On Fri, 12 Sep 2008 06:44:56 -0700,
je**********@gmail.com
<je**********@gmail.comwrote:
So, in other words, Pete, you don't know why my code doesn't run.
No, I don't. That's my point. If you don't post a complete code sample,
_no one_ can know why it doesn't run, unless they put extra effort in to
try to add enough code to get your code to run. Once they've done that,
they've necessarily got code that's different from yours, and there's no
guarantee that even if they can then reproduce a problem, it's the same
problem you see.
Since you didn't post a complete code sample, I had the option of either
trying to wrestle with your code to figure out exactly what you meant, or
to simply write my own code based on the text of your question. If all
goes well, the time commitment in either scenario is similar, but if not,
I could easily wind up spending more time with your code than just writing
it myself as I'd write it and still not come up with an answer.
It's an obvious choice: write the code oneself, and answer the question
that was asked. It's not my fault that your question made a false
assumption about the behavior you were seeing, and I don't see why you
seem to be taking me to task for answering the question you asked, rather
than the question you wish you'd asked.
[...]
Thankfully, my real question was answered without being asked
directly. Some times asking the right question is harder than finding
the answer.
Yes, you were fortunate that Jeroen was nice enough to do the extra work
you should have done yourself by converting your code sample into
something that could actually compile. You were also fortunate that
having done so, he was able to reproduce the same problem you found. You
should indeed be thankful.
The fact is, if a person asking a question cannot be bothered to do the
basic legwork to prepare a correct, complete question, that person should
have no expectation that anyone else will do that work for them. It's
great when it happens, but for you to have the attitude that anyone
responding to your question _must_ do that is arrogant.
You were lucky in this case, but it's worthwhile for you understand what
the problem here is with your post and especially your follow-ups. You
won't always be so lucky to have someone else willing to do your work for
you in the future and it will be good for you to understand the difference
between a complete code sample and an incomplete one.
Pete