How Much Do Programmers Rely on Memory vs Resources?

For me, after years in the same language, I hardly ever need to reference anything. But that's largely because I have a massive codebase filled with examples to consult if needed. It’s a great resource to have at your fingertips.

Most of the common syntax and library functions I have memorized. But when it comes to obscure library calls or less-frequently-used features, I'm definitely looking those up. It's all about striking the right balance!

It really varies! If you're working on familiar tasks, you'll often code from memory. But when tackling new challenges, don’t hesitate to look things up. There’s a ton of specialized knowledge out there that can save you time and effort, so a little research might just enhance what you're trying to accomplish.

You tend to remember what you frequently use. I’m currently focused on C++, so I can code without even thinking about it. But when I switch back to something like Python, I need to look things up again. It’s like muscle memory, but over time, I’ve built a library of problem-solving methods that help guide my coding, regardless of the language.

Memorizing specific code isn't the biggest deal in programming. You'll get good at remembering the core concepts and structures, but what really matters is your problem-solving ability. Breaking down tasks and understanding the language's terminology makes it way easier to find solutions when you need to research.