the XY problem
expressionIT supportprogramming
Asking for help with your attempted solution (Y) instead of your actual problem (X) - and burning everyone's time on the wrong question.
The support-forum classic: 'how do I extract the last 3 characters of a filename' when the real goal is the extension. The cure is on both sides: askers state the underlying goal; helpers ask 'what are you actually trying to do' before optimizing the wrong path.
Also known as: XY problem