DaWei

As you're all aware, there are a number of questions that tend to recur in some forums. What is a good (free) compiler? What is a good book for studying <fill in the blank>? Why does my scanf fail? How do I convert to <this> or <that>? I suggest that we make forum-specific FAQs to cover these kinds of questions. Plenty of posters will still post the questions, not having thought to read the FAQs (or search) first, but the answer can be a simple reference via link, rather than an oft-repeated, long-winded response. The thread could be in the FAQ area with a sticky link in the appropriate forum.

I can get a good outline for such a thing by merely stealing one made up by Scorpions4ever. I don't think he'll mind, as it's already been stolen from him and attributed to another.

The material in the FAQ obviously cannot be a comprehensive treatment. It would then be a tutorial, and not a FAQ. It should, though, be technically solid and accurate. None of this, "Well, I'm not sure, but it might work" stuff. To that end, I suggest that potential additions be put in a new thread in the appropriate forum. Members may then shoot at it and make appropriate suggestions for accuracy, clarity, and improvement. If it shapes up and seems to be a likely candidate, a mod may then clip out the relevent part and add it to the FAQ. Believe it or not, the FAQ should be locked. I have seen numerous newbies post their question on the end of the FAQ rather than in a new thread in the forum.

Comments?

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Abstraction doesn't make it impossible to write bad code; it makes it possible to write superior code.
Contributor's Corner: Grumpy on C++ Exceptions DaWei on Pointers

stevengs

"NO WAY, I am the true author... yeah... that's it! In fact, I wrote.... er.. invented the idea of a FAQ. yeah yeah.. that's it."

"But I thought that other guy wrote it? I tried to ask him, but he has been permanently banned"

"SEE! Proof positive!!"


Great idea David. This forum is really taking off. When I signed up, it was easy to keep up with ALL posts in the hour or so of freetime I have each day. The number of threads and posts has dramatically increased, making this impossible. (which is great. It just means I have to pick and choose ).
With all the traffic, such a FAQ becomes a necessity. The expert members will then be able to commit more time to the really juicy brainteasers, and the rest of us will have a reference that we can rely on.

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Polyphemus_

a week ago i also was thinking of one.. i was too lazy to post the idea .

Ooble

Works for me. I'll try and contribute where I can.

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DaWei

I suggest this, or an appropriate modification thereof, as the foundational post for the various FAQ threads. Less frequently used forums need not have such a FAQ until traffic increases. Again, thanks to Scorpions4ever for the outline.
If this idea is accepted, I will post a few things (such as information regarding "f/s/scanf" and "gets") that are already present in the forums, cleaned up and ready for critical analysis by the members. For questions regarding compilers, learning materials, and so forth, I may ask you to make your suggestions one more time, rather than sift the forum for existing answers.

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Abstraction doesn't make it impossible to write bad code; it makes it possible to write superior code.
Contributor's Corner: Grumpy on C++ Exceptions DaWei on Pointers

big_k105

This sounds like a great idea. The only thing im wondering is, Where were you thinking these faqs would be stored? m thinking they can either go in the Faq.php page or in the tutorial forum with an extra forum called faqs

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BIG K aka Kyle
Programming Forums
Kyle K Online

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DaWei

I think either of those places would be perfectly reasonable. I do think there should be a sticky link in the individual forum, if such a thing is doable. I'm totally unfamiliar with BB software and the hacks and management thereof.

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Abstraction doesn't make it impossible to write bad code; it makes it possible to write superior code.
Contributor's Corner: Grumpy on C++ Exceptions DaWei on Pointers

big_k105

yeah, Im sure its quite possible

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BIG K aka Kyle
Programming Forums
Kyle K Online

Please do not PM or email me programming questions. Post them in the forums instead.

lostcauz

Excellent idea!

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