I was running a batch file (a script containing a series of command line commands) and it was randomly closing without displaying any errors. A developer, Lee had recently made changes to this script. I had posted a message to state the problems I was having, and he messages me. The exchange roughly went like this:
Lee: “I can help, share your screen”
Me: “You will just see it close though; there’s no errors”
Lee: “No, just share, we will make it work. I just need 5 minutes”
Me: “Oh, do you have an idea of why it isn’t working then?”
Lee: “No, I need to see what you are doing first”
Me: “I’m running the batch file, and it closes, that is all you will see”
Not sure why he claimed it would only take 5 minutes. How did he pluck that estimate out of the air? After he would see it close, he was only going to get me to try all different workarounds. That is going to take way more time than 5 minutes.
There was a simple workaround that would allow me to get on with my work: simply revert his changes and carry on.
I reverted his changes, and carried on with my assigned work. After I finished my work, I did go back and work out what was causing it. I shared my findings with Lee, who made some changes and asked me to try it out. It didn’t work.
did have to try several different variations of the script to help him come up with the proper solution. This back-and-forth ended up taking around an hour or so.
I definitely didn’t have time to do that when he contacted me and claimed he would just need 5 mins. I’m glad I used my intuition.
Stranger Coding Tings 