[GotAnyMegadeth]

> someone who uses things they don't understand without looking at the documentation is stupid

I disagree, that's sometimes the best way to learn something. I learnt C, Java and Perl just by ploughing in without reading anything. Change something, see what happens, if it doesn't make sense ask Google.

Also programming languages aside, I never read computer game manuals before playing

[Mithaldu]

If you'll allow me a bit of pedanty, that's learning and playing, not using. :)

I learned Perl the same way and play my games the same way, but when i write code that'll be used for anything that isn't frivolity, out comes the documentation to ensure the code doesn't destroy cash (or worse, lives) by the fistful.

[GotAnyMegadeth]

Good point. If someone's life depended on it, I probably would read the Street Fighter manual, just in case