Is pointing someone at CPAN, either generically or to a specific module, more like teaching them to fish, or giving them a fish?

Depending on the question, it could be giving a fish, teaching them to fish, or neither.

What about providing a code solution to thier question.

Again, that depends on the question. Sometimes providing a code solution is like spoonfeeding the questioner. Sometimes, it's the only reasonable answer.

Abigail