For example, ask them to write code to access a database, let them view the DBI docs if they haven't done this before.

Excuse me? I refuse to write a single line of code without having the documentation in plain view at all times (not just if i haven't done it before).

Now it is true in the case of DBI i personally wouldn't really need to, but come on, it's so easy to forget function/method names, that not having the docs in plain view you are in effect resorting to shooting in the dark (also known as suicide).

MJD says you can't just make shit up and expect the computer to know what you mean, retardo! ** The Third rule of perl club is a statement of fact: pod is sexy.