How much of programming documentation should I actually memorize?

This is a phase you’ll get through! Initially, it feels like you’re glued to the documentation, but eventually, the essentials will stick. For any niche stuff, don't hesitate to look it up when you need it.

Honestly, nobody memorizes documentation! What's more important is picking up the patterns and concepts of the programming language or framework. As you advance, you’ll develop the skill to find what you need in the docs, and many IDEs make it even easier by showing relevant documentation right in the editor, which cuts down on constant referencing.

I think consulting documentation is an essential part of software development. I don’t memorize much and only remember the frequent ones. C++ standard library, for example, has so many functions that I only memorize what I use repeatedly. Instead of stressing about memorization, just know where to find information and let the usage you get from repeated tasks help you remember the important bits.

Use the 80/20 rule when it comes to docs. You only need to grasp about 20% of the documentation to do 80% of your work. Absorb core concepts, skim through the rest for a basic understanding, and dive into practice. The great thing about real-world programming is there's no pressure like a closed book test—you can always refer back to the documentation as needed!

Over time, you'll naturally memorize the parts of the documentation that you use frequently, which will be different based on your projects. Your experience with various tools will help too! But regardless, I think it's healthy to keep referring back to the docs for those uncommon functions or behaviors you might not use often.

You shouldn't aim to memorize all of it. It's better to focus on learning what you need to improve your skills. The basics are crucial—things like the fundamentals of the language and good practices. After that, you’ll find that sticking to what’s relevant for your current project is more efficient. Plus, the tech world is constantly changing, so keeping it flexible is key!