Ask HN: How to ask in StackOverflow and get answers?

#1

Post by bartcobain » Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 6:47 PM UTC

I always write questions based in the "How-To" displayed always that you are about to make a question but most of the questions doesn't pass the guidelines for asking a question. What suggestions do you have for asking in Stack Overflow?

Re: Ask HN: How to ask in StackOverflow and get answers?

#2

Post by qnsi » Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 6:50 PM UTC

First you should ask how to ask HN to get good answers, as I am afraid this post will be ignored

Re: Ask HN: How to ask in StackOverflow and get answers?

#3

Post by admay » Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 6:52 PM UTC

http://www.catb.org/esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Re: Ask HN: How to ask in StackOverflow and get answers?

#4

Post by DanBC » Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 6:57 PM UTC

Some bits of StackOverflow are pathologically awful.

If you gave an example question here people might be able to tell you how to ask it to get useful answers.

Re: Ask HN: How to ask in StackOverflow and get answers?

#5

Post by mindcrime » Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 7:27 PM UTC

Most of the information anyone needs on asking good questions is in the link that @admay posted. I'll just add/reiterate:

1. Show some effort. Don't ask people to "do your homework" so to speak. Explain what you already did / tried, what your current working theory is, etc.

2. Include relevant details. More is usually better, although you don't necessarily want to write a novel.