Jon, Just perhaps the user is not the end person but rather the System Analyst. As a former analyst, I often read the code during the testing phase. I found it to be helpful and documentation is essential as the iterations accumulate. It can be very worthwhile. Still the onus is on the instructor to clarify his/her requirements.

Always remember to ask lots of questions of "users." Most of the time you will find they aren't expressing their needs clearly. Best of luck.

bflat