Question: An API design is actually a programming question, but it can't be answered like "replace `=` by `==` on line 10". Moreover, the asking person has some idea how it should look like and has to start with presenting the idea, otherwise the answers would explore many different directions and not fit together. Starting with such a presentation makes the question appear like no question at all, so it collects closing votes.

Maybe it's just a matter of how the question should be formulated? But I've read the FAQ and have no idea how to make it better. I'm curios if you can advice me.

Maybe is SO not the right place for such questions? If so, I'd see it as a needless constraint.

To be more concrete, this is the [question](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/4914774/better-regex-syntax-ideas), which lead me to this one.

Please, spare me comments about whining.
I'm old enough not to whine because of some critiques.
I'm just asking how to solve a problem of mine.

Answer: 
I would say programmers.stackexchange.com

This is from its FAQ (emphasis mine):

* **Software engineering**
* Developer testing
* Algorithm and data structure concepts
* **Design patterns**
* **Architecture**
* Development methodologies
* Quality assurance
* Software law
* Programming puzzles
* Freelancing and business concerns
Stack Exchange, in general is setup for questions and answers rather than a discussion. So you are going to have to be tactful in the formulation of your question to avoid close votes. Plus you are going to have to give a clear goal ("question") of what you are looking to solve so that everyone stays on the same course with answers.