Question: After asking the question *[Can we have a code only reason for deletion?](https://meta.stackoverflow.com/questions/312678/can-we-have-a-code-only-reason-for-deletion)*, it seems to be clear that code-only answers should not be deleted.

**Why** are code-only answers in the low quality review queue, if they should not be deleted?

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There are a lot of similar questions, but they are not asking the same thing.

For example, *[What to do with code-only answers in Low Quality Posts queue?](https://meta.stackoverflow.com/questions/300694/what-to-do-with-code-only-answers-in-low-quality-posts-queue)*.

Answer: 
Generally, they get into the LQP queue because someone is silly enough to flag them as VLQ or NAA. Sometimes the automated heuristics shove them in, presumably because they're very short or something.

In any case, there are a few ways they can then leave the queue:

* Recommend Deletion/Delete consensus. This is almost always wrong for code-only answers.
* Looks OK consensus. This is often the right choice. If unanimous or nearly so, declines the flag(s); otherwise, just disputes.
* Edit (from queue, or outside of queue in case of VLQ flag specifically I believe). This is occasionally the right thing to do if the explanation isn't difficult to add, or is already basically present. Always disputes the flag(s).
* ♦ mod action. Visibility in the mod queue is delayed by something like half an hour to allow a chance at community response.

As you can see, a flag can be handled either by a ♦ mod or by one or more 2k+ users. Unfortunately, the semantics are a bit different between these two handling queues, leading to confusion at times, but here the relevant point is twofold:

* *Someone* has to check those flags to see if there is the slightest bit of merit, and often that someone is you.
* Sometimes these flags will be declined by a ♦ instead of by the 2kers.
> 
> Why are code only answers in the low quality review queue, if they should not be deleted?
> 
> 
> 

Because people flag them ;) Not everybody knows when to and when not to flag a post.

> 
> Someone must be approving the flags?
> 
> 
> 

When an answer is flagged as VLQ the answer goes into the LQ queue, the flag is not reviewed before it enters the queue (that is what the queue itself is for).

Some additional info: [flagging a post as VLQ is saying "this post is crap, "cannot be salvaged and it should be deleted right away".](https://meta.stackoverflow.com/a/306133/1843331)