Workaround Explained

A workaround is a bypass^[1] of a recognized problem or limitation in a system or policy.^[2] A workaround is typically a temporary fix^{[3] [4]} that implies that a genuine solution to the problem is needed. But workarounds are frequently as creative as true solutions, involving outside the box thinking^{[5] [6]} in their creation.

Typically they are considered brittle^[7] in that they will not respond well to further pressure from a system beyond the original design. In implementing a workaround it is important to flag the change so as to later implement a proper solution.^[8]

Placing pressure on a workaround may result in later system failures. For example, in computer programming workarounds are often used to address a problem or anti-pattern in a library, such as an incorrect return value. When the library is changed, the workaround may break the overall program functionality, effectively becoming an anti-pattern, since it may expect the older, wrong behaviour from the library.

Workarounds can also be a useful source of ideas for improvement of products or services.^[9]

Legal workarounds

When the legal system places an obstacle in the form of a restriction or requirement, the law may provide a possible workaround. Laws intended to tap into what may seem to be deep pockets may lead to what are at leasttemporary solutions such as:

• Since "most French workplace laws affect businesses with 50 or more employees... many French companies opt to employ only 49 people in avoidance of crippling legislations."^[10]
• An injunction against Microsoft regarding XML features and an easy technical workaround, a patent attorney suggested having two versions of MS Word, one with and one without the feature.^[11]

Acronyms

Some well-known acronyms were created to work around bureaucratic or contracting restrictions:

• PDP - The term was used to describe a computer by another name, due to contracting complications for purchasing or leasing computers. The term PDP (Programmed Data Processor or Programmable Data Processor) was a workaround.^{[12] [13] [14] [15]} The name "PDP" intentionally avoids the use of the term "computer".^{[16] [17]} PDPs were aimed at a market that could not afford larger computers.
• GNU - GNU's Not UNIX. As AT&T's prices for academic licensing and use of UNIX increased,^[18] new restrictions on maximum number of concurrent users and limitations on types of use^{[18] [19]} created a motivation for an alternative: a work-alike workaround. Among the better known ones are:
  • Linux
  • BSD
  • System V
• PSAP. By contrast with hearing aids, the sale of which is more regulated^{[20] [21]} and more expensive,^[22] a Personal Sound Amplification Product (PSAP) is lower in price albeit more limited in capability.

See also

• Bug
• Coping skill
• Design around, to design or invent an alternative to a patented invention that does not infringe the patent's claims
• Hack
• Jury rig
• Kludge
• Planned obsolescence
• Preventive maintenance
• Program temporary fix (PTF)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Workaround/Bypass on 3900 length limit on formula field.
2. Arif Wibisono, Ibrahim Alhassan, David Sammon, Ciara Heavin, Gaye Kiely, Erma Suryani. 2019. Understanding Theory of Workarounds in Practice . Procedia Computer Science . 161 . 3. 187–194 . 10.1016/j.procs.2019.11.114. free.
3. "IT: a temporary method for dealing with a computer or software problem until a more permanent solution is found: One easy workaround is to ..."
4. Web site: work around - Definition . Cambridge English Dictionary.
5. "It requires that social workers think 'outside the box' - outside their normal frames of ...
6. Book: ndigenous Social Work Around the World: Towards Culturally Relevant . 978-0754648383 . Mel Gray . John Coates . Michael Yellow Bird . 2008. Ashgate Publishing .
7. Web site: Workaround [#1176558] ]. Drupal.org . 2 June 2011 .
8. Web site: How to Fix the 'A [?]' Autocorrect Bug in iOS 11 When Typing 'i' ]. 7 November 2017 .
9. Web site: Can't You Just Ask People? . TheAnthroGuys . 2014-08-08.
10. Book: Thinking Tech: Thoughts On the Key Technological Trends of Our Times . 978-1483595900 . Anurag Harsh . 2017.
11. Web site: 'Easy workaround' could solve Microsoft Word's legal woes, says expert. reuters.com . August 14, 2009.
12. VAS Demonstration . nasa.gov. October 1985 . Montgomery . H. E. . Uccellini . L. W. .
13. Web site: harvard.edu. New Market Disruption: The DEC Programmable Data Processor.
14. Book: Computers in Analytical Chemistry . 153 . 978-1483285627 . R Belcher . 2013. Elsevier . "The term PDP is an acronym for Programmable Data Processor ... the series was introduced by their manufacturer, Digital Equipment Corporation ..."
15. Web site: The History of Digital Equipment Corporation.
16. Book: Henderson . edited by Rebecca M.. Newell. Richard G.. Accelerating energy innovation : insights from multiple sectors. 2011 . University of Chicago Press. Chicago. 978-0226326832. 180.
17. Book: Huang . Han-Way. The atmel AVR microcontroller : MEGA and XMEGA in assembly and C. 2014 . Delmar Cengage Learning. Australia ; United Kingdom. 978-1133607298. 4.
18. Web site: Old licenses and prices .
19. restricting " universities that wanted to use the system for their internal business (e.g. student registration) as distinct from teaching and research
20. Since a licensed audiologist is required
21. News: Wall Street Journal . Neil DiSarno . Pros and Cons of Inexpensive Hearing Aids Called PSAPs. 22 June 2014 .
22. Web site: Kochkin, Sergei, Ph.D. . MarkeTrak VIII: Utilization of PSAPs and Direct-Mail Hearing Aids by People with Hearing Impairment.