Finding what is wrong.
HOW TO ASK
Paste the code, the error, and what you expected to happen.
"Here is the code and the error. What are the likely causes, and how would I distinguish between them?"
THAT SECOND PART MATTERS
A list of possible causes is less useful than knowing how to narrow them down.
WHAT TO SUPPLY
The exact error message What you changed recently What you have already tried The relevant code, not the whole file
WHAT IT DOES WELL
Common errors Syntax problems Obvious logic errors Explaining what an error means
WHAT IT DOES BADLY
Problems requiring knowledge of your whole system Intermittent failures Anything environment-specific
WHAT TO BE CAREFUL WITH
Confident suggestions that do not apply to your situation.
Test before believing.
FOR PRODUCTION PROBLEMS
Diagnose first. Do not run suggested fixes on a live system without understanding them.
