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It's been a while in Stack Overflow, and I have seen so many times that an actual answer was provided as a comment to the question. Later, I see a list of answers repeating the same thing.

Yes, I know, usually the comment is voted up, however, the poster who actually commented with the perfect answer, ethically waits for OP's reply. And then, what we see is a series of answers on the basis of the previous comments.

The poster providing the correct answer through comment, should be encouraged to post it as an answer when majority of us think so.

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    What exactly is your question here? That someone who chose to use a comment rather than an answer should not be surprised if someone else posts an actual answer and gets upvotes?
    – Martijn Pieters
    Commented Oct 29, 2014 at 16:34
  • @MartijnPieters <3 the irony of posting a comment as answer to this question. I'm kinda regretting posting an actual answer now.
    – Servy
    Commented Oct 29, 2014 at 16:37
  • @Servy: Hey, I made a choice to post a comment. Mostly because I am also asking for clarification, I suppose.
    – Martijn Pieters
    Commented Oct 29, 2014 at 16:41
  • The person commenting first rather than posting an answer, usually thinks twice and waits for OP's clarification.
    – Lalit Kumar B
    Commented Oct 29, 2014 at 16:47
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    When you think a comment should be an answer, then ask the commenter to post an answer. Just with a comment. Simple, low tech.
    – Martijn Pieters
    Commented Oct 29, 2014 at 16:52
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    I am just pressing the fact that we could suggest the commenter to post it as an answer. It never happened with me, just saying on behalf of them. To encourage you all to do so.
    – Lalit Kumar B
    Commented Oct 29, 2014 at 16:56
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    @LalitKumarB: What is the actual question here?
    – Werner
    Commented Oct 29, 2014 at 17:04
  • I expect you're getting downvotes because this issue has been discussed here many times and a cursory search would have led you to some of those discussions.
    – Fish Below the Ice
    Commented Oct 29, 2014 at 17:07
  • Please don't abuse backticks. Also "improvise the question"? Do you mean "improve"?
    – Fish Below the Ice
    Commented Oct 29, 2014 at 17:30
  • Google search didn't suffice Worked for me. Maybe you need to work on your Google Fu.
    – Fish Below the Ice
    Commented Oct 29, 2014 at 17:32
  • @the Ice, Google search results are NOT same across the different geographic locations. And there are many other factors,
    – Lalit Kumar B
    Commented Oct 29, 2014 at 17:56

1 Answer 1

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You shouldn't post an answer as a comment. Answers should be posted as answers.

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    Alternately, you're free to do so but don't be surprised if someone else does the work for you and gets the credit.
    – Shog9 Mod
    Commented Oct 29, 2014 at 16:36
  • Ok fine. So the person answering first with his own aim(perhaps to gain some points) is better than a technically sound person who waits for OP to clarify his requirements.
    – Lalit Kumar B
    Commented Oct 29, 2014 at 16:49
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    @LalitKumarB You very explicitly specified an answer posted as a comment. Not a clarifying question requiring a response.
    – Servy
    Commented Oct 29, 2014 at 16:52
  • Sorry folks, but I updated my question title. Do you all still think it to be absurd?
    – Lalit Kumar B
    Commented Oct 29, 2014 at 17:00
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    @LalitKumarB If they want to post their comment as an answer, they can. If they don't, they don't have to. It's entirely up to them. There is a built in incentive to post answers as answers in that answers can be voted on.
    – Servy
    Commented Oct 29, 2014 at 17:01
  • @Servy, et al. Please see my updated question title. I am sorry if I wasn't clear about it.
    – Lalit Kumar B
    Commented Oct 29, 2014 at 17:04

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