I realize I wasn’t clear at all, and I apologize for sounding like I was bashing all developers. I really should have specified that I was being critical of a certain type of developer, specifically the sort that uses the question, “Why would you need it to do that?” in an attempt to deflect questions about nonfunctional programs or poor design.
Most of the time “Why would you need it to do that?” is a perfectly understandable question, because what’s being asked for is something outside the program’s intended use, or something the developer simply wasn’t aware of because its need wasn’t made clear to them. And there have been times when I’ve started explaining the need only to realize that what I’m describing isn’t that important, or that there are other ways to do it within the existing program, and I feel guilty for wasting the developer’s time.
But when I say, “The ‘Reply’ function won’t allow me to reply” and I get, “Why would you need it to do that?” it’s frustrating. Especially when I take the time to explain, as politely and articulately as possible, why it’s needed, and what I get back is, “Okay, but why would you need it to do that?” Or, worse, “No one else has reported this problem”, which is especially frustrating when the person sitting next to me has also reported it.
Obviously it’s just like every other profession: there are a lot of great, hardworking people in it, and some who really should be doing something else.
