Workaround
A workaround is a bypass in their creation.
Typically they are considered brittle[7] in that they will not respond well to further pressure from a system beyond the original design. In implementing a workaround it is important to flag the change so as to later implement a proper solution.[8]
Placing pressure on a workaround may result in later system failures. For example, in
return value. When the library is changed, the workaround may break the overall program functionality, effectively becoming an anti-pattern
, since it may expect the older, wrong behaviour from the library.
Workarounds can also be a useful source of ideas for improvement of products or services.[9]
Legal workarounds
When the legal system places an obstacle in the form of a restriction or requirement, the law may provide a possible workaround. Laws intended to tap into what may seem to be deep pockets may lead to what are at least temporary solutions such as:
- Since "most French workplace laws affect businesses with 50 or more employees... many French companies opt to employ only 49 people in avoidance of crippling legislations."[10]
- An injunction against Microsoft regarding XML features and an easy technical workaround, a patent attorney suggested having two versions of MS Word, one with and one without the feature.[11]
Acronyms
Some well-known acronyms were created to work around bureaucratic or contracting restrictions:
- PDP - The term was used to describe a computer by another name, due to contracting complications for purchasing or leasing computers. The term PDP (Programmed Data Processor or Programmable Data Processor) was a workaround.[12][13][14][15] The name "PDP" intentionally avoids the use of the term "computer".[16][17] PDPs were aimed at a market that could not afford larger computers.
- UNIX increased,[18] new restrictions on maximum number of concurrent users and limitations on types of use[18][19]created a motivation for an alternative: a work-alike workaround. Among the better known ones are:
- Linux
- BSD
- System V
- PSAP. By contrast with hearing aids, the sale of which is more regulated[20][21] and more expensive,[22]a Personal Sound Amplification Product (PSAP) is lower in price albeit more limited in capability.
See also
- Bug
- Coping skill
- Design around, to design or invent an alternative to a patented invention that does not infringe the patent's claims
- Hack
- Jury rig
- Kludge
- Planned obsolescence
- Preventive maintenance
- Program temporary fix (PTF)
References
- ^ "Workaround/Bypass on 3900 length limit on formula field".
- doi:10.1016/j.procs.2019.11.114.)
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ^ "IT: a temporary method for dealing with a computer or software problem until a more permanent solution is found: One easy workaround is to ..."
- ^ "work around - Definition". Cambridge English Dictionary.
- ^ "It requires that social workers think 'outside the box' - outside their normal frames of ...
- ISBN 978-0754648383.
- ^ "Workaround [#1176558]". Drupal.org. 2 June 2011.
- ^ "How to Fix the 'A [?]' Autocorrect Bug in iOS 11 When Typing 'i'".
- ^ "Can't You Just Ask People?". TheAnthroGuys. Retrieved 2014-08-08.
- ISBN 978-1483595900.
- ^ "'Easy workaround' could solve Microsoft Word's legal woes, says expert". reuters.com. August 14, 2009.
- ^ Montgomery, H. E.; Uccellini, L. W. (October 1985). "VAS Demonstration" (PDF). nasa.gov.
- ^ "New Market Disruption: The DEC Programmable Data Processor". harvard.edu.
- ISBN 978-1483285627. "The term PDP is an acronym for Programmable Data Processor ... the series was introduced by their manufacturer, Digital Equipment Corporation ..."
- ^ "The History of Digital Equipment Corporation".
- )
- ISBN 978-1133607298.
- ^ a b "Old licenses and prices".
- ^ restricting " universities that wanted to use the system for their internal business (e.g. student registration) as distinct from teaching and research
- audiologistis required
- ^ Neil DiSarno (22 June 2014). "Pros and Cons of Inexpensive Hearing Aids Called PSAPs". Wall Street Journal.
- ^ Kochkin, Sergei, Ph.D. "MarkeTrak VIII: Utilization of PSAPs and Direct-Mail Hearing Aids by People with Hearing Impairment" (PDF).
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)