Beware of Question Authorities « H.Tonguç Yılmaz - Oracle Blog

Beware of Question Authorities

Following suggestions are from Mr.Lewis Blog ;

1. If it’s not dated - don’t assume it’s true*
   
2. If its date is more than about 18 months old - don’t assume it’s (still) true*
   
3. If there’s no version number - don’t assume it’s true*
   
4. If it’s not your exact version number - don’t assume it’s (still) true
5. For ‘technical implementation’ details, if there’s no platform mentioned - don’t assume it’s true
6. For ‘technical implementation’ details, if the platform’s not the same as yours - don’t assume it’s true
7. If there’s no rational justification supplied, and no repeatable test case - don’t assume it’s true.

And even when all the details are perfect and there is a repeatable test case - and even after the repeatable test case produces the same results - ask yourself this question

• Could there be a different explanation for the same set of results - and if so, how badly could this advice damage my system, and how hard would it be to test my alternative hypothesis ?

Once you’ve got through that lot - then you might be safe trying the advice on a development system.

Mr.Kyte also mentions this problem under the ‘Question Authority.’ terminology;

There are lots of ‘experts’ out there;

• Make them prove everything
• Statements that should raise your eyebrows:

•     It is my opinion…
•     I claim…
•     I think…
•     I feel…

• Everything can (and should) be proven - TKPROF goes a long way hereStatspack is great‘Runstats’ is a tool I use as well (search asktom for runstats)

• Things change, expect that

Remember a test becomes a proof when;

• it has a specification- the results are reproducible
• alternative explanations have been eliminated
• it is published- it survives peer-group review

Reference
“The Burden of Proof” presentation by Jonathan LewisDon’t take any “guru’s” word, test it and make sure you are convinced of the results..

Beware of Question Authorities « H.Tonguç Yılmaz - Oracle Blog

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