Solving Problems
It is a familiar and significant saying that a problem well-put is half-solved.
- John Dewey, American philosopher and psychologist
A problem well stated is a problem half solved.
- Charles Kettering, head of research at General Motors
Let's assume my problem is well stated. I now have a new problem - solving the remaining half. Following the same logic, that problem is also half solved.
Lather, rinse, repeat, and voilà. Infinite progress achieved. I'm going to bed.
Unless you make the classic mistake...
Some people, when confronted with a problem, think "I know, I'll use regular expressions." Now they have two problems.
Jamie Zawinski (aka jwz) (via)
Which neatly breaks the infinite-halving loop... and introduces exponential suffering.
(But if you really have to, use Grant Skinner's very useful RegExr tool.)