[eveningcoffee]

I agree with you. But I think that you actually prove that this is not that absurd question at all because you actually described exactly the content of this question and why it is asked about (at least in my opinion).

Naturally if there is no option for the discussion when somebody does not know the answer off the top of their head then this would be really absurd and pointless situation.

This question is not good for selecting out somebody for their specific knowledge, but it is in my option a good one to prune out candidates that manage to demonstrate their general ignorance about the field.

[wutbrodo]

> Naturally if there is no option for the discussion when somebody does not know the answer off the top of their head then this would be really absurd and pointless situation.

Ah ok, I guess I misunderstood you. Though this "absurd and pointless situation" does in fact happen: There definitely is a class of interviewer who will expect off-the-top-of-your-head detailed knowledge (like being able to remember bubble sort's details from just its name).