I really don't get the attitude that its insulting to ask for someone to show you some programming. You wouldn't hire a musician without seeing them play. I have interviewed plenty of expert non-beginning programmers who couldn't do shit. You can't find that out without asking them to code something. There are tons of people from large companies in my town who cannot do anything. I also worked at some of the large companies and ran into them.
How would you identify these people if you don't ask for programming problems.
How would you identify these people if you don't ask for programming problems.