📅 Last updated: September 20, 2025
☕ Welcome to The Coder Cafe! Today, let’s discuss a common communication issue known as the XY problem and how to avoid it. Get cozy, grab a coffee, and let’s begin!
The XY problem is a common communication pitfall where someone is asking about an attempted solution (Y) instead of the actual problem they’re trying to solve (X).
Here’s how it typically plays out:
We face a problem
X.We don’t know how to solve
X, so we’re trying to get a working solutionY.Ydoesn’t work, so we’re asking for help withY.Helpers focus on
Y, but becauseYmight not make sense or isn’t the right approach, they struggle to help.After many back-and-forths, helpers realize the real problem is
X, andYwasn’t a suitable solution.
The issue with the XY problem isn’t that we’re trying to solve X with Y. Instead, the issue arises when we ask about Y without including the context of X. The XY problem can lead to wasted time and effort trying to address a secondary problem and even frustration for the helpers.
Here’s an example of a less helpful way to ask for help:
I’m facing an issue with a regexp:
`^[^@]+@[^@]+\.[^@`. For some reason, my system reports a parsing error. ← YCan you please help me out?
A better version includes the context of the original problem:
I’m facing an issue with a regexp: `
^[^@]+@[^@]+\.[^@`. For some reason, my system reports a parsing error. ← YFor context, I’m trying to validate customer email addresses using a regex. ← X
Can you please help me out?
By sharing the context X, perhaps the helper might suggest a better solution, such as using an existing email validation function, which could save time and effort on both ends. Or maybe the regex approach was valid; in this case, adding the context is also more helpful.
To prevent the XY problem:
Asker: Always include the context of what you’re trying to solve, not just the immediate issue.
Helper: If context is missing, gently guide the conversation to understand the surrounding context to provide more efficient help.
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💬 Have you ever faced the XY problem? Let us know in the comments.
I find myself asking about the context often, developed a bit of a spidey sense when someone comes up with a solution and I usually follow up with a "why are you trying to do this? What problem are you trying to solve". At times just pushing for some rubber ducking helps the other person a bunch.