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I am wondering about an approach(a manner of answering) which can be used when I possess several solutions to a single question. How shall I tackle it? Shall I put each solution as a new answer or it is better to keep them merged?

Here are several examples of mine:

Case 1. One answer with several nested answers
Question: Summing data from column in Attribute table
Number of solutions: Seven (7)

Case 2. Several separate answers
A Question: Creating point at line end using QGIS
Number of solutions: Three (3)

My logic behind: Simply saying in the Case 1, solutions are tiny and required roughly equal amount of efforts, therefore I decided to merge them. Albeit in the Case 2, I splitted answers because each required different efforts and each intended to solve a different purpose of the same task using alternative technology provided in QGIS.

Hopefully, I am thinking correct when I wanted to answer several times. Perhaps, there are some other better suggestions in handling several answers to a single question.

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    I like your logic (have used similar approach myself)! The only argument pro posting several answers I can think of are the one which allow voting to sort the best answer, but usually if there is one best approach among others in one answer, someone will leave a comment highlighting it. Posting several answers in one post is ok, but personally I don't like it (I feel I am spamming the site and my own metrics).
    – Andre Silva
    Aug 25, 2020 at 14:33
  • @AndreSilva Are you saying that you think multiple answers in a single answer to a question is OK generally and that you don’t think a user should post multiple answers as separate answers to the same question generally?
    – PolyGeo Mod
    Aug 30, 2020 at 0:22
  • @PolyGeo, “yes” to first question (both methods are accepted); “no” to the second one. It os ok to post multiple separate answers as pointed out in the answers so far. But personally I avoid doing so. Either because it is what Aaron said in his last paragraph or because what OP said in his case 1. Generally, if I know more than one answer, I post the one I think it is the best. Sporadically, I will post an answer and come up with a better solution later. In this case, I just update my answer because with less amount of pots I can keep better track of them.
    – Andre Silva
    Aug 30, 2020 at 3:15

2 Answers 2

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There is precedent on this topic on Meta Stack Exchange:

What is the official etiquette on answering a question twice?

The top voted answers indicate that multiple answers are perfectly acceptable and preferred. One of the strongest arguments for using multiple answers is that the top answer/s will be allowed to float to the top through the voting system.

I would add, however, that in some cases it would be preferable to include multiple answers in one post if you need to compare and contrast different approaches or methods.

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Post them as separate answers.

Why?

  • clearer to view
  • users can adress one specific of your solutions more easily (like putting a link to it somewhere else without having to tell which one they are referring to, or by commenting on it)
  • "better" solutions can be upvoted to the top (or vice versa)
  • you earn your deserved reputation for every single solution
  • more arguments to come..

Exception:

  • Your solutions are very similar or require a discussion between them

Contra:

  • Personally, I dont see a disadvantage of posting them separate. Neither I would ever think that someone doing so would spam.

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