Recently, a user has asked a question whose answer he pointed out in a comment. One of the moderators voiced his opinion that "[i]t is fine to post interesting material even if you know the answer. The conventional way to do so is to answer your own question with an (elaborate) take (instead of posting a links to some document, which may break)." Is this official policy? What do others think?
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asked Sep 30, 2012 at 17:14
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$\begingroup$ Yes, it is fine. Check the FAQ. Also see this. $\endgroup$– KavehCommented Sep 30, 2012 at 18:08
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1$\begingroup$ One point is that the OP should give other people a chance of answering the question. $\endgroup$– Dave ClarkeCommented Sep 30, 2012 at 19:52
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2$\begingroup$ @DaveClarke Not even that is true (anymore).. $\endgroup$– Raphael ModCommented Sep 30, 2012 at 21:51
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2$\begingroup$ @DaveClarke Anyone can answer any non-closed question, regardless of whether the asker has answered it. If you meant that the asker should wait to post his answer, then no, this is impolite: it would mean that others might have to redo the asker's work. This is now officially promoted via a user interface feature that lets you post your answer at the same time as the question. $\endgroup$– Gilles 'SO- stop being evil' ModCommented Sep 30, 2012 at 21:59
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1$\begingroup$ Strange, I must say. Will I play ball? Yes, I will. (See what I did there?) $\endgroup$– Dave ClarkeCommented Oct 1, 2012 at 5:28
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$\begingroup$ see also policy on stocking beta with easy questions $\endgroup$– vznCommented Oct 1, 2012 at 16:30
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1$\begingroup$ @vzn That phase is long past, and even then we concluded not to do overly easy questions on purpose. So I'm not sure how that discussion is relevant to this one. ("knowing the answer" != "easy") $\endgroup$– Raphael ModCommented Oct 8, 2012 at 11:04
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1$\begingroup$ I'm wondering if this approach (posting question and answering) is a good way to handle the "check-my-proof" style questions. This way instead of posting a question and partial (or full) solution in the questions. The user may post the question and attempt separately. $\endgroup$– Nicholas MancusoCommented Oct 11, 2012 at 0:06
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$\begingroup$ @Nicholas, I think that is a very good idea. I suggest that you post it as a new meta-discussion. $\endgroup$– KavehCommented Oct 21, 2012 at 18:52
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1 Answer
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It is official policy (as stated in the FAQ of every Stack Exchange site) that
It’s also OK to ask and answer your own question.
If you've done some research, thinking or experimentation to solve a problem, and there is a Stack Exchange site where you could have formulated your problem as a question, then you're encouraged to ask the question, and contribute your work in the form of an answer. This allows everyone to benefit from your work. It may also allow you to receive better or complementary answers. Everybody wins.
answered Sep 30, 2012 at 20:06
Gilles 'SO- stop being evil'ModGilles 'SO- stop being evil'
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2$\begingroup$ For reference, the latest SE blog post on the topic, clearly encouraging to post your answer immediately. $\endgroup$– Raphael ModCommented Sep 30, 2012 at 21:51