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Consider alternatively that this is a tiny piece in the much broader puzzle of what they are trying to accomplish, that they are aware both of their own beginne

Consider alternatively that this is a tiny piece in the much broader puzzle of what they are trying to accomplish, that they are aware both of their own beginner status but also that, in this case, good enough will be good enough, or that they don't have the time or inclination to switch to a real parser and that's why they didn't ask about it. Or maybe even that the goal here is to specifically learn to use regex to solve a real software problem that they have. It's all a matter of interpretation of context that we don't have. As an asker of questions on SO where people provide answers to questions I specifically intended to not ask, this pattern of reading deeply into context we don't have is actually kind of annoying. Unless you provide both the answer to the actual question and then some guidance on how you really should be doing something. Those answers are very, very helpful.

inopinatus 6y ago
These objections may seem relevant to your personal experience, but they don't pertain to the case at hand, for which ample context is available. Dealing with responses from people who've rushed to write something without bothering to properly consider the problem is, of course, internet 101, but such answers generally take the short road to content oblivion. For those answers of any quality, however, note this: if people are answering, for free, on their own time, questions that you don't think you asked, but they evidently do, then consider taking some personal responsibility for that outcome. Complaining about it would seem wholly entitled and ungrateful, and unconstructive besides. If they are well-meaning beginners, coach them: it's how the stone soup gets made.
- DangitBobby 6y ago
  I also both ask and respond to questions. Mostly respond. For free. On my own time. People who answer on SO are not a unique special breed in the sense that they are willing to help others with their problems. I have read your reading of the thread, gone through it myself with that in mind, and disagree wholeheartedly that you have meaningfully extrapolated the context you claim.
  - inopinatus 6y ago
    That much is quite evident. Perhaps we'll never know if Jeff's XML RSS feed was conforming or not, but I like to think they got there.

inopinatus 6y ago

These objections may seem relevant to your personal experience, but they don't pertain to the case at hand, for which ample context is available. Dealing with responses from people who've rushed to write something without bothering to properly consider the problem is, of course, internet 101, but such answers generally take the short road to content oblivion. For those answers of any quality, however, note this: if people are answering, for free, on their own time, questions that you don't think you asked, but they evidently do, then consider taking some personal responsibility for that outcome. Complaining about it would seem wholly entitled and ungrateful, and unconstructive besides. If they are well-meaning beginners, coach them: it's how the stone soup gets made.

DangitBobby 6y ago
I also both ask and respond to questions. Mostly respond. For free. On my own time. People who answer on SO are not a unique special breed in the sense that they are willing to help others with their problems. I have read your reading of the thread, gone through it myself with that in mind, and disagree wholeheartedly that you have meaningfully extrapolated the context you claim.
- inopinatus 6y ago
  That much is quite evident. Perhaps we'll never know if Jeff's XML RSS feed was conforming or not, but I like to think they got there.