Here's relatively simple algorithm to solve problems:
1) Understand problem.
2) Consider possible solutions.
3) Test if solutions work.
4) Apply the best solution.
All steps are important. If you skip a step then you are very unlikely to solve the problem.
Unfortunately most people can not consistently apply that algorithm when they try to solve hard problems.
For example, weak programmers are trying to find solution to a bug without getting clear understanding what the bug is.
They skip to the step 2 and start considering possible solutions to the bug. But they are not able to test if their solutions work, because they do not understand what was the bug is in the first place.
1) Understand problem.
2) Consider possible solutions.
3) Test if solutions work.
4) Apply the best solution.
All steps are important. If you skip a step then you are very unlikely to solve the problem.
Unfortunately most people can not consistently apply that algorithm when they try to solve hard problems.
For example, weak programmers are trying to find solution to a bug without getting clear understanding what the bug is.
They skip to the step 2 and start considering possible solutions to the bug. But they are not able to test if their solutions work, because they do not understand what was the bug is in the first place.
50 comments | Leave a comment