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Re:Friction Between Programming Professionals and Beginners by khedoros on Wednesday February 10, 2016 @01:59PM (#11075077)
I think that's where the need for balance comes in. Lead them to how to find the answer, and provide guidance on how to interpret it...but if they want to be spoon-fed, tell them to go somewhere else.

I start out by showing them how to describe their problem in a way that's easily understood by a more experienced programmer. Next would be to tell them some search terms likely to answer their question. If they're still stuck, ask which part is the most confusing and work through that a bit at a time.

Of course...this all can get very frustrating. After answering the same questions a dozen times, I often let someone else answer.

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