It has a couple names, including Rubber duck debugging.

I force a co-worker to listen, preferably one not working on my project. Or my wife. Or my neighbour. Or whoever is nearby. Simply because they can ask questions. In almost all cases, when starting to explaining the problem did not help, the problem is a little detail that I did not explained well enough, simply because I did not understand it well enough, or because I misread that detail.

Another trick that really helps me is to stop working on the problem. Lock the computer, leave the room or even the building. Take a short walk (5 min). Think about something completely different. Go through your shopping list, watch the stupid dog next door freaking out, or use the restroom. Whatever helps to get your brain out of "job mode" and to get some unrelated input. Go back to the computer and rethink your problem.

Alexander

--
Today I will gladly share my knowledge and experience, for there are no sweeter words than "I told you so". ;-)

In reply to Re^3: Is there an is_deeply() outside of Test::More? by afoken
in thread Is there an is_deeply() outside of Test::More? by stevieb

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