Delete the "Close" feature (Especially for duplicates)

Question

Today when I was asking a question on Stack Overflow, after I posted the question, I went to the restroom. After I came back, guess what? My post was closed, because it was a duplicate.

At first, I was a bit upset, but then I realized that it was normal if they think it was a duplicate because I didn't provide information about the research I've done. After I edited it, this time I told them the research I've done, especially emphasizing the link they suggested me to take a look at (I've read that link before I made the post), but I still can't reopen it.

The reason I made this post today is not to reopen it. Instead, I want to discuss about the "close" feature in Stack Overflow. I was really confused about the question and I need an answer in order to continue with my exam. However, now I can't learn. Do duplicate questions really affect the quality of this site? I'm new to this site, but I've been using other SE sites for quite a long time, and I've seen many users not being able to learn just because they really don't understand the other posts and their questions are closed just because they are similar to other posts.

This is what I suggest: We should provide the link of similar posts, but don't close them.

What do you think about that?

Answer 1

Via the Help Center one arrives at Dr. Strangedupe: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying And Love Duplication. From which:

What we want is on the order of 4 or 5 similar-but-not-quite-the-same duplicates to cover all possible search terms and common permutations of the question. It is also OK for these duplicates to have their own answers so people who find them don’t have to click yet again to get to a good answer.

This, to me, is new.

I don't know about your exact question, but since I see only one linked topic, then generally speaking, if there is a subtle difference, just make it clearer in the body, and hopefully it gets reopened.

To your general request, closing as duplicate is important (same Help Center link):

The fundamental goal of closing duplicate questions is to help people find the right answer by getting all of those answers in one place.

Answer 2

I've done some research, including a post on Stack Overflow or other websites, but I need a more detailed explanation. For example, what's the difference between the double colon operator and lambdas? What are the pros and cons of it?

This is not convincing at all. Including research doesn't mean simply saying "I did some research". What aspect of your research did not answer your question? For example, "I've looked at :: (double colon) operator in Java 8, but the answers there aren't helpful in the way that [explanation as to why the answers were not helpful]. I have also looked at, for example, GeeksForGeeks, but [explanation as to why the website was not helpful]".

If your question has been closed as a duplicate, you should edit your question to explain why the linked question(s) did not answer your question. Again, this is not as simple as saying, "The linked question did not answer my question". You have to explain why.

Generally speaking, this is the case for every post closed as a duplicate; if you can explain why the linked duplicate(s) did not answer your question, the community can consider reopening your question (provided it is convincing).

As the Help center says:

If you see a question closed as a duplicate but don't agree that it truly is a duplicate, edit it to highlight the differences, then try to get it reopened by casting a reopen vote.

Regarding why questions are closed as duplicates:

The general rule is to keep the question with the best collection of answers, and close the other ones as duplicates [sic].

(From How should duplicate questions be handled?)

Let's take two questions, A and B.

If question A has 18 well-written answers and question B (which is not marked as a duplicate although it is a duplicate) has 1 answer that is essentially the same as an answer posted to question A, then question B's answer adds no value to the site. Here's a good example of this case:

• Question A: :: (double colon) operator in Java 8

• Question B: What is ' :: ' double colon in Java? When should I use it? [duplicate].

In another case, if question B has 1 answer that adds something new to the table, then question B's answer would be more valuable as an answer to question A than question B. Which is why there are two important mechanisms in place: closing questions as duplicates and merging answers; these are two quality control mechanisms that are much-needed on popular Q&A sites such as Stack Overflow.