I have asked some questions about why a specific programming language does not have a specific feature. They seem to have unpredictable/mixed reception as they are sometimes but not always closed as lacking focus or opinion-based.

I do not see how they are unfocused if they focus on one feature on one language. There are specific reasons why a feature was chosen to not be left out in a certain language. I could see how Why do many languages not support named parameters? gets closed because the question does not focus on one language only and thus invites list-style answers for any number general reasons not to add the feature. But if the question focuses on one language only then the reasons are limited to those specific to the language.

I am confused because both Why does C not support direct array assignment? and What prevents Java from having immutable primitive arrays? are examples of my questions that specify a language and a potential feature and ask Why not? I see both as equally valid questions but the first one was well-received but the second one was poorly received.

• What are the guidelines for asking these types of questions in a way that will not come off as opinion-based or lacking focus?
• What was right with my first question but was wrong with my second question? How can I improve my second question?

Update: After some struggle I got my Java question undeleted:

I have asked some questions about why a specific programming language does not have a specific feature. They seem to have unpredictable/mixed reception as they are sometimes but not always closed as lacking focus or opinion-based.

I do not see how they are unfocused if they focus on one feature on one language. There are specific reasons why a feature was chosen to not be left out in a certain language. I could see how Why do many languages not support named parameters? gets closed because the question does not focus on one language only and thus invites list-style answers for any number general reasons not to add the feature. But if the question focuses on one language only then the reasons are limited to those specific to the language.

I am confused because both Why does C not support direct array assignment? and What prevents Java from having immutable primitive arrays? are examples of my questions that specify a language and a potential feature and ask Why not? I see both as equally valid questions but the first one was well-received but the second one was poorly received.

• What are the guidelines for asking these types of questions in a way that will not come off as opinion-based or lacking focus?
• What was right with my first question but was wrong with my second question? How can I improve my second question?

I have asked some questions about why a specific programming language does not have a specific feature. They seem to have unpredictable/mixed reception as they are sometimes but not always closed as lacking focus or opinion-based.

I do not see how they are unfocused if they focus on one feature on one language. There are specific reasons why a feature was chosen to not be left out in a certain language. I could see how Why do many languages not support named parameters? gets closed because the question does not focus on one language only and thus invites list-style answers for any number general reasons not to add the feature. But if the question focuses on one language only then the reasons are limited to those specific to the language.

I am confused because both Why does C not support direct array assignment? and What prevents Java from having immutable primitive arrays? are examples of my questions that specify a language and a potential feature and ask Why not? I see both as equally valid questions but the first one was well-received but the second one was poorly received.

• What are the guidelines for asking these types of questions in a way that will not come off as opinion-based or lacking focus?
• What was right with my first question but was wrong with my second question? How can I improve my second question?

I have asked some questions about why a specific programming language does not have a specific feature. They seem to have unpredictable/mixed reception as they are sometimes but not always closed as lacking focus or opinion-based.

I do not see how they are unfocused if they focus on one feature on one language. There are specific reasons why a feature was chosen to not be left out in a certain language. I could see how Why do many languages not support named parameters? gets closed because the question does not focus on one language only and thus invites list-style answers for any number general reasons not to add the feature. But if the question focuses on one language only then the reasons are limited to those specific to the language.

I am confused because both Why does C not support direct array assignment? and What prevents Java from having immutable primitive arrays? are examples of my questions that specify a language and a potential feature and ask Why not? I see both as equally valid questions but the first one was well-received but the second one was poorly received.

• What are the guidelines for asking these types of questions in a way that will not come off as opinion-based or lacking focus?
• What was right with my first question but was wrong with my second question? How can I improve my second question?

Update: After some struggle I got my Java question undeleted:

I have asked some questions about why a specific programming language does not have a specific feature. As I see them, they are not necessarily opinion-based, because while a question such as 'Should X language have Y' be a matter of opinion, asking for the objective reasons as to why one might consider not including a certain feature is a matter of fact.

However, I could see how such questions could be on the broad end. Unless I specifically mention possible reasons and asking if/why they apply or mention possible contrary reasons and asking why they do not apply, the question is lacking in focus, because asking 'why' without enough context could result in any number of possible answers.

Most of such questions seem to have mixed reception. Some upvotes and some downvotes and maybe a close vote. As such, these questions seem to straddle the scope of the site.

Are these questions actually on-topic for the site? If so, what are the guidelines for asking them in a way that will not come off as opinion-based or lacking focus?

I have asked some questions about why a specific programming language does not have a specific feature. They seem to have unpredictable/mixed reception as they are sometimes but not always closed as lacking focus or opinion-based.

I do not see how they are unfocused if they focus on one feature on one language. There are specific reasons why a feature was chosen to not be left out in a certain language. I could see how Why do many languages not support named parameters? gets closed because the question does not focus on one language only and thus invites list-style answers for any number general reasons not to add the feature. But if the question focuses on one language only then the reasons are limited to those specific to the language.

I am confused because both Why does C not support direct array assignment? and What prevents Java from having immutable primitive arrays? are examples of my questions that specify a language and a potential feature and ask Why not? I see both as equally valid questions but the first one was well-received but the second one was poorly received.

• What are the guidelines for asking these types of questions in a way that will not come off as opinion-based or lacking focus?
• What was right with my first question but was wrong with my second question? How can I improve my second question?