How To Ask Smart Questions

Although this article is particularly about asking hackers there are some universally relevant pearls here that are ring particularly true today:

http://catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

It's easiest to go for the quick fix when it comes to information gathering. It's apparent in the alarming number of people who's primary news source is social media, and it's highlighted nicely in this article about how Google Maps is making us dumber:

https://www.vocativ.com/418342/google-maps-gps-navigation/index.html

In particular, it's about exercising the gray cells to uncover the desired knowledge. This list of steps from the first article above is by no means exhaustive:

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Before You Ask

Before asking a technical question by e-mail, or in a newsgroup, or on a website chat board, do the following:

1. Try to find an answer by searching the archives of the forum or mailing list you plan to post to.
2. Try to find an answer by searching the Web.
3. Try to find an answer by reading the manual.
4. Try to find an answer by reading a FAQ.
5. Try to find an answer by inspection or experimentation.
6. Try to find an answer by asking a skilled friend.
7. If you're a programmer, try to find an answer by reading the source code.

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Of course, sometimes speed is critical. But a little forethought and investigation will help make your question easier and faster to answer.

And since I see the world through TDI-colored specs, I going to add that

• You include 'java' to any searches involving TDI research and troubleshooting (step 2)
• The AL Debugger is a great tool for step 5
• The TDI user forum is where many of your skilled friends can be found* :)

*Link here: www.tdi-users.org

SDI/TDI as a Windows Service

NOTE: You must remember to copy the ibmdiservice.exe and ibmdiservice.props files from the <InstallDir>\win32_service folder to your Solution Directory (soldir) before you run the service installer.

It is a common mistake to run the service installer from the wrong folder - i.e. not your soldir. Often this is done from <InstallDir>\win32_service where the .exe and .props files are found.

And if you don't know what the soldir means to an SDI/TDI Server, please have a look here: https://ibm.biz/BdjiM6 for this and much more Integrator Know-how you should know.

Note also that you can fire up the Config Editor (CE), ensure the 'Default' Server document points to the same port, install folder and solution directory, and monitor and operate the running server.