How To Ask Questions the "Smart" Way

1. Where can I learn about programming in PHP?

   • Fail: Does not use "meaningful, specific subject headers"
     • Not specific. What skill level are you? What version of PHP are you wanting to learn? What kind of resources are you looking for (how do you prefer to learn?)
   • Alternative: "Recommendations for Beginner-Level PHP5 Books, Sites, and other Resources. What would you recommend?"
     • While slightly more specific, this still fails to illustrate that you've done your due diligence by Googling for resources on your own, checking the forum, etc (Fails to show that you've tried the "Before You ask" steps 1-7).

2. My PHP script won't run correctly. What's wrong with it?

   • Fail: Does not use "meaningful, specific subject headers"
     • Not specific. What script are you having trouble with? What's the error?
   • Alternative:PHP5 Error: "print(Date("1 F d, Y"));" script displaying (insert issue/error here).
     • Asking "What's wrong with it" wastes space. The fact that you're looking for help is implied.
     • Providing the actual script code helps you keep your question specific
     • Providing the PHP version (PHP5) can help in case the issue is specific to a particular version of PHP

3. How do you use PHP's format function?

   • Fail: Does not use "meaningful, specific subject headers"
     • Not specific. Which format function? date() format function? number_format() function? Etc.
   • Alternative:There really isn't a good alternative to this question because the question is something so easy to Google or find information about elsewhere. If you ask a question that is this generic you'll be lucky to get an answer.