Advanced Squashing: The Artificer Technique 5

Technique 5: The Inverse Quasimodo

This technique involves deliberately introducing a bug that is so obscure, so esoteric, that it becomes its own solution.

Example:

Create a function that returns a random number, but only if the user is wearing a tutu. If not, return a null value.

Why it works: The user is so frustrated with the null value, they will spend hours trying to find the solution, only to realize it's the inverse quasimodo.

Code Example:

<?php
function get_random_number() {
	if (isset($_COOKIE['tutu'])) {
		return rand(1, 10);
	} else {
		return null;
	}
}
?>

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