless
- KeepItDown
- NoNeedToSaySorry
- NotACodeMill
- PatienceIsAVirtue
- PostRealCode
- PostTextNotScreenshots
- QuoteYourSources
- RespectYourCoranchersPrivacy
- SayThanks
- SearchFirst
- SearchingForSolutionsHasRepercussions
- ShowSomeEffort
- TellTheDetails
- UseAMeaningfulSubjectLine
- UseCodeTags (and DontWriteLongLines)
- UseOneThreadPerQuestion
- UseRealWords
- UseTheForumNotEmail
- YourRanchSignature
The flipside of asking questions, of course, is answering them. Here are some things to keep in mind when posting answers: HowToAnswerQuestionsOnJavaRanch
Other resources:
- http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html has a lot of tips similar to the above, with elaborate explanations.
Note: Do not send Java questions to the authors of these documents! If you do, they will flame you and you will deserve it.