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  4. Doesn't "should" mean it's not required?

Doesn't "should" mean it's not required?

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved The Weird and The Wonderful
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  • P PIEBALDconsult

    Quote:

    Your password should contain at least 6 characters

    If you're going to require it; don't say "should", say "must". :mad:

    L Offline
    L Offline
    Lost User
    wrote on last edited by
    #9

    If it says "should" then it is not optional, like in "could". You should be "this tall" to ride this ride.

    Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)

    Richard DeemingR J 2 Replies Last reply
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    • P PIEBALDconsult

      Quote:

      Your password should contain at least 6 characters

      If you're going to require it; don't say "should", say "must". :mad:

      A Offline
      A Offline
      Amarnath S
      wrote on last edited by
      #10

      When I was in MoSCoW[^], they said: Must: Absolutely necessary, Should: Important but not necessary, Could: Desirable but not necessary, Won't: Not appropriate for now.

      1 Reply Last reply
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      • P PIEBALDconsult

        Quote:

        Your password should contain at least 6 characters

        If you're going to require it; don't say "should", say "must". :mad:

        D Offline
        D Offline
        Daniel Pfeffer
        wrote on last edited by
        #11

        When writing specifications, the customary usage is: MUST: mandatory SHOULD: highly recommended, but not mandatory MAY: optional SHOULD NOT: highly discouraged, but not prohibited MUST NOT: prohibited When speaking to non-engineers, "should" is often taken to mean "must".

        If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack. --Winston Churchill

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        • L Lost User

          If it says "should" then it is not optional, like in "could". You should be "this tall" to ride this ride.

          Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)

          Richard DeemingR Offline
          Richard DeemingR Offline
          Richard Deeming
          wrote on last edited by
          #12

          Eddy Vluggen wrote:

          You should be "this tall" to ride this ride.

          In English, that's almost always written as "You must be ..." to avoid precisely this problem. ;P

          should - Wiktionary[^]:

          Inicates that ... the speaker has some strong advice but has no authority to enforce it.

          must - Wiktionary[^]:

          Indicates that the sentence subject is required as an imperative or directive to execute the sentence predicate.

          RFC 2119 - Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate Requirement Levels[^]:

          MUST This word, or the terms "REQUIRED" or "SHALL", mean that the definition is an absolute requirement of the specification. SHOULD This word, or the adjective "RECOMMENDED", mean that there may exist valid reasons in particular circumstances to ignore a particular item, but the full implications must be understood and carefully weighed before choosing a different course.


          "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer

          "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined" - Homer

          L 1 Reply Last reply
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          • Richard DeemingR Richard Deeming

            Eddy Vluggen wrote:

            You should be "this tall" to ride this ride.

            In English, that's almost always written as "You must be ..." to avoid precisely this problem. ;P

            should - Wiktionary[^]:

            Inicates that ... the speaker has some strong advice but has no authority to enforce it.

            must - Wiktionary[^]:

            Indicates that the sentence subject is required as an imperative or directive to execute the sentence predicate.

            RFC 2119 - Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate Requirement Levels[^]:

            MUST This word, or the terms "REQUIRED" or "SHALL", mean that the definition is an absolute requirement of the specification. SHOULD This word, or the adjective "RECOMMENDED", mean that there may exist valid reasons in particular circumstances to ignore a particular item, but the full implications must be understood and carefully weighed before choosing a different course.


            "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer

            L Offline
            L Offline
            Lost User
            wrote on last edited by
            #13

            Richard Deeming wrote:

            In English, that's almost always written as "You must be ..." to avoid precisely this problem. ;-P

            It is probably not up for negotiation. Even if it says "you oughta be".

            Richard Deeming wrote:

            SHOULD This word, or the adjective "RECOMMENDED", mean that there may exist valid reasons in particular circumstances to ignore a particular item

            RFC or not, the word "must" will also have valid reasons to ignore a particular item. Unless we are talking about unsigned numbers, there are no absolutes. See the forum where code is "urgent" and "must" be finished by the next day. I should ignore those messages, must not redicule them. If I only could.. :rolleyes:

            Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)

            P 1 Reply Last reply
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            • L Lost User

              Richard Deeming wrote:

              In English, that's almost always written as "You must be ..." to avoid precisely this problem. ;-P

              It is probably not up for negotiation. Even if it says "you oughta be".

              Richard Deeming wrote:

              SHOULD This word, or the adjective "RECOMMENDED", mean that there may exist valid reasons in particular circumstances to ignore a particular item

              RFC or not, the word "must" will also have valid reasons to ignore a particular item. Unless we are talking about unsigned numbers, there are no absolutes. See the forum where code is "urgent" and "must" be finished by the next day. I should ignore those messages, must not redicule them. If I only could.. :rolleyes:

              Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)

              P Offline
              P Offline
              PIEBALDconsult
              wrote on last edited by
              #14

              No assigngment must be finished.

              L W 2 Replies Last reply
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              • P PIEBALDconsult

                Quote:

                Your password should contain at least 6 characters

                If you're going to require it; don't say "should", say "must". :mad:

                U Offline
                U Offline
                User 11846885
                wrote on last edited by
                #15

                Insanity notwithstanding ... * Should should be reserved for project stretch targets. * Must must be used only in brewing. * Shall, shall be used in the case of compulsory requirements. * Will will only be used in the case of death

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                • P PIEBALDconsult

                  No assigngment must be finished.

                  L Offline
                  L Offline
                  Lost User
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #16

                  You're right :) I must have made that mistake before :D

                  Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)

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                  • W WiganLatics

                    Your password should contain at least 6 characters, otherwise it won't be accepted. However, you CAN type a shorter password, it's just that it'll be rejected. ;P

                    R Offline
                    R Offline
                    Rio Rico Rick
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #17

                    From the requirements document: "The password entered by the user should be rejected if it does not contain at least six characters." If I received that requirement from my boss, I would make darn sure that the password is rejected. I don't think I would randomly reject some and not others. How about "You shouldn't break the speed limit"? Now, if you were being chased by a tyrannosaurus rex, I think the judge would (should?) let you off the hook.

                    hatfok King Yiddum's Castle Pegasus Galaxy

                    W 1 Reply Last reply
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                    • P PIEBALDconsult

                      Quote:

                      Your password should contain at least 6 characters

                      If you're going to require it; don't say "should", say "must". :mad:

                      M Offline
                      M Offline
                      MikeTheFid
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #18

                      SHame + cOULD = SHOULD Could says there is a choice to be made and is an element of should. Shame on those who don't follow the implied directive is an element of should. Should is one of the most stress-inducing words in the English lexicon and absolutely... ...ought not be used in message boxes, forms or web pages. IMNSHO :)

                      Cheers, Mike Fidler "I intend to live forever - so far, so good." Steven Wright "I almost had a psychic girlfriend but she left me before we met." Also Steven Wright "I'm addicted to placebos. I could quit, but it wouldn't matter." Steven Wright yet again.

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                      • R Rio Rico Rick

                        From the requirements document: "The password entered by the user should be rejected if it does not contain at least six characters." If I received that requirement from my boss, I would make darn sure that the password is rejected. I don't think I would randomly reject some and not others. How about "You shouldn't break the speed limit"? Now, if you were being chased by a tyrannosaurus rex, I think the judge would (should?) let you off the hook.

                        hatfok King Yiddum's Castle Pegasus Galaxy

                        W Offline
                        W Offline
                        WiganLatics
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #19

                        If I receive a requirement document from the boss, I just do what I want. It usually has an "optional requirements" section...

                        R 1 Reply Last reply
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                        • P PIEBALDconsult

                          Quote:

                          Your password should contain at least 6 characters

                          If you're going to require it; don't say "should", say "must". :mad:

                          B Offline
                          B Offline
                          BrainiacV
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #20

                          I think it is just local interpretation. I used to work with a guy who thought if a sentence contained the word "are" that it was then a question. "Are you going to do that?" "Where are you?" He didn't have an audible response when I said. "You are out of your mind." So maybe in the writer's local culture, saying "should" implied "have to".

                          Psychosis at 10 Film at 11 Those who do not remember the past, are doomed to repeat it. Those who do not remember the past, cannot build upon it.

                          1 Reply Last reply
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                          • P PIEBALDconsult

                            Quote:

                            Your password should contain at least 6 characters

                            If you're going to require it; don't say "should", say "must". :mad:

                            L Offline
                            L Offline
                            Lost User
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #21

                            The software is being polite; it's anticipating users who do not like being told what to do.

                            1 Reply Last reply
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                            • W WiganLatics

                              If I receive a requirement document from the boss, I just do what I want. It usually has an "optional requirements" section...

                              R Offline
                              R Offline
                              Rio Rico Rick
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #22

                              Well then, what exactly do you do when they are not in the "optional" section? Please enlighten us! I'll check, but I'm sure I did not mention optional requirements.

                              hatfok King Yiddum's Castle Pegasus Galaxy

                              W 1 Reply Last reply
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                              • R Rio Rico Rick

                                Well then, what exactly do you do when they are not in the "optional" section? Please enlighten us! I'll check, but I'm sure I did not mention optional requirements.

                                hatfok King Yiddum's Castle Pegasus Galaxy

                                W Offline
                                W Offline
                                WiganLatics
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #23

                                Do I need to buy a sarcasm sign?

                                R R 2 Replies Last reply
                                0
                                • W WiganLatics

                                  Do I need to buy a sarcasm sign?

                                  R Offline
                                  R Offline
                                  Rio Rico Rick
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #24

                                  No, but if you do, would you pick one up for me as well? :)

                                  hatfok King Yiddum's Castle Pegasus Galaxy

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                                  • P PIEBALDconsult

                                    Quote:

                                    Your password should contain at least 6 characters

                                    If you're going to require it; don't say "should", say "must". :mad:

                                    S Offline
                                    S Offline
                                    SeattleC
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #25

                                    As used in many standards documents, "should" means, "This is a best practice. You're an idiot if you don't." It is the concensus advice of the standard-writers who are usually very experienced people. It is the behavior of a very junior, very unimformed person not to treat "should" advice in a standards document as "do it". But hey, knock yourself out, do a half-assed job. That's the way to impress your boss and your customers. I think there are people who are still rebelling against "should" advice in standards documents because they hated hearing their mom tell them what they "should" do. Chances are mom was right too.

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                                    • P PIEBALDconsult

                                      No assigngment must be finished.

                                      W Offline
                                      W Offline
                                      WiganLatics
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #26

                                      It must be finished as a prerequisite for getting top marks. But if you don't desire top marks then it needn't be finished.

                                      1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • P PIEBALDconsult

                                        Quote:

                                        Your password should contain at least 6 characters

                                        If you're going to require it; don't say "should", say "must". :mad:

                                        K Offline
                                        K Offline
                                        kalberts
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #27

                                        Quote:

                                        Your password should contain at least 6 characters

                                        Isn't that another way of stating: "Penis" is too short ?

                                        P 1 Reply Last reply
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                                        • K kalberts

                                          Quote:

                                          Your password should contain at least 6 characters

                                          Isn't that another way of stating: "Penis" is too short ?

                                          P Offline
                                          P Offline
                                          PIEBALDconsult
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #28

                                          I would then expect the validator to say, "Is it in yet?".

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