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I about lost my mind with a co-worker today.
The analyst wanted help fixing a report. In the process of evaluating the situation it became clear that the 'Post Date' in the report is being used two different ways. In once case it is the date the transaction is entered into the bank's system and in other cases it is the date the transaction was entered into our system. Whether you caught that or not, the important point is that the same field is being used in two related, yet ultimately different ways.
As you have undoubtedly guessed, the report is based on the 'Posted Date'.
Even the dullest among us can understand why it would be challenging to get a monthly report to balance.
Regardless, I couldn't get the analyst to understand how this design flaw is going to cause nothing but endless grief for years to come. I ended up just throwing a couple of ideas on the table and gave up after that.
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Oooh, That'll be fun to track down in a few years time!
I think he's planning job security: obscure, intermittent faults that he already knows will happen but will take ages to fix when they are discovered!
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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Yes, exactly, security of employment above all 
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who separate humankind in two distinct categories, and those who don't.
"I have two hobbies: breasts." DSK
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MehGerbil wrote: Regardless, I couldn't get the analyst to understand how this design flaw is going to cause nothing but endless grief for years to come
Can't spell "analyst" without "anal".
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Right after lunch the analyst approached me with a spectacularly bad idea to fix the current report problem. The plan to fix it was laid out before me and I just nodded and smiled. When asked, "Is this how you'd fix it?" I answered that she should just do what she felt was right.
I'm not wasting my time with this anymore.
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MehGerbil wrote: I'm not wasting my time with this anymore.
You busy with other stuff? If not, then it might be a good investment to invest some time. Most people aren't crazy enough to try again after being dismissed.
Bastard Programmer from Hell 
If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^]
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You're correct.
If I let this go unchecked it will create a mountain of work.
I pushed her out a 3rd story window.
As it turns out, Windows is truly an enterprise level solution provider.
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That was a really bad move.
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I understand why someone would say that; however, I've already explained the correct solution clearly several times. It isn't that I'm unwilling to help, but rather, the person is unwilling to receive help. The last conversation was just a person wanting a senior developer to say that a really bad solution was a good idea, hence my non-committal response.
If I were the manager this person wouldn't be working in software development.
I cannot make that call - however, I can refuse to waste time arguing with someone who is going to ignore me.
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But the only thing they're going to hear and remember is "MG can't be bothered."
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Oh yeah, well, it isn't a blanket denial of help.
I'm withdrawing on this one issue (and any offspring).
I helped with a SQL problem just this afternoon.
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MehGerbil wrote: When asked, "Is this how you'd fix it?" I answered that she should just do what she felt was right.
I'm with Mike on this one, you should NEVER let an analyst get away with a crap design. You should absolutely jumped down her throat when she asked you opinion, she now has your implied agreement. When the sh*t hits the fan you are going to hear - "I took it to MG and he did not object"
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
RAH
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Mycroft Holmes wrote: When the sh*t hits the fan you are going to hear - "I took it to MG and he did not object said the solution was good."
FTFY 
Once you lose your pride the rest is easy.
I would agree with you but then we both would be wrong.
The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am.
JimmyRopes
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MehGerbil wrote: analyst approached me with a spectacularly bad idea to fix the current report problem ... When asked, "Is this how you'd fix it?" I answered that she should just do what she felt was right.
You do realize that when the thing fails she will say that she talked with you and you liked her solution.
Once you lose your pride the rest is easy.
I would agree with you but then we both would be wrong.
The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am.
JimmyRopes
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Against my will I now have a copy of the Sun which was delivered to my house, and it appears the whole Country got one.
So did you get yours?
And what should I do with mine? Best answer will be acted on.
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Post it back to FREEPOST, The Sun, London E98 1AX - every copy sent back costs them money!
"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."
- Homer
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I think i'll send it back page by page then.
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You might want to hang on to page 3. 
Will Rogers never met me.
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I hear there wasn't one in that issue. Well, there was a third page, but not a page 3.
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All the more reason to send it back.
Will Rogers never met me.
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Wrap each page around a copy of the Argos catalogue.
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Wrapped around a brick to help stabilise the package in the parcel sorting office.
“That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”
― Christopher Hitchens
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I was on a lads holiday when I was younger and we ran out of loo roll, too hung over to get our ass's down the shops to buy some more we used old copies of The Sun.
Worked very well.
"Benjamin is nobody's friend. If Benjamin were an ice cream flavor, he'd be pralines and dick." ~ Garth Algar
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." ~ Paul Neal "Red" Adair
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That makes one think of many things. Like what the normal loo roll was made out of. Or what the Sun was made out of.
And of course what "worked very well" means.
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The best thing to clean windows with is B&W section of newspaper.
If first you don't succeed, hide all evidence you ever tried!
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