deductive reasoning in solving your software development problems

Deductive reasoning involves working backward from a problem to discover its cause. This approach can be very effective, especially if employed early in the problem-solving process. Take the case of my friend, who told me how he woke up one morning, put in his contact lenses, and screamed in pain. He took them out, confused, and decided to wash them again in fresh solution. He put the contacts in again -- ouch! -- and out they came. Repeating this step four times, he finally stopped long enough for a little deductive reasoning. The result? He remembered cutting up jalapeno peppers for a dish the night before and realized his fingers must have absorbed the pepper juice, which then contaminated the soft and absorbent contact lenses when he removed them for the night. Solution? New lenses. Cost resulting from delayed deductive reasoning? Four rounds of jalapeno juice in the eyes.